Although a database table might look like a spreadsheet, the capabilities of a
database management system (software engine behind the databases) are quite
different. For better understanding you might go to the Featured Samples (while
on the Home page in your Zoho Reports site) to see that after the initial tables
are created and filled with data, the rest of the database consists of various
queries (that could be saved for future easy customer use), reports, charts,
etc. All other database products, created from the data tables by using simple
and effective tools, allow to SEE and ANALYZE a LOT of DATA form MULTIPLE POINTS
OF VIEW, as compared to the relatively small amount in typical
spreadsheets.
Well designed and developed (in terms of convenient
analysis) databases - is what create added value to the initial data collection
often stored in some input “flat” files. Data warehouses (or smaller data marts)
are systems enhancing this analytical and decision support function of
organizational (and even personal) data.
In my professional capacity, I
was often asked by organizations that invested a lot of money into collection of
valuable data – to help them make better use of this information (bang for the
invested buck, if you want). This usually results into the development of an
information system with a database at its core (this is why they call them
“information systems” :)
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