Is there has a standard database schema design for business process application?

Question

I found that many application for business purposes (such as accounting, inventory, AP/AR/GL, even includes manufacturing process, CRM) could sharing a similar database schema.

Why nobody try to consolidate together and build a BEST database schema, and everybody follows it, to improve communication among applications? Or we could either build a BASIC Standard database schema, and allow people doing extension from it.

It could save a lot of effort people putting it. These people all are spending time in doing similar job, and still create barrier for applications communicate to each other.

Or, if there is one, please tell me where is it. Thanks.

Answer 1

I don't know if there is a standard, but there are certain rules that you should follow. It is VITAL that your database be setup correctly or you will have to pay for it every day of the rest of your life, or as long as you work there.

I would recommend that a single person or a small group of people that knew what they were doing, should put together a single database design that could satisfy everyone's needs.

That is a difficult situation.

Answer 2

It is very hard to build a fits all DB scheme, but you should always adhere to relational model RDBM with a high database normalization level, where there is no data repetition but you referance related data with their ID (primary key - foreign key relation ship) and enforce referential integrity with rules in DB.

Loren Soth