Database Design Buyer's Guide

Custom database design tips

• Before seeking out custom database design, look for existing applications that can perform the functions you're looking for. Many custom database manufacturers may already offer databases tailored to specific verticals (example: automotive parts manufacturing). If your needs grow beyond what this type of database can handle, a designer can use it as a starting point to a custom database design solution.

• More fields in your custom database design provide better ways to sort your data. Breaking down large blocks of information into smaller pieces makes it easier to work with the data, obtain detailed reporting, and extract information.

• While it's valuable to have someone in-house that understands custom database design and administration, many small- to medium-sized companies may not be able to afford a dedicated IT team. You may want to weigh the costs of a full-time database administrator against a part-time consultant.
• Avoid using sensitive data, such as employee Social Security numbers, when identifying employees in a database. It could violate employee privacy, particularly if multiple workers have access to the database.
• Find out what backup system your vendor offers – whether it is an onsite storage server or offsite data backup. You need to ensure the information is protected in case of system failure or natural disaster.

• Whether it's already built into your custom database design or something you need to specify for your application, it's a good idea to have the database track changes. Not only do modification histories let you pinpoint who made a particular change, they also track exactly what changes were made, allowing you to revert to the original if necessary.
• If you have the right to own and modify the source code, make sure you receive copies of the original files, not just files that can run your application but cannot be modified.

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