Use of Databases in Design Office

Possibly one of the most popular database programs that has found its use in a typical architectural firm is a relational database management system (RDBMS). The program lets its user to create, update, and administer relational databases that have numerous benefits for designers compared to traditional construction specifications in word processing. Traditionally, these files are organized into individual flat files and grouped into numbered sections. This kind of a structural system increases the likehood of errors, since the files have to be duplicated from section to section. It is also impossible to link individual files together or rearrange them.

The use of relational databases solved many issues for an architect or an architectural engineer. Using word processing specification program, formatting and editing becomes very time consuming and full of errors. With the use of RDBMS, creating and manipulating project specifications may be accomplished in half the time. Generally, RDBMS is able to simplify the entire design process, keep coordination notes in order, and reference standards up to date.

Another area of project design that has found the use of relational databases to be significantly beneficial is cost estimating. Engineers are now able to save time and money in the process, while producing a better quality product. In the database system, each element and each crew are linked to various assemblies; however, the data for each is entered only once. This system has much better efficiency and may be updated much faster. As the project being developed, the relational database allows to refine and update the progress easily and save the time pricing elements that haven’t been added yet.

After reading Issa’s post on the use of relational databases in construction firms, it seems that there are a lot of similarities. Both industries found the use of databases extremely advantages improving the efficiency and productivity while providing huge economic benefits.

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