Every organization that is competitive in the global industry requires some type of database to collect, store (logically), format, and retrieve data. The database can consist of many complex pieces of software as well as having many options to choose from. The way to determine what types of database modeling that will be used is by interviewing. This is the key reason database design employ database modeling. There are different types of data modeling such as logical, physical, conceptual, and object-orientated. In the article Modeling for the future (1996) it discusses how modeling can be compared to using blue prints to build a house. The article states “If you don't have a definite plan in place, the project can fast become unwieldy” (Carreon, Wang, Yun, & Watt, 1996, p. 1). To create a database model certain tools are needed allowing the builder to accomplish this task. Three tools from the article that will be discussed and considered by a potential organization(Company A) needing a database model are Powersoft Corp.'s S-Designor Enterprise 4.2.1, Erwin ERX 2.5 from Logic Works Inc., and Bachman Information Systems Inc.'s solution.
The first tool that will be discussed is Powersoft Corp.'s S-Designor Enterprise 4.2.1. This model was given a “GOOD” by the article for features such as easy to create a logical data model and creating complicated data in a single worksheet. S-Designor Enterprise 4.2.1 also faired “GOOD” when it came to full or partial printing and diagraming. Another positive aspect is “S-Designor for PowerBuilder 4.2.1 supports generation for PowerBuilder Enterprise and includes ready-to-use templates from the PowerBuilder Application Library” (Powersoft, 1995). The issue with this tool was “An understanding of the ER diagram is essential when using S-Designor because its ER-definition prompt is complicated; although it can create a logical model based on business rules, defining those rules is confusing” (Carreon, Wang, Yun, & Watt, 1996,...