D a t a b a s e E n v i r o n m e n t P a p e r | 1

Database Environment Paper

David McKinney

DBM/380

March 16, 2015

Instructor: Scott Cain

D a t a b a s e E n v i r o n m e n t P a p e r | 2

Currently at my employer Mortgage Network has asked me to analyze the current system

that we have in place for tracking computer assets. The issue that we have is that the current

system is still in the ways of the old. We have a filing cabinet full of paper that goes back the last

seven years. The problem with this is that we have no way of quickly locating what computer

belongs to which user or if that user has been given a new laptop. This really creates a problem

when we have audits performed from the various states that we do business in. We also run a lot

of Microsoft based equipment and software that he no tracking for which means the company

could be in hot water should Microsoft decide to audit. This is why a database is important to

have at Mortgage Network. It will be a very time consuming task to complete as there are daily

tasks that are to be completely and the support of our end-user is top priority.

The main objective for creating a database for Mortgage Network’s assets is to have them

all centralized and user friendly when entering new data and also retrieving data from the system.

Mortgage Network has many locations that stretch from Maine to Florida with approximately

400 end-users. This means that we have computers and devices stretched up and down the east

coast with some users having desktops and laptops as well as having dual screens. If we can’t

track the assets that we have actively in use and new users are coming on and joining Mortgage

Network on a weekly basis, this means that new equipment will need to be order costing the

company more money than needed to supply the end-users with the tools needed to performed

their jobs.

The development of the database will follow the Database System Development

Lifecycle (DSDL). The lifecycle according to "Av Computer Services (UK) Ltd" (2015)

website starts with “requirements analysis, which is where we find out what is needed to for the

company. This includes hat type of database will be used and how large of a database is needed.

D a t a b a s e E n v i r o n m e n t P a p e r | 3

The second step is the design of the database; this is where decisions are made on the type of

database that will be used that will best fit the company requirements. Evaluation and Selection

will follow by performing tests to evaluate if requirements are being met. “(Phases in Database

Development Life Cycle). Av Computer Services (UK) Ltd" (2015) website sates that the design

of the database will be the next step which is where tables are built with indexes and access

privileges. This is then followed by physical database design, implementation, data loading,

testing and performance tuning, operation and maintenance. By following this lifecycle it will

allow me to provide Mortgage Network a database that fits the scope of the defined requirements

for the company.

The database will be constructed through the use of MS Access 2010. The MS Access

software will allow me to create tables and fully customize the database to Mortgage Networks

expectations. According to Microsoft (2015), “Access is an easy-to-use tool for quickly creating

browser-based database applications. Access can also be deployed through SharePoint as well as

having data stored in SQL Server. This is a perfect match for Mortgage Network as a lot of

backend development is written and deployed through SQL .“

The creation of the database will consist of three primary entities that will include

attributes for each. According to "Techopedia" (2015), “entities are referred to as individual

things, including people, concepts or objects with data that is first stored in a database

management system (DBMS) and has attributes and relationships to other entities”(Phases in

Database Development Life Cycle). The entities that I have selected are systems, licensing keys

and users. I feel these are the most important parts to tracking the assets at Mortgage Network as

well as their attributes. The systems entity will include, Computer Make and Mode, Service Tag,

Company Asset number, Configuration Date, Warranty End Date and System in Use or

D a t a b a s e E n v i r o n m e n t P a p e r | 4

Available. While the Licensing Keys will contain all the keys for Microsoft Office, Adobe, and

Other Software Keys that are installed on users machines. The Users entity will contain a list of

all users at Mortgage Network as well as their office location, Computer Service Tag and

Computer Model. These entities and attributes will cover everything that the company is looking

to track and will also allow for a centralized location to find assets as well as run reports should

the company be audited.

D a t a b a s e E n v i r o n m e n t P a p e r | 5

REFERENCES

AV Computer Srvices (UK) LTD. (2015). Retrieved from http://www.avcs.co.uk/phases-in-database-

development-life-cycle-2/

Microsoft. (2015). Microsoft Office Access. Retrieved from https://products.office.com/en-us/access

Techopedia. (2015). Retrieved from http://www.techopedia.com/definition/14360/entity-computing