====== Database Software Design for Information Management =====

NGOs <=====> IT Geeks

===== What is a Database? =====

- Information management system to store and process information

- A box of papers

- Collection of data in organised structure

- Library

- Software on a computer

===== Database Examples =====

- Library management software

- Baseline monitoring

- 10-year rainfall data of Bangkok

- Student information management

- Hospital

- Wordpress, WIKI

- Spreadsheet (baby database)

- Accounting transaction
===== Information Systems =====
What is the aim?

Every database should help us to know something, monitor changes, forecast etc.
==== Outputs ====
  * What is need
  * Who needs it
  * When is it needed
  * Why do they need it
==== Inputs ====
  * What is entered
  * Where is the input coming from
  * Who will enter it 
  * When do they enter it


===== Fundamentals of a Database =====
4 components of a database:

  * Tables
  * Queries
  * Forms 
  * Reports

===== Design Considerations =====

==== What Technology to Use ====
Example: 

** Access **
 - Microsoft, not open source, easy to use and install but not scalable, own database format

** Open Office - Base **
 - Free and Opensource (FOSS), other than own database format, it connects to MySQL and PostgreSQL database as well

** ASP + SQL Server **
 - Microsoft, not open source, high software cost, not easy to use and install but scalable

** PHP + MySQL **
 - FOSS, no software cost, not easy to use and install but scalable

** Oracle **
 - for really huge databases, got strip down version for free?



==== Offline vs. Online ====
 ** Online database **

User <===> Internet <===> Database server

- Good for multiusers at different locations
- Needs to be online all the time (doesn't work when Internet connection is down)

 ** Offline database **

- for in-house or localised use

Best is the combination of offline and online database, good example is Martus human rights bulletin system.



==== Who will Design the Database? ====
- In House 
- Consultant
- Free Open Source Software (maintained by a FOSS community)

Issues:

- better own the source code
- who can upgrade and maintain

===== Implementing the Database =====


==== Training ====
  * Do People have the skills
  * Capacity Building




==== Involve all the stakeholders ====
  * let everyone appreciate the implementation process, to make life easier.
  * it is a process of empowerment

User issues:
  * Fear of using computer and making mistakes
  * Don't want to change from old system
  * Extra work
  * Not enough time to learn new things
  * Cannot cheat the system
  * Making people redundant
  * too complicated
  * not enough training
  * no incentive


==== Data quality/accuracy vs. human resource ====
- People may not be trained to collect the data
- Check data entry to ensure that there aren't errors
- The outputs are only as good as the inputs