Businesses are increasingly taking up the option of online database management systems as it is convenient to incorporate into their operations. Other than the obvious benefit of having the database online, thus increasing the ease of accessing information from anywhere around the world, there are other benefits that are not commonly realized at first glance.
Advantages of Web-Based Databases
Investing in web-based database management software allows employees to maintain access and simplifies the tracking of valuable information on the database. The process of using such software involves access of a website to store, modify and manage data. For an organization that considers moving their database online, it is highly recommended that the benefits of the solution be at hand for optimum exploitation of this service.
Save Capital
Online database software saves organizations a great deal of money, as it is an alternative to buying a software program for the company. This method conventionally involves paying for a software program and an additional cost of licensing for every computer that uses it. This translates into high cost. Using an online database, however, is cheaper as computers used access the software online. In addition, the cost of investing in servers for storage of data is eliminated.
Flexibility
There is flexible use in online database software as a business only pays for the storage space they consume. This eliminates the trouble of purchasing new servers when there is growth or eliminating servers when they are not needed any more. This thus simplifies scaling up or down in an organization as one need not worry about extra costs from servers or database management.
Technical Support
Another benefit is that the burden of technical support is lifted from the company and goes to the organization offering the online database management software as a service. If there are any problems with the database management system, the organization is contacted and they are responsible for maintenance as it is always stipulated on the contract. The IT department of the company receiving the service can therefore focus on other issues.
Easy and Collaborative Access
Using online database software allows all employees access vital information regardless of their location. Therefore, as long as one has access to the internet, work can be done at any time as information is available 7 days a week, 24 hours a day. An added benefit to this is that employees at different locations can work on a project seamlessly despite not being in the same geographical area.
Data Security
Having the company’s information on some specific hardware poses a huge liability for a company in terms of data security. The hardware can crash, or get destroyed by natural calamity, risking loss of a large amount of data. Having online databases, however, increases data security. Data can be protected on the cloud through passwords and high levels of encryption. They, therefore, eliminate finicky hardware that is unreliable, and sophisticated to implement.
Gathering Information Online
Having the database online allows data to be collected through web forms with cloud computing solutions. Information can be easily collected from customers and employees, and then automatically entered as a new record into the database. These web forms come in several templates and companies can further customize them as required. Information can also be gathered through tables in emails. An online database therefore increases the number of ways information can be collected, stored, and simplifies collection of information.
Globalized Workforce
Several companies have gone global, while others have it in their long-term plans. Going global is accompanied with challenges on data exchange and global communication. Online databases offer a perfect solution through cloud computing. Data can be accessed from anywhere in the world, as long as there is an internet connection.
Increase Project Efficiency
Project management involves a plethora of individuals and tools to be effective. By having a pre-built application in a matter of minutes by using the online database allows projects to be deployed faster. These pre-built applications an easily be customized to suit ones needs thus increasing project efficiency.
Even the Playing Field
Small organizations face high competition from large organizations in the same line of business. With online database software, small organizations are at liberty to make use of some of the tools used by the large organizations, thus allowing them a fair chance at competing. They do not need to purchase big servers used by Fortune 100 companies that do not fit their budget. They simply pay for what they need.
You can create your online database using the following web-based platforms:
