Entity Relationship Modeling - The Database Analysis Team - A Teamwork
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The importance of a professional database analysis team cannot be overstated. The complexity and degree of computer involvement in the business is constantly growing. No wonder; each 18th month, we can buy hardware with twice the performance at the same price. We are therefore able to put more demands on our software, until we reach some limit. However, it only takes another 18 months; then we can buy new hardware without these limits... and so on.
There is also a good reason for it: We may very well rely on a standard system for our accounting or payroll routines, we can use market standards in word processing and spreadsheets, and so on. What separates a high-performing business from a failure is the way the CUSTOMER is reached for, and how he is treated.
That is customer marketing and customer care. The customer is always the business. If you do not have customers, you do not have a business. If such a business exists, however, please let me know.
Such systems, systems that give the business an advance compared to its competitors, we may call strategic systems. If two businesses buy the same strategic system from the shelf, then they do not gain any system advantage towards each other.
On the other hand, the business that is fastest to respond, and deliver, and at the same time is competitive, will definitely have an advantage. In a world with rising competition and globalization, this will grow more and more important. Good news for the software industry and the analysis team...
In the analysis stage, we need an analysis team of both business experts as well as experienced system analysts. In addition, we need tools that can help us see the overall picture, as well as help us in the future. Top business experience is required in the analysis team in order to get in-depth understanding of the business itself.
Remember: Our model, at this stage in development, must reflect the business, not some constraints given by any tool or personal preferences. This happens all too often and usually with not-too-good results.
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