B5 - Databases in Construction firms

Databases are becoming more and more necessary for a construction firm or general contracting company in order to keep all of their processes and information streamlined and available throughout the construction of the project. In an article by Ozorhon, Karatas and Demerkesen, they outline three different types of databases in construction. They state that most companies database solutions may be relegated to one of the following three categories: fee-based project project management services, build it yourself services, or web enabled software services. The first type is advantageous because it minimizes the amount of time effort and money needed to be spent on the software itself because ASP's (Application Service Providers) can set up, maintain and remedy all issues related to the software. The drawbacks include the lack of customization that you would attain with the in house services. In house, build it yourself services seem to be most common among larger companies because they normally have the resources to develop their own applications and framework. They do this because they know how they would like to run a project and maintain schedules and information in a database. These services are usually unique to a company and will be the best option for any company provided they have the resources to fix it if something goes awry and develop it as their needs change. Web based services are the most advantageous in most cases because they result in the reduction of outsourcing and protection of information. It is basically a combination of the first two options.
Regardless of which type of services a construction firm uses, the importance is paramount. The databases contain all information needed by everyone in a construction company from the foremen to the CEO's. Making these databases smarter "relational" databases improves productivity.  This technology allows the tables and sets of data within a database to speak to each other which is important for construction because it allows users to pull up information about something and see the implications of modifying it. For example, complex schedules can be examined and manipulated while also showing information about each task on the schedule and materials or sub-tasks associated with the selected task. There are many options when it comes to relational databases such as Microsoft's SQL server, open source MySQL, Oracle and IBM.

Works Cited:

https://www.educba.com/database-management-system/

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S187704281402134X?via%3Dihub

https://www.featuredcustomers.com/blog/database-management-systems-and-their-impact-operations-management

Gabriel:
I found your post very informative. Everyone is posting about databases, however all of them assume you understand what they are and how they work already, when we only began touching on them in class. I actually think I understand what they are specifically now and how they work.

Laney:
Thank you for explaining how databases are incorporated into the programs we use everyday, I did not exactly know how they related. I think what you wrote about University students was very interesting because I never thought of it but now see the potential advantages of using these technologies.

Andy:
It's amazing that these concepts began so long ago (1970) and to see what they are like today. They will definitely continue expanding and becoming more robust like so you said and I am curious what the next huge breakthrough or change to modern practices will be.