30, Introduction to Databases Cost of DBMSs ‘The cost of DBMSs varies signiticantly, depending on the environment and func- tonality provided. For example, a single-user DBMS for a personal computer may conly cost £100, However, alarge mainframe multi-user DBMS servicing hundreds of users can be extremely expensive, perhaps £100,000 to £500,000. There is also the Fecurrent annual maintenance cost, which is typically a percentage ofthe list price. Additional hardware costs The disk storage requirements for the DBMS and the database may necessitate the Purchase of additional storage space. Furthermore, to achieve the required perform. ance, it may be necessary to purchase a larger machine, perhaps even a machine ¢edicated to running the DBMS. The procurement of addtional hardware results in funher expenditure, Cost of conversion In some situations, the cost of the DBMS and extra hardware may be insignificant compared with the cost of converting existing applications to run on the new DBMS and hardware. This cost also includes the cost of training staff to use these new systems, and possibly the employment of specialist staff to help with the Conversion and running of the system. This cost is onc of the main reasons why some organizations feel tied to their current systems and cannot switch to more modem database technology. The term legacy system is sometimes used to refer to an older, and usually inferior, system, Performance Typically a file-based system is written fora specific application, such as invoicing. ‘Asa result, performance is generally very good. However, the DBMS is written to be more general, o cater for many applications rather than just one. The effect is ‘that some applications may not run as fast any more. ‘Higher impact of a failure ‘The centralization of resources increases the vulnerability of the system. Since all users and applications rely on the availability of the DBMS, the failure of any com ponent can bring operations to a halt. 1.7 The DreamHome Case Study This case study describes a company called DreamHome, which specializes in-the ‘management of properties for rent on behalf of the owners. The company offers a complete service to owners who wish to rent out their fumished property. The service provided by DreamHome includes advertising the property in the local or national press (when necessary), interviewing prospective renters, organizing visits to the property by prospective renters, and negotiting the lease agreement. Once rented, DreamHome assumes responsibility forthe property, which involves regular property inspections by Dreamffome staf. Listed below is a description of the data recorded, maintained, and accessed at each branch office to support the day-to-day operation and management of Dreamlome.47 The DreamHome Case Study 31 1.7.1 Data Requirements Branch offices Dreamtfome has several branch offices located throughout the United Kingdom. Each branch office is identified by a unique branch number and has an address (street, area, city, postcode), telephone number and fax number. Each branch office has members of saff Staff Each Dreamffome branch office has a manager responsible for overseeing the operations of the office. Dreamtlome closely follows the performance of its man- agers, and notes the date that they assumed their position at their current branch office. Each manager is allocated an annual car allowance and « monthly bonus payment based upon the branch's performance. ‘Each Dreamifome branch office has members of staff with the job title of ‘Supervisor (sometimes called Senior Administrator). Supervisors are responsible for the day-to-day activities of a dedicated group of staff (minimum of five and a maximum of ten members of staff) responsible for the management of property for rent. The administrative work of each group of staff is supported by a secretary: Each member of staff is given a staff number, unique across all branch. offices. Information held on each member of staff includes the name (first and last name), address, telephone number, sex, date of birth, national insurance num- ber (NIN), job title (position), salary, and the date the member of staff joined Dreamlome, Additional information held on staff with the job title of Secretary is the typing speed. It is company policy to record the details of the next-of-kin of members of staff, including the next-of-kin's full name, relationship to the member of staff, address, and telephone number. Only the details of a single next-of-kin are held for ‘each member of staff. ‘An example of the DreamFfome form used to record the details of a member of staff called John White based at the London branch office is shown in Figure 1.10. Property for rent Each Dream#fome branch office has properties for rent that ae identified by a property number, which is unique across all branch offices. The details of property forrent include the full address (street, area, city, postcode), type of property, num- ber of rooms, and monthly rent. The monthly rent for a propery is reviewed annu- ally. Most ofthe properties rented out by Drearaflome are flats. Each property for reat is assigned to specific member of staff who is responsible forthe management, - of that property. A member of staff may only manage a maximum of 10 properties for rent, at any one time. ‘When a property is withdrawn from Dream#fome and is no longer available for rent, itis company policy to retain the information associated with this property for a minimum of three years. An example of a Dreamflome report listing the details of properties for rent available at the Glasgow branch office is shown in Figure Ll. ee ———————————32_ Introduction to Databases Figure 1.10 Dreamtome Stait Details form, DroamHome Staff Datalls ‘Actress. 19 Taylor St, Cranford, London Date of Bith 1-000.45 Tel No 0171-884-5112 NIN WKee20118 Branch Number 85 Joined Company 24-Oct-08 Property owners DreamHome manages property for private or business owners. Each private owner and business owner is uniquely identified by an owner number, which is unique across all branch offices. Additional information on private owners includes the ‘gwner's name, address, and telephone number. The details of business owners include the name of the business, the type of business, business address, telephone number, and contact name. An example of the Dreamfiome form used to record the details of a single property for rent and the owner was shown in Figure 1.1(a). Clients/renters ‘When a client first contacts a DreamHome branch office, his or her details are recorded. This includes the client's name (frst and last name), address, telephone SE en so