All of our daily lives are now extensively recorded on databases. Lots of people almost never consider it, but the reality is significant amounts of our activities are documented & stored on various Databases. Databases hold and produce 'data' on our complete economy. Records such as share values, bank documents and property records are all indexed upon sophisticated Databases, and although plainly we can still access most of this detail in hard copy, digital records are infinitely more straightforward to access. Each time you buy something with a credit card or store loyalty card, you include another piece of information to that Database. Your shopping styles are recorded so retailers can give you loyalty vouchers for things you are likely to be buying - for instance, if you have recently been shopping for cat-food, you could be offered a promotional premium for pet insurance. The DVLAs vehicle registration database can be used all over the place; call at a car service area and ask for a component - & they'll tell you the precise model from the vehicle registration. This particular database is also used as the basis for the Congestion Charge in the Capital city & to discover Road Tax avoidance, by operating in partnership with the Cameras that adorn our streets.

The classic profile of a Database Administrator or Developer is someone who is incredibly accurate, is very well disciplined & thorough, and can work effectively both by themselves or together with a small team. The work regularly entails reporting to business management, and as such self-assured communication-skills are important. Security is becoming an increasing issue as more and more highly sensitive information is recorded and stored - making database employment extremely responsible. Commercial 'confidentiality' will be critical, and a great deal of trust and integrity will be needed by the employer. People from business & accountancy environments often become good DBA's, and often the role is a stepping-stone to a more advanced position within the organisation's hierarchy.

Throughout the world, the most commonly used database-systems are Oracle and MS 'SQL' Server. Many big installations still make use of the more mature 'Oracle' System, although SQL-Server is currently the normal System for most commercial environments, & as far as web-based databases go it rules supreme. Obviously, as SQL Server is owned by Microsoft, the organisation has built it into each of it's programs and platforms. For those aiming to become vendor accredited then, its the natural route to consider. Accreditations have now been updated, & the MCDBA ('Microsoft Certified Database Administrator') has now been replaced by the 'MCITP' ('Microsoft Certified IT Professional') and the MCTS (Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist). Despite the fact that SQL-Server '08 is now beginning to secure some foot-hold, the current widespread commercial version of Microsoft SQL-Server is 2005, & its this version that features in the MCITP DBA accreditation. In common with several of MS's other certifications, a number of 'MCTS' modules come before the final 'MCITP'.

So with databases playing a really major role in modern society, just what kind of work can be found which pertains to them? There are really two key careers if we explore databases from the IT mindset. Designing the software & constructing the Database is the 1st area, and managing the information & building reporting systems to utilise the data is the 2nd aspect. The term DBA, or 'Database Administrator', is a well known 'acronym' used throughout the IT industry. Typically its the medium to large companies which need to employ DBAs, because they need them to over-see the database's operations on an everyday basis. DBAs maintain the 'security' of a business' 'databases', make certain everything is backed-up thoroughly, & use the data to create meaningful reports for management. They'll also know the Database 'language' of SQL (Structured Query Language) - pronounced as 'see-quel' - which provides a 'standardised' method of interrogating a Database for the data required.

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