The Data Model Resource Book, Vol. 2: A Library of Data Models for Specific Industries [Paperback]

Len Silverston (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0471353485 | ISBN-13: 978-0471353485 | Publication Date: March 7, 2001 | Edition: Revised Edition, Volume 2

A quick and reliable way to build proven databases for core business functions
Industry experts raved about The Data Model Resource Book when it was first published in March 1997 because it provided a simple, cost-effective way to design databases for core business functions. Len Silverston has now revised and updated the hugely successful First Edition, while adding a companion volume to take care of more specific requirements of different businesses. Each volume is accompanied by a CD-ROM, which is sold separately. Each CD-ROM provides powerful design templates discussed in the books in a ready-to-use electronic format, allowing companies and individuals to develop the databases they need at a fraction of the cost and a third of the time it would take to build them from scratch.
With each business function boasting its own directory, this CD-ROM provides a variety of data models for specific implementations in such areas as financial services, insurance, retail, healthcare, universities, and telecom.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"I thought the models in the books were well thought out and adequately explained." (Computer Shopper, February 2002)

Review

"In addition to being an excellent resource for data modelers, this book will help managers, business analysts and architects gain a high level understanding of various industries and integration challenges facing IT professionals. Len's concepts, insights and models provide a valuable contribution to data architecture."--Regina Pieper Enterprise Architect, Sun Microsystems

"Len Silverston has produced an enormously useful two-volume compendium of generic (but not too generic) data models for an extensive set of typical enterprise subject areas, and for various industries that any data modeler will likely encounter at some point in his or her career. The material is clearly written, well organized, and goes below the obvious to some of the more perverse and difficult information requirements in an enterprise. This is an invaluable resource for doing one's homework before diving into any modeling session; if you can't find it here, there is certainly a very similar template that you can use for just about any situation with which you might be faced."--William G. Smith President, William G. Smith & Associates

"In today's fast-paced e-oriented world, it is no longer acceptable to bury business constraints in hard-to-change data structures. Data architects must comprehend complex requirements and recast them into data architecture with vision for unforeseen futures.Len?s models provide an outstanding starting point for novice and advanced data architects for delivering flexible data models. These models position an organization for the business rule age. Their proper implementation and customization allows the organization to externalize and manage business policies and rules so that the business can proactively change itself. In this way, the data architecture, based on Len's models and procedures for customizing them, becomes by design the foundation for business change."--Barbara von Halle Founder, Knowledge Partners, Inc. Co-author of Handbook of Relational Database Design

"These books are long overdue and a must for any company implementing universal data models. They contain practical insights and templates for implementing universal data models and can help all enterprises regardless of their level of experience. Most books address the needs for data models but give little in the way of practical advice. These books fill in that void and should be utilized by all enterprises."--Ron Powell Publisher, DM Review

"I was first introduced to The Data Model Resource Book three years ago when I was hired by a firm that wanted an enterprise data model. This company did not believe the dictum that "all companies are basically the same;" they felt they were somehow unique. After a little analysis with Len Silverston's help, we found that we were actually quite a bit the same: we had customers, accounts, employees, benefits, and all the things you'd find in any corporation. All we had to do was adapt the product component of Len's book and we were ready to move ahead with a great framework for all of our data. A CD-ROM that accompanies the book provided scripts to build the model in Oracle very quickly. We then began mapping all of our detailed data types to the enterprise model and, voila, we could find a place for all of those various spellings and misspellings of Account Number.

Volume 2 of this revised edition provided even more exciting features: models of industry-specific data. I began to see interesting patterns that permeated this volume. For example, a reservation is a reservation, whether you're an airline, a restaurant, or a hotel. (We even have something similar in the oil industry--the allocation.)

Another concept from the book that has changed my thinking and vocabulary is the word "party." I recently managed a project in which an employee could also function as a customer and as an on-line computer user. The team was in disagreement regarding a name for this entity; but after checking The Data Model Resource Book, we realized that here we had a party playing three roles.

Whether your job is to jump-start a data warehouse project or borrow ideas for any subject area in your next operational database, I highly recommend The Data Model Resource Books, Revised Edition, Volumes 1 and 2 as your bible for design."--Ted Kowalski Data Architect, Equilon Enterprises LLC Author of Opening Doors: A Facilitator's Handbook

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 576 pages
• Publisher: Wiley; Revised Edition, Volume 2 edition (March 7, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0471353485
• ISBN-13: 978-0471353485
• Product Dimensions: 7.4 x 1.2 x 9.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (21 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #326,586 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

29 of 32 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Buyer Beware-what a tease!, February 24, 2003

By 

Ivan Vandermerwe (Silver Spring, MD United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Data Model Resource Book, Vol. 2: A Library of Data Models for Specific Industries (Paperback)

First the content: Contains everything that is not taught in graduate school (been there), and everything that a data modeller needs know about data modelling.
Next the format: Consumerism at its worse! An incomplete template here, missing template there-a tease to lay out $400 for a complete set of templates (on top of the $100 plus for both volumes already laid out).
The conclusion: invest in volume 1 and familiarize yourself with the valuable concepts layed out there-save your money and TIME with volume 2.

32 of 36 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars This book is an advertisement for the [price] download, August 1, 2002

By 

David (Chicago) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Data Model Resource Book, Vol. 2: A Library of Data Models for Specific Industries (Paperback)

What a [scheme]. I thought I was purchasing some templates - generic data models oriented for specific industries. This book is a teaser for the author's electronic products, which contain the real templates. This book has just enough information to lead you to believe the electronic product is plausable, but not enough to really use the data models discussed(without the expensive downloads). I expected a bunch of entities with the PK and FK attributes ready for customizing with my company specific attributes... NOT.

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Is it worth buying a book for only one chapter?, February 14, 2005

By 

Dagna Gaythorpe (Dovercourt, Essex, United Kingdom) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Data Model Resource Book, Vol. 2: A Library of Data Models for Specific Industries (Paperback)

Yes, it is. Because the other chapters have all sorts of useful content as well. This book covers Manufacturing, Telecommunications, Health Care, Insurance, Financial Services, Professional Services, Travel, and e-Commerce. Most companies, even if they aren't in those sectors, use the services of companies that are (or may do a little bit of them - offer insurance on their products, for example), and if you need to include these areas in your model, in more detail than was covered in volume 1 (the core Universal Data Model book), then this is the place to start. If you are in one of these areas, then the specific chapter has a lot of useful stuff (I have worked in Travel, Telecommunications and Professional Services), but it is well worth checking out the other models for ideas that can be re-used in your area.