Activity 8.1: Selecting Data Access Technologies The process of identifying and selecting a data access technology is based on careful consideration of several factors, including the capabilities of each data access method. In the two exercises in this activity, you will identify the potential data stores to be used within the Ferguson and Bardell, Inc. system and the factors that need to be considered when choosing the system’s data access technology. Objectives After completing this activity, you will be able to: ! List the primary considerations for choosing a data access technology. ! Evaluate potential data access issues and choose the appropriate data access method for a given scenario. Before You Begin This activity is completed individually with a class discussion following each exercise. Time to complete this activity: 30 minutes Scenario Ferguson and Bardell, Inc.’s new time-entry system is used to keep track of hourly schedules for employees. Consultants enter timesheet information that is stored in Microsoft SQL Server ™ version 7.0 and accessed using both a Web interface and a custom application. Ferguson and Bardell, Inc.’s 620 traveling consultants enter time on a weekly basis, with an average of four time entries per day. Ultimately, this data is fed into the AS/400, DB2 accounting system and the proprietary invoicing system. A reporting system pulls client information, accounts receivable, and accounts payable data from an AS/400, DB2 database and invoicing data from a proprietary database that supports only ODBC connections, and stores the information for customized reports in SQL Server version 6.5. Managers and administrative assistants, who use Microsoft ® Windows NT ® Workstation, run reports. 48 Activity 8.1: Selecting Data Access Technologies The consultants have laptops and can use either the Web-based system or the custom application over the Internet to view and update information. The Web- based application is used mainly for lookups and quick entry of information. The custom application maintains a subset of data on the consultants’ laptops so that they can enter and update information offline and then update it when they reconnect to the Internet. The custom application supports both 16- and 32-bit clients. Exercise 1: Identifying Data Access Considerations In this exercise, you will identify and group the factors to be considered for accessing data in a set of scenarios. ! Identify data access considerations 1. Read this exercise’s scenario for additional information. 2. Identify the data stores and list them in the first column of the following table. 3. For each data store, list the data access considerations that have the greatest effect in determining a data access design. Data store Considerations When you have completed this exercise, you will discuss your answers with the class. Activity 8.1: Selecting Data Access Technologies 49 Exercise 2: Selecting Data Access Technologies In this exercise, you will select the appropriate data access technologies for the scenario outlined in this activity, taking into account both the scenario details and the data access considerations previously defined. ! Identify data access technologies 1. Examine the considerations identified in the previous exercise. 2. Identify candidate data access technologies for each data store identified in the previous exercise. 3. Record your answers in the following table. Data store Data access technology When you have completed this exercise, you will discuss your answers with the class. THIS PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK . your answers with the class. Activity 8. 1: Selecting Data Access Technologies 49 Exercise 2: Selecting Data Access Technologies In this exercise,. Activity 8. 1: Selecting Data Access Technologies The process of identifying and selecting a data access technology is based