What is an example of a database in business?
If you’re hearing from your team or clients that you might need a database, the next logical question is…”What is an example of a database in business?” In this piece, we’ll explain why it’s so important to use the right tool to solve your business challenges and how a database can be one such tool.
Examples of databases for business
A business database could be an e-commerce platform like an online shop, auction site or catalogue. They also include healthcare systems like gym apps, fitness trackers and appointment schedulers. You could even consider social media platforms like Twitter and TikTok a database with a web or mobile app front end. Obviously, online banking systems, hotel booking engines and airline reservations are all databases (and pretty complex ones at that). But so are email & messaging services. They catalogue and store every message you get and send. Lastly, we don’t want to forget ride-hailing applications like Uber or online learning platforms like Duolingo; they run off complex databases.
What sort of data does each kind of platform work with?
Depending on what kinds of data you’re using, you’ll need unique functionality in your database. Here are a few examples:
- E-commerce platforms – product information, user data, payment details, transaction histories and inventory
- Healthcare systems – personal health data, workouts, appointments and goal progression
- Social media platforms – user profiles, posts, likes and comments
- Baking, hospitality, transport – sensitive financial, payment, booking and customer data
- Email & messaging services – messages, timestamps and sender or recipient info
- Ride-hailing applications – driver and rider data, payment info, live locations and ride histories
- Online learning platforms – user progress, lesson content, gamification and personalised learning recommendations
Why not just Excel
Excel just can’t handle volume or complexity past a certain point. We love RedSwitches explanation here, “From social media platforms to online banking systems and eCommerce websites to healthcare information systems, databases form the backbone of critical applications and services that we rely on for critical requirements. They enable efficient data storage, retrieval, and management, supporting personalized user experiences, streamlined operations, and data-driven decision-making. With their ability to handle vast volumes of data, ensure data integrity, and provide robust security measures, databases have become indispensable tools for organizations across all industries.” And they’re only getting smarter. With advancements in AI, low code or no code and a focus on ensuring the highest standards within database development; the proportion of businesses who go straight to database development without ever relying on Excel is actually growing.
Even very small businesses should consider if centralising their data in one database is a smarter move than going small and simple with Excel. Airtable explains that as “useful as they are, spreadsheets aren’t the best tool for every use case. Limitations like duplicate data and one-size-fits-all views make them tough to use for more complex use cases. Consider content calendars, project trackers, and UX research. When you’re tackling those uses, a database offers significantly more flexibility and power.”
Not sure what’s the best option for you? We’d love to support you in understanding the practicals behind our examples of a database in business and how they could help you. Talk to us today about your database structure for more help.
