Relational databases are not new technology. Commercially, they gained importance in the early 1980s with the introduction of Oracle's relational database, and since then they have been an essential tool for most businesses. Databases are critical tools that help to support various business functions in an organization. These information systems help a business to build and maintain competitive advantage. Databases not only support the operational levels of business-they are also used to support the activities of managers.
For this assignment, you will be analyzing the data in a simple, one-table database by creating queries and reports in Microsoft Access. The system you are "developing" will be used by The Queen's Inn in St. John's, Newfoundland for strategic business development purposes.
Remember that Access, Excel, and even FrontPage, are all tools. This assignment will help you discover how to use a database tool to support a business. You will be analyzing the data in the database and answering the questions in the exercise to create the queries and reports that are necessary to determine what the Inn's current business situation is.
• Analyze the data in the database and in the application exercise.
• To complete this assignment, you will need to do data calculations. Remember to follow good database practice here by not saving your calculations as part of the data table itself (they should appear only in your queries).
• Create queries and reports that will provide information to help management at the Queen's Inn to be more competitive and profitable. If you look at the original database you downloaded, you will see that it provides suggestions for the three reports that should be created for The Queen's Inn. These empty templates will give you an indication of what queries and reports you must create for this assignment.
Write a brief report (1-2 pages) describing what database information (from your analysis) would make the business more competitive and profitable. Your report must include, at a minimum, answers to the four questions in the last paragraph of the exercise on page 93 of the textbook.