Smarter Marketing with Database Management

When I was a casino marketing executive, our customer database was the alpha and omega of our entire marketing program. And, as computer technology continues to advance, so does the importance of the database management and database administration, regardless of the industry.

Database as Marketing Strategy

A few years ago, I worked for a casino that had a small marketing budget. However, we did have one thing: a customer database. By segmenting our customers based upon value and mailing them offers based upon that value, we were able to achieve great success - without wasting marketing dollars on expensive print, TV and radio advertising. But, to achieve our goals we had to have top-notch database management and administration to extract key customer information and package it in a user-friendly format.

What Do Database Administrators Do?

In addition to designing and coordinating database security systems, those responsible for database administration organize, track, and store information. As a database administration professional, you must be familiar with various database programming languages and database platforms and know how to interview database users to learn about their needs. Database administrators must also coordinate with various managers and computer specialists to test the database and ensure the systems are working correctly, while ensuring the data that's collected is kept secure.

The Job Forecast: Database Management and Administration

Due to the expansion of the Internet and the fact that more businesses and organizations are generating large amounts of information, there is a growing need for storage, management and data extraction. In fact, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, jobs for database administrators are expected to grow by 27 percent or more through 2014. Most employers are looking for those who have a high level of skill and expertise like those who have earned bachelor's degrees in computer science, computer engineering, information science, or MIS.

Looking for a challenging job that is critical to the successful operation and expansion of most of today's businesses? Maybe it's time to consider a career in database management.

Sources
Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2006-07 Edition, Computer Scientists and Database Administrators