CASE. The vehicle for effective data utilization

Abstract

Through examination of the processes involved in designing and using information systems that are heavily dependent on databases, it is shown that while the design of database models has been greatly assisted by CASE tools, the usage has been largely left out. Developers can design the database model at the conceptual level while CASE tools transform that into a model at the logical level for implementation. However, usage of the database demands that queries be written based on the logical level model. Developers and users cannot write queries based on the original conceptual level model. This paper calls for CASE tool developers and researchers to provide tools for people to effectively utilize data and information systems at the conceptual level.