Kudler Fine Foods Database Analysis Essay -- Business Database Invento

Kudler Fine Foods Database Analysis Overview Kudler Fines Foods is a rapidly growing small business located in Southern California. Founded in 1998, Kudler specializes in providing quality gourmet foods to a wide range of customers. When Kudler opened its first store back in 1998, Microsoft Access was chosen as the database platform used to track inventory, orders and customers. While this initially proved to be an adequate solution, it has since outgrown its usefulness. Now with three stores and a fourth due to open soon, a new database management system must be put into place. One of the most detrimental problems with the Microsoft Access database is that it is limited to a file size of only two gigabytes. While this may initially seem like a large files size, it can rapidly grow and eventually reach this maximum size in a relatively short amount of time. This one drawback alone is reason enough to pursue a better solution. Another aspect of Microsoft Access that does not scale well is that it will not accommodate multiple users simultaneously. The database needs to be updated continuously by multiple users at each store. Running one instance of Microsoft SQL Server 2000 in a centralized location could easily handle the database needs of all of the store locations. Connections to the database could be made via Virtual Private Network (VPN) connections over the Internet. Updates to the database can be further streamlined by developing and utilizing a web based interface. The best solution for Kudler Fine Foods would be to implement an enterprise level database solution. Microsoft SQL Server 2000 would be a great fit for the database needs of Kudler Fine Foods. Microsoft SQL Server 2000 will easily meet the current needs of Kudler Fine Foods and also meet their needs of the future as they continue their growth. Existing Database Overview Currently the Kudler database contains nine tables. Each table is designed to support and facilitate the filling of orders placed by customers in the stores. Based upon the description of the tables that was posted on Kudler’s intranet and our analysis, the tables may be described in the following manner: The Customer table contains demographic data for each of Kudler’s customers. The data in this table is used to access the name and address of customers for order processing and for special maili... ... in Windows NT would automatically change and update the SQL Server password. If separate logins are desired, they will also be possible with the Mixed Authentication offered through Microsoft SQL Server 2000. The security settings will be able to be further customized by the use of permissions and roles. A permission allows a user to do something within the database, whether it is accessing and manipulating data or creating new objects within the database. These settings can be individualized, or given to a group of users by roles. Grouping the users into roles, either server or database roles, allows a way to assign permissions to multiple users at one time. For example, a salesperson would not have the same permissions as a manager probably would. Conclusion   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  The changes and updates that we have outline throughout this paper would greatly improve and enhance Kudler’s operations. This would be a much more effective, efficient database that would not only serve them well today, but allow for growth for tomorrow. References Developer.com – Retrieved on June 3, 2005, on the World Wide Web:   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  http://www.developer.com/tech/article.php/10923_721441_1