Which Database is Ideal for Your Business Need?

There are several types of business databases. Choosing the right one for your business isn't always straightforward.

To find the right type of database for your business, you will need to consider:

• the type of data you will use, eg numeric, addresses, multimedia, etc
• the structure or model you want the data to have
• where you want to store it
• how you plan to manage it
• what you intend to use it for
• how consistent your data will be
• what querying mechanism you require

Businesses in specific industries - eg manufacturing, publishing or insurance - will have database solutions specifically targeted at their precise needs and requirements.

It is worth seeking out products that could meet the particular needs of your business sector. Ask your trade association or trading partners for recommendations. You can also use the internet to research popular database products.

How to choose the right type of database for your enterprise

There are hundreds of tech-heavy database reviews out there, but they don’t always give clear guidance on the first step in selecting a database: choosing the best general type for a specific application. All databases are not created equal. Each has specific strengths and weaknesses. While it’s true that workarounds exist to make a favorite database work for most projects, using those tricks adds unnecessary complexity. Before considering a specific database, take some time to think about what type would best support the project at hand. The question goes deeper than “SQL vs. NoSQL.” Read on for a rundown of the most common database types, the relative merits of each, and how to tell which is the best fit.