DBTA E-EDITION
October 2024

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Trends and Applications

In today's digital landscape, delivering exceptional user experiences has become a top objective for businesses across industries. As applications and digital touchpoints increase, understanding user behavior within these platforms is crucial for driving product innovation and business growth. However, collecting, managing, and reporting on user data has traditionally been a complex and resource-intensive endeavor, often requiring significant engineering resources.

AI—both generative and machine learning/statistical—is essentially dead in the water without well-vetted, timely, quality data. This is holding back AI efforts more than anticipated, a recent survey finds. Data issues hampering AI were explored in a recent survey released by Precisely and Drexel University, which exposed widespread data trust issues and its impact on data and AI initiatives. Data quality and governance have hampered organizations for decades, and such deeply rooted distrust in the data is now being reflected in their embrace of AI output.

Software development has come a long way in the past few decades, but data management hasn't. It's time to change that. Despite automation becoming more ubiquitous, many engineering teams are still managing databases manually—a practice that can be time-consuming and complex, slowing down developers and impeding overall productivity. Additionally, current models force database administrators (DBAs) to work within silos, which creates logjams and communication lapses. It also leaves more room for error.


Columns - Database Elaborations

In multidimensional data modeling practice, there is the concept of a bridge dimension. A bridge dimension, being the dimensionalized equivalent of a normalized data design's associative entity, allows for the resolution of a many-to-many relationship. By its very nature, the bridge is saying, "Yes, let's normalize our dimensional designs." The bridge dimension exists to resolve a many-to-many relationship between two other dimensions.


Columns - DBA Corner

Database administration is a technical discipline, and it almost goes without saying that DBAs should be armed with significant technical knowledge. And this column typically covers the many diverse technology issues facing DBAs. However, there are non-technical qualities and aspects to the DBA role that are not as frequently discussed. So, this month we will proffer some guidance on non-technical areas for DBAs to focus on to make them more valuable to their employers!


Columns - SQL Server Drill Down

Picture this: A doctor receives an emergency call late at night. A patient has been brought into the emergency room with severe symptoms, and immediate access to their medical history is crucial. Within seconds, the doctor accesses the patient's electronic health records, seamlessly pulling up a comprehensive view of their health history. Thanks to a secure and reliable database, the doctor can make informed decisions quickly, potentially saving the patient's life.


Columns - Emerging Technologies

A healthy democracy depends on free and fair elections, which must also be believed to be fair. Most reputable accounts indicate that the U.S. 2020 presidential election was free of significant voter fraud. However, large segments of the population believe the election was unfair, and consequently, faith in democracy has been undermined. The results of the upcoming 2024 election—however it is determined—are bound to face challenges and disputes.


MV Community

RDM Infinity, a leader in legacy software solutions, is merging with Maverick Systems, founded in 1991 by MultiValue veteran Dick Thiot. With over 40 years of experience in the MultiValue community, Thiot has been instrumental in shaping the industry and is joining forces with RDM to further elevate its offerings.

Rocket Software is offering seven key initiatives for success in 2025 as the year draws to a close. By focusing on key practices in the fourth quarter, clients can enhance their operations, secure data, and foster talent within their team. According to Rocket Software, by planning strategically, upgrading systems, and investing in your team's growth, you'll be well-prepared to meet the challenges of the new year.

Zumasys, a leader in innovative ERP solutions, is announcing significant progress in migrating customers from the PICK MultiValue platform to Rover ERP, a modern, web-based ERP system. To date, Zumasys has successfully completed 10 customer migrations, with an additional 5 currently in progress, totaling 15 signed deals. This achievement, reached in just under three years, reaffirms Zumasys' commitment to helping businesses modernize and thrive in a competitive marketplace, the company said.

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