Shulou(Shulou.com)05/31 Report--

In this issue, the editor will bring you about how to build database applications in the way of DIY. The article is rich in content and analyzed and described from a professional point of view. I hope you can get something after reading this article.

When building, deploying, and maintaining database management systems, common systems often fail to meet all requirements and applications. By leveraging a variety of software options (local, off-the-shelf, and open source tools), enterprises can effectively customize and adapt their systems to meet specific needs and even achieve cost savings.

Eddie Zaldivar, senior director of paid media and analytics at Inseev Interactive, an Internet marketing service, said: "if Excel cannot meet your needs and there is no IT staff to help, then you will need a DIY database management system." Zaldivar was frustrated because he couldn't find a database management system that was adaptable enough to handle the insights of his marketing team. To this end, he decided to create a customer database because it is much cheaper than commercial system products and is more customizable. After taking a course at software maker Qwiklabs, he built the company's first prototype database within hours and ran Google Ads data.

"I worked in some form of marketing company for more than 15 years, and during that time, we only had a really viable database," he recalls. " He said that the IT departments of these companies understand equipment requirements or how to build basic databases, but when building marketing-specific database applications, IT departments do not understand marketing data or how to generate tables and data schemas for marketing teams.

Piping and API

One of the biggest challenges facing Inseev is to create pipes to integrate data from various Internet keyword tracking platforms and their business applications into a single database. The SEO-focused company has worked with a number of data engineers on crowdsourced services to build data pipelines.

"at first, everything was fine, but every time the platform released a new API update, our pipeline was interrupted," Zaldivar said. " This causes the database to stay offline for days or even weeks. Data pipelines do not work once and for all; they need to be continuously monitored, including preparation for changes to the API.

In response to API changes, the company adopted the data pipeline service Supermetrics, which allows Zaldivar's team to focus on marketing. Supermetrics also provides an architecture to track the quality scores of keywords.

Inseev has also tried Google Search Console data provided by top data pipeline providers. However, accuracy is affected when exploring different levels of granularity, such as search queries, page views, and clicks.

Look for the right product

When building a database management system, Inseev found that some data providers assume that every enterprise uses the same data structure. This assumption requires Inseev data engineers to spend a lot of time setting up the original data source for the database so that it can be sorted out correctly.

For example, for Google Ads, to generate keyword statistics reports, data engineers must consolidate multiple tables to obtain customer names, advertisements, ad groups, keywords, and statistics. Supermetrics customizes the schema, so you don't need to consolidate separate tables to load data into the database.

Zaldivar believes that Inseev's DIY database management system can provide the company with a competitive advantage by integrating its team's marketing expertise with reliable data insights, thus helping to develop more targeted and effective sales and marketing activities. "judging from our size, the quality of the work and automation we create is excellent," he said. "

Customization brings more attempts

One of the biggest attractions of building databases with DIY is that you are free to try different ways of organizing data.

Sharon Faust, founder of Quick Base Junkie, a consulting, development and training company that uses cloud-based database software, said: "DIY database management system means that the platform I use is customizable and flexible to meet my needs. Making most of the business information accessible through the DIY database management system makes me much more productive and allows me to focus on the most important activities." Some of these activities include creating reminders to follow consulting leads, determining which sales activities are most effective, and managing cash flow.

"as the business grew, I added new applications, enhanced other applications, and even archived some early applications," she said. " The result is a variety of applications built for CRM, project management, content management, trail tracking, and finance.

Faust's experience in customizing her own database management system has also helped upgrade her company's products-by helping her customers customize their own database applications. "A lot of Quick Base users have in-house developers who are responsible for developing and maintaining applications, but when they have higher requirements or they don't have time to implement them, they contact us," she explained.

DIY trap

The DIY approach to building databases has advantages, depending on the application, the company's way of thinking, and the technical skills of employees. But there are traps, too.

Tony Baer, head of database and analytics consulting firm DbInsight, warned: "overall, I am skeptical about the claim that Excel' is' better than Excel." No pains, no gains, only when you clearly define goals, data sources, and key performance indicators, and importantly, with the right talent, will these approaches work. Otherwise, I prefer cloud-managed analytics or data warehouse services to a low-code / no-code approach to obtaining and integrating data and establishing self-service visualization. "

Faust's DIY database management system has encountered some problems and limitations. Her company provides a relatively simple programming model for building data flow from one table or application to another through relationships or automation. But this makes the cost of customization more challenging. "as long as you choose to use it right out of the box, there is a tradeoff between enhancements, cost and maintainability," she explained. "

Faust's marketing work is largely through social media. So far, she has not been able to include these indicators in internal business indicators in an automated way. Another problem surrounding DIY database management systems when building databases is the temptation to keep trying new ideas. "sometimes I have to ask myself whether changes or enhancements will bring benefits, or if it's just something I want to have or enjoy," says Faust.

To avoid these DIY traps, Faust recommends that you back up your database management system before making major changes, keep track of built applications and how to use them, and keep track of ongoing updates and changes. "as with any DIY system, these practices can have a big impact when accidents occur," Faust advises. "and sometimes I find that I can move forward without them."

This is how to build database applications in the DIY way that Xiaobian shared with you. If you happen to have similar doubts, you might as well refer to the above analysis to understand. If you want to know more about it, you are welcome to follow the industry information channel.

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