Every business, one-man-show, small, medium or large, must work with databases if it has to survive and thrive in the ecommerce era.

1. 5 Tips to Choose the Right Database
Management Solutions for Small Business
This Presentation By
Shivam Technologies
Suite 1209, 530 Little Collins Street
Melbourne Victoria 3000
Australia
www.shivam.com.au

2. Database Management Solutions
Every business, one-man-show, small, medium or large, must work with
databases if it has to survive and thrive in the ecommerce era. Databases
hold just about everything – content, blogs, email lists, inventory, customer
lists, prospects’ lists, requests to customer service, and more. Databases
enable transactions and help business owners better understand existing
and potential customers. Without databases, there can be no ecommerce, no
MIS, no data mining, and even no Web 2.0 or 3.0 or 4.0+.
So, if a small business owner has to work with
databases, how should he choose from the multiple
database management solutions available in the
market?
www.shivam.com.au

3. Choosing an Efficient Database Management System
1. Business Size and Scalability
A small business may have limited database needs to start with, but
then it should consider that it will experience growth maybe after 6-12
months. Let’s take an example, a start-up may be able to manage its
database using MS Access from its desktop. However, as it starts
growing in a few months, it will feel the need for a more robust
database that is hosted on a cloud server, and is accessible 24/7. At
that time, database migration may eat away into precious time and
energy. So, database planning must be based on the medium-long term.
www.shivam.com.au

4. Large businesses that have 1,000s of computers should
work with mainframes
(IBM, Oracle) while medium businesses can work with an
open source or packaged solution (cloud-based or in-house
server-based). The database solution depends on the size
and scalability of the business.
2. Database Type
A database must be designed for the business and it must
support various relations and interactions. It must be
robust, flexible and speedy (for data retrieval). Databases
can be flat-file (limited scope, okay for small amounts of
data), relational (mostly used by small-medium
businesses), object-oriented (which can handle different
media formats), hierarchical (mostly used on mainframes
by large companies), and network databases (also mostly
used on mainframes). Every business owner must
therefore engage the technical folks working for the
database management system vendor, explain his business,
and then choose the right database system. Else, he can
always hire a database consultant.
www.shivam.com.au

5. 3. Affordability
Today, it is possible to get a database system for a
couple of hundred bucks. Complex systems cost
more. Start-ups should buy a basic system and then
upgrade it when the need arises. Many companies
now offer cloud-based SQL/NoSQL database
management systems at low prices, and many
business owners are opting for such solutions
because of their efficiency and affordability. Plus, the
maintenance and updates are taken care of by the
cloud vendor, and that lifts a big financial burden off
business owners’ shoulders (because otherwise they
2
would have to hire a database maintenance crew).
www.shivam.com.au

6. 4. Vendor Quality
The database system developer must have a great track
record along with many satisfied customers. There’s no
point compromising on the developer to save a few
dollars. Business owners must realise that databases
must work efficiently and speedily on a 24/7 basis, and
also offer tight security. Therefore, it makes sense to buy a
database management system from a quality vendor.
Business owners who choose a cloud vendor must ensure
that the installed software is of high quality and that the
vendor running the cloud is reputed and experienced.
www.shivam.com.au

7. 5. Retrieval and Interaction
The database should hold complex data across different business areas and yet
move smoothly, speedily and efficiently. A slow-moving database can ruin the user
experience, alienate customers and drive them into the competitors’ arms. The
database also must be able to filter data and present concise reports that help the
management take appropriate decisions. It should also present information in a
variety of formats such as PDF, doc, spreadsheet, etc.
Every small business owner must take his time and choose the right software
from the plethora of database management solutions available in the market. The
tips given above will help all business owners zero in on the right database
system.
www.shivam.com.au

8. Shivam Technologies
Suite 1209, 530 Little Collins Street
Melbourne Victoria 3000
Australia
Phone: 1300 894 506
Fax : (03) 9614 5858
Email: info@shivam.com.au
Website: www.shivam.com.au