What is a database and how can it help my business?
A database is a software program that stores a collection of data that can be easily sorted, searched, edited and added to as required. Databases make it easy to combine and extract important information in concise reports allowing you to make informed decisions.

This is useful for many purposes including:

• Customer contact information
• Sales data
• Employee/payroll information
• Inventory management
• Web content management systems

A few key benefits of a database are:

• Saves you time
• Helps you make informed decisions
• Helps you identify your best customers or prospects
• Improves your ability to target clients with direct marketing campaigns
• Helps streamline your business

Planning your database project
There are two key phases to creating a database: design and development.

The design phase includes these steps:

• Determine what you would like to do with the database. For example, run sales reports, produce mailing labels and form letters, track customer purchases and sales of specific items.
• Determine the types of information you need to have stored in the database. An example being customer contact information which would include name, company address, phone etc.
• From there, list the fields, records, forms and report types that you would like.
• Determine the layout of your forms and reports. You will need forms for things like data entry, order entry and for the reports you would like to run.
  

The development phase includes these steps:

• Creation of the tables.
• Definition of the fields. The data in a field can be limited to text, numbers, dates, times etc.
• Creation of the forms and reports for data entry and extraction.
• Creating and entering records in the database.
  

Cost of completing a database project 
The cost for a database design and development project can greatly vary depending on the type of database and the complexity that you are looking for. Typical costs can start at around a few hundred dollars for setting up a simple database in Microsoft Access to several thousands of dollars for very complex systems.

How to use Elance to complete your database project

1. Complete the project description with the following:

• A detailed description of what you will use the database for your business need.
• The type of database you would like to use or ask the provider recommend a software solution.
• The technical requirements such as operating system, programming language and size of the database.
• Whether you will require any technical support after the database is completed.
  

2. Once you start receiving bids, carefully review the provider's qualifications and portfolio.

3. Choose a service provider and begin working on the project. The typical database project will require the following steps:

• Information gathering on the part of the provider.
• Initial layout of the tables, forms and reports.
• Testing of the system including entering sample data and running sample reports.
• Data entry.
  

A well-planned database project can be simple and drive significant business results. If you need assistance in executing a database project, Elance Customer Service can help.

Key Terminology

Access: A common database program by Microsoft used by individuals and smaller organizations.
 
Database: An organized collection of information.
 
Data Entry: The process of entering data into the database.
 
Field: A single element of a table.
 
Flat File: A simple database structure consisting of a single table.
 
Foreign Key: A key used in one table to represent the value of a primary key in a related table.
 
Forms: Forms are customizable components of a database that allows a user to enter and extract information in a presentable fashion.
 
Index: Indexes are optional structures associated with tables that help speed the accessing of data from those tables.
 
Primary Key: A field that acts as a unique identifier for a record in a table.
 
Queries: A view of a collection of data from one or more tables.
 
RDBMS: Relational Database Management System- A program that lets you manage structured information stored in databases consisting of multiple tables.
 
Record: A record contains all the elements about a single unit in a table. This could be a sales contact including name, phone etc..
 
Relational Database: A database where all elements are stored in the form of simple tables with relationships among them.
 
Report: A form that allows users to view and print information from a database.
 
SQL Structured Query Language: - a standard query language used to simplify the process of extracting information from a database in a usable form.
 
Table: The main building block of a database. Tables are a single store of related information. They are similar to a spreadsheet in look and are used to store records which are made up of fields.