Short answer

For businesses operating across multiple locations, a well-designed distributed database is not just a technical requirement but a strategic asset for operational excellence and market advantage.

Field: Commercial Production
Source: ePublications at Regis University (Regis University) (2009)
Method: Case Study / System Development Lifecycle
Evidence: Strong effect

Implementing a distributed database system can significantly enhance operational efficiency and competitiveness for multi-outlet businesses by enabling effective data management. This commercial production research insight is drawn from a 2009 study published in ePublications at Regis University (Regis University). Using Case study / system development lifecycle, researchers explored how this design variable affects real-world outcomes. The key design takeaway: For businesses operating across multiple locations, a well-designed distributed database is not just a technical requirement but a strategic asset for operational excellence and market advantage.

Study

Commercial ProductionHigh ImpactStrong effect

Distributed Database Design for Multi-Outlet Retail Efficiency

Implementing a distributed database system can significantly enhance operational efficiency and competitiveness for multi-outlet businesses by enabling effective data management.

ePublications at Regis University (Regis University) · 2009

Key Findings

01Data is essential for business operations, service improvement, competitiveness, and profit increase.
02A distributed database system is a viable solution for multi-outlet businesses to manage their data effectively.

Application

Design takeaway

For businesses operating across multiple locations, a well-designed distributed database is not just a technical requirement but a strategic asset for operational excellence and market advantage.

How to apply

When designing systems for businesses with multiple branches, investigate the benefits and implementation challenges of a distributed database solution.

Project actions

01Clearly define the scope of the database and the specific data it will manage.
02Consider the network infrastructure and security implications of a distributed system.

Method & Evidence

AimWhat are the key stages and considerations in designing and implementing a distributed database for a small, multi-outlet retail business?

MethodCase Study / System Development Lifecycle

ProcedureThe research involved researching system requirements for a distributed database tailored to a movie rental and sales store with multiple outlets. The project then investigated the distinct phases of database development: planning, analysis, decision-making, implementation, and testing.

ContextRetail management systems, database design

Variables

IV["Database architecture (distributed vs. centralized)","Number of business outlets"]

DV["Operational efficiency","Data retrieval speed","Data consistency","Business profitability"]

CV["Type of business (e.g., retail)","Size of business (small)","Data volume"]

Strengths & Limitations

Strengths

+Addresses a practical business need for data management in a multi-location context.
+Covers the full lifecycle of database development.

Limitations

The complexity of setting up and maintaining a distributed database can be a significant hurdle for small businesses.

Reliability & validity

The reliability would depend on the consistency of the implementation and testing procedures. Validity is strong if the design directly addresses the stated business requirements for a multi-outlet system.

Think critically

How might the cost and complexity of implementing and maintaining a distributed database impact its suitability for a very small business with limited IT resources?

Design Principles

"Effective data management through distributed systems is fundamental to the success of multi-location enterprises."

For businesses with multiple physical locations, a centralized or distributed database is crucial for maintaining consistent data, streamlining operations, and providing a unified customer experience. This can lead to better inventory management, improved sales tracking, and more informed strategic decisions.

What This Means for Your Design

If a business has more than one shop, using a special computer system (a distributed database) helps them manage all their information from different places, making the business run better and earn more money.

How to use in your project

1.This research can inform the justification for choosing a particular database architecture in your design project, especially if it involves multiple user groups or locations.

Add to My Project

Quick Cite

Paragraph starter

The research by Grech (2009) highlights the critical role of distributed databases in enhancing operational efficiency for multi-outlet businesses. This study investigated the planning, analysis, implementation, and testing phases, concluding that such systems are vital for improving services, competitiveness, and profitability by enabling effective data capture, storage, and retrieval across various locations.

Source

ePublications at Regis University (Regis University)

Designing and Implementing a Distributed Database for a Small Multi-Outlet Business

journal · 2009

View source

Questions About This Research

What does the research say about distributed database design for multi-outlet retail efficiency?: For businesses operating across multiple locations, a well-designed distributed database is not just a technical requirement but a strategic asset for operational excellence and market advantage. Evidence: ePublications at Regis University (Regis University) (2009).
Why does "Distributed Database Design for Multi-Outlet Retail Efficiency" matter for design?: For businesses with multiple physical locations, a centralized or distributed database is crucial for maintaining consistent data, streamlining operations, and providing a unified customer experience. This can lead to better inventory management, improved sales tracking, and more informed strategic decisions.
How can designers apply this research?: For businesses operating across multiple locations, a well-designed distributed database is not just a technical requirement but a strategic asset for operational excellence and market advantage.
What were the main findings?: Data is essential for business operations, service improvement, competitiveness, and profit increase.. A distributed database system is a viable solution for multi-outlet businesses to manage their data effectively.
What research method was used?: Case Study / System Development Lifecycle.
How strong is the evidence?: Evidence strength is rated Strong effect, based on a 2009 journal from ePublications at Regis University (Regis University).
What should I do differently in my next project?: When designing systems for businesses with multiple branches, investigate the benefits and implementation challenges of a distributed database solution.
What are the limitations?: The study focuses on a specific type of retail business (movie rental/sales) and may not generalize to all multi-outlet businesses without adaptation.