Blog #5: Uses of databases in construction firms_Wenhan Fu

Database can be defined as an organized collection of data. In modern society, we usually refer it as the web-based database system. The advantages of it includes but not limited to the ability to process huge volumes of data; sharing between multiple concurrent users and lastly, minimize the human errors.

There are three most popular and widespread web-based database system in use. In the essay “A Web-Based Database System for Managing Construction Project Knowledge” from Belize Ozorhon et al, it stated that the three most commonly used systems are “the fee-based project management service, the build it yourself solutions and the web-enabled software for the construction industry” (Ozorhon, 2014). Each of them has its own advantages and disadvantages in their own prospective and are suitable for different types of company. For example, the fee-based project management services which is provided by an IT company, has advantages include low cost, need for less IT experience, however, there are also limitations regarding the volume of the data and others, this system will be more fit to the startup companies. On the contrary, the build-it yourself solutions allow the larger companies to process more heavily sets if data. It has its own limitations still including the investment requirements of the application, outsourcing and long development cycle.

To sum up, database is a modern technology for construction industry as well for the future to handling the large amounts of data. It will provide huge assists in multiple prospects. However, the limitations still exist. The main obstacle for the development of the databases is the types of databases has it own focus, and some of them will abandon some of the fixture in order to stand out in other criteria. The future development of the database in construction industry will be hugely focusing on the balance of the database and less complex for the none computer specialists.

Citation: Ozorhon, B., Karatas, C. G., and Demirkesen, S. (2014). “A Web-based Database System for Managing Construction Project Knowledge.” Procedia - Social and Behavioral Sciences, 119, 377–386.

Comments:

Harvin Bhandal: Your post on the relational database theory is interesting. It is unexpected the Retional Model was created way back to 1970. Also, there organize structure is also remarkable and still helpful in nowadays database development.

Yidi Li: My post has the same topic as yours. It is interesting the construction industry is one of the field databases actually can help a lot. I think the database will connect the industry even closer and we all can be benefit from it.

Maalik Kaptue: Your post give me a better understanding on how the database can help the design specialists. Indeed, even using the Revit to develop a project contains using the database. The development of  the Revit community is also the development of the database for the design firms.