Data is the lifeblood of your business. As a minimum it stores extensive information about your clients and products. Having a bespoke databaseAn organised collection of data which is stored and accessed digitally. A database allows users to import, export, create and modify large quantities of information. The difference between a database and a spreadsheet is the way in which data is stored - databases can draw on data from multiple sources to assist data retrieval, sorting and filtering depending on the required information. A spreadsheet is an electronic graph sheet that houses data in cells, and typically has more formatting features than a database. To find out about bespoke databases, click here. system that fits your precise and specific business needs will enhance your ability to smoothly run an efficient, profitable business. Any bespoke softwareTailored software made specifically to address the needs of a particular user. Bespoke software is designed with the user's needs in mind, as opposed to off the shelf software, which is designed to fit a general set of needs. The benefit of bespoke software is that you can integrate solutions that your competitors may not have, and create workflows that are adapted for your precise needs. Find out more about bespoke software here. applications that you may build or software development that you might need to implement for your business requirement will happen more quickly and with less stress, hassle and cost if the existing database fully matches your specific business model. This is where bespoke databases come in.
A simple example could be if a customer database uses account numbers that consist of 3 sets of identifiers which give immediate useful information about the client. A non bespoke database may not be able to easily handle a 3-part account numbering system. This example is merely the tip of the iceberg – as you delve more deeply into your specific data, there will be many areas where having an expertly designed bespoke database structure can make a real difference. It doesn't need to be repeated that reporting insights are what give you the power to make quick and correct decisions. The quality of your reports is directly proportional to the close fit of the database to your particular business.
Point100 has extensive knowledge in the field of designing and building bespoke databases. Our teams include experts of many years' experience that have the know-how to design the database structure from the ground up. This means that besides being useful for the present business requirement, the database will also be able to grow with the business without forcing extensive and expensive changes.
As an example of our work, one of our clients required the ability for their team to easily and quickly set up promotions on their website to enhance sales. An enormous amount of flexibility was required. For instance, they needed to be able to start and stop a promotion from their own computers in the future, set promotions that would stop automatically once stock reached a certain level, and launch promotions that would last just an hour or so. In addition, they needed total flexibility in creating the types of promotion. This could include which products to promote, whether to provide a percentage discount, allow an item free based on a minimum purchase, and so on. The possibilities were almost endless, and this could only have been achieved with a supremely skilled bespoke database design.
We at Point100 pride ourselves on our close communication and contact with our clients. There are team members that will spend as much time as is necessary with our clients to fully understand your requirements. Once the specification has been properly and extensively captured, we have the skills to convert that detailed information into 'technical speak' so that the developers have a robust understanding and are able to develop the bespoke database accordingly. Our clients that enjoy being involved at the deep technical end of the work may do so too. We generally use the Agile methodologyThe Agile Methodology is a system for managing projects by breaking them up into smaller phases, or 'sprints'. It involves constant collaboration with stakeholders and continuous improvement at every stage. This is particularly effective when trying to save resources and allocate time efficiently, as specialists are only required for specific sprints, as opposed to paying for their time throughout an entire project when they are needed for one part. Find out more about how the Agile Methodology works in a development context here. for development and our clients are welcome to join the meetings whenever they feel like doing so.
