AE410 was a wonderful course, where I learned many things, including databases used in Microsoft Access, Revit, and other software. The meaning of Artificial Intelligence means so many things to me now, including robotics, future of databases, BIM, networks, etc. Artificial Intelligence is growing rapidly each year, and it only get more complex. I learned that many firms are not yet updated to today's fast AI database network. But within doing so, they could save hours of time, and save lots of money to put into their own construction projects.
The lectures were very informative and I did learn a lot. In Microsoft Access, inputting information in databases was by far my most favorite project, as I am sure I will deal with Microsoft Access in the near future with engineering firms I will be working with. Labeling everything in a building project is much harder than I expected, as each would also require extensive details of each product has is to be installed in abuilding, which would lead to creating data sheets to be filled out in schedules and many types of forms.
I also learned the productivity of AI, as it is fastly making the previous smart programs obsolete. AI in robotics are quickly replacing laborers, because it would increase productivity and also safety. This also creates a problem, as people ae laid off all over the world as technology advances, simply because AI can do a much faster job. The construction industry must realize that there is a balance that has to be maintained over the quantity of AI robotics can be allowed, as this will greatly affect the working class.
In the course, the blog posts were a great exercise and a way to communicate and read upon other people's thoughts and knowledge about the same topic. It gave me great pointers and also a great resource for something when you do not understand. However, in three hours of work time, it was honestly a bit much and I would get migraines from all the learning from complex databases. However, overall, it was a very good class to learn databases and their operations in engineering firms, and I would recommend this course to anyone who will be working in an engineering field in the near future.
Comments
Andy Dinh (link) - I like how you relate to your field in civil engineering, specializing in water management/transportation. I agree with you that AI has so many benefits it is tempting to replace the workforce with robotics, but it would not be the right call, as it would destabilize the economy.
Samuel Kim (link) - I agree with you that BIM, AI, sensors, and networks were the biggest factor in this course AE410. It is very important to learn about AIs now, as it will continue to grow even after we graduate. It was also my first time using Microsoft Access like you, and I had a great first experience.
Arthur McCloskey (link) - I agree with you that the database lessons very informative and good. Although we may not be exposed to some of them when we will start working in firms, but it very nice to familiarize ourselves with many BIM and databases available for us to use to maximize our productivity and connections with other people in the systems.
Showing posts with label Group D. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Group D. Show all posts
Tuesday, March 14, 2017
Tuesday, February 28, 2017
Sensors and networks for building operations
Sensors and networks
for building operations
·
Gathering and distributing information
o
Facility management such as entrance security
o
Fire and emergency system
·
Sensors and networks connecting users and
objects
o
User-to-user, user-to-object, and
object-to-object
o
building managers, residents and outsiders
o
computers connecting with each other
·
HVAC sensors
o
Temperature
o
Humidity
o
Air quality
·
Online payment system and networks for
apartments
Tuesday, February 14, 2017
Uses of databases in design offices
Uses of databases in design
offices
The basic uses
of databases are to structurally organize and capture large quantities of data
by inputting, storing, retrieving and managing information. A database is
defined as a collection of data that is stored in a computer in today’s world. A
database application is a program that can retrieve and store the data. It is
an inevitable component of modern companies and offices and some of the popular
database applications are Oracle, MySQL and Microsoft Access. I will specifically
talk about some uses of databases in design offices.
Customer
Management[2]
A customer
relationship management database can help companies manage the relationship
with its customers. The database stores the information about customers
including accounts, contact information, orders, details of customer service
calls and anything that the companies have contacted with.
Employee Database[2]
The employee
database manages the information about the employees. The database helps the
human resource department and higher managers to organize their teams. Companies
apply the database to smoothly run their internal operations. Not only the simple
information about employees such as name, birthday, salary and address but also
an intelligent method to find the right people to do the right tasks could be
provided by the database.
BIM[3]
Building
Information Modelling is also a representation of an advanced database. It
shows that databases are not only limited to words and number but also 3D models
like Revit. BIM could store and repeatedly use parametric designs such as
families. Working with other cloud service, BIM could even be used in mobile
devices to easily present your ideas to different stakeholders.
Cloud Service
Cloud services
such as Dropbox and iCloud become more and more powerful. Cloud service is an
advanced database application. You could easily upload your works into the
cloud and use it through all your devices. Sharing is another significant
function for cloud service application. You could work together with your partner
on the same document from wherever you get accessed to Internet. It could save
tons of time and money.
Reference:
[3] http://www.autodesk.com/solutions/bim/overview
Comments
Joe Dressel
Thank you for explaining
what object oriented databases are. You also compared relational databases with
object oriented databases. Now I understand the differences between these two
types of databases and the benefits of using object oriented databases. I think
BIM is a good example that contains a huge object oriented database.
Rachel Frank
The idea of
organizational memory is very interesting. I like how organizational memory
helps the construction industry to quickly process information from the past.
Also, web-based databases are also a useful tool because they are easy to learn
and use. However, you mentioned the security issues about using web-based
databases as a disadvantage. What would you like to use if you are a
construction manager?
Ronald Herazo
Thank you for
describing relational databases in detail. Your pictures really helped me to
understand the concept. Also, you talked about SQL in the end. I thought SQL is
one type of databases before. Now I know that SQL is a language to manipulate
relational databases. It is like a communication channel connecting databases.
Monday, February 13, 2017
Uses of Databases in design offices
Databases, of course, are simply repositories of information, indexed in ways that organize stored data and make it accessible. All information in a database should be related; separate databases should be created to manage unrelated information. For example, a database that contains information about company stock prices should not also hold information about students and courses. Databases can be organized in different ways, and thus take many forms. The most popular form of database nowadays is the relational database. The Figure 1 listed below is a typical case for an relational model.
First, what's the Microsoft Access used for? Very simply, Microsoft Access is an information management tool that helps us store information for reference, reporting, and analysis. It helps us analyze large amounts of information, and manage related data more efficiently than Microsoft Excel or other spreadsheet applications.
Secondly, how does a Microsoft Access Database work? Microsoft Access works in the same manner any database does, by storing related entities, and letting us create relationships between different things. The relationships between two different things in MS Access can be very simple (such as a contact at a customer and the customer itself) or complex. Data is stored in Microsoft Access tables. A table can have many fields, we can think of them as columns in a spreadsheet. Each field in a table can be set up to allow or prevent users from entering certain information. These abstract words mean, for example, we could say one field only accepts dates, another can only allow a user to enter a numeric value, while another lets them enter anything they want. Once we have our MS Access tables, fields, and relationships set up, we can create data entry forms that use those tables to store our information and later create reports with the data.
The last but not least, the MS Access is not just setting up spreadsheets, not like MS Excel. These two are easy to misunderstanding. A spreadsheet stores data in an organized fashion, using rows and columns, and looks very similar to a database table. However, when several types of data must be mixed together, or when the relationships between these types of data are complex, then a spreadsheet is not the best solution. A database allows data from several entities (such as students, clubs, memberships, and events) to all be related together into one whole. While a spreadsheet does allow you to define what kinds of values can be entered into its cells, a database provides more intuitive and powerful ways to define the types of data that go into each field, reducing possible errors and allowing for easier analysis.
[2] Darwen, Hugh. An Introduction to Relational Database Theory. Place of Publication Not Identified: Ventus, 2009. An Introduction to Relational Database Theory. Web.
[3] Mattessich, Richard "Budgeting Models and System Simulation". The Accounting Review. 36 (3): 384–397. 1969
Figure 1
Popular examples of relational databases today are Microsoft Access, MySQL, and Oracle. Let's go deeper for Microsoft Access since it's the most familiar one to us. For example, Coca Cola, last I checked, runs their accounting department with a series of MS Access front-ends connected to MS SQL back-ends. First, what's the Microsoft Access used for? Very simply, Microsoft Access is an information management tool that helps us store information for reference, reporting, and analysis. It helps us analyze large amounts of information, and manage related data more efficiently than Microsoft Excel or other spreadsheet applications.
Secondly, how does a Microsoft Access Database work? Microsoft Access works in the same manner any database does, by storing related entities, and letting us create relationships between different things. The relationships between two different things in MS Access can be very simple (such as a contact at a customer and the customer itself) or complex. Data is stored in Microsoft Access tables. A table can have many fields, we can think of them as columns in a spreadsheet. Each field in a table can be set up to allow or prevent users from entering certain information. These abstract words mean, for example, we could say one field only accepts dates, another can only allow a user to enter a numeric value, while another lets them enter anything they want. Once we have our MS Access tables, fields, and relationships set up, we can create data entry forms that use those tables to store our information and later create reports with the data.
The last but not least, the MS Access is not just setting up spreadsheets, not like MS Excel. These two are easy to misunderstanding. A spreadsheet stores data in an organized fashion, using rows and columns, and looks very similar to a database table. However, when several types of data must be mixed together, or when the relationships between these types of data are complex, then a spreadsheet is not the best solution. A database allows data from several entities (such as students, clubs, memberships, and events) to all be related together into one whole. While a spreadsheet does allow you to define what kinds of values can be entered into its cells, a database provides more intuitive and powerful ways to define the types of data that go into each field, reducing possible errors and allowing for easier analysis.
Reference
[1] Brownstein, Mark "Microsoft Puts Finishing Touches on Windows Applications". InfoWorld. p. 5 February 13, 1989[2] Darwen, Hugh. An Introduction to Relational Database Theory. Place of Publication Not Identified: Ventus, 2009. An Introduction to Relational Database Theory. Web.
[3] Mattessich, Richard "Budgeting Models and System Simulation". The Accounting Review. 36 (3): 384–397. 1969
Comments
Chris Sager - when I was doing my post, I found out that SQL was closely related my topic MS Access. These two like I said are the most popular relation databases nowadays. From your article, I could clearly understand that SQL language could effectively be used to insert, search, update, and delete databases records. You do give a good example of a SQL syntax.
Alsaleem - You did such a clear job to explain the Object Oriented Databases which I am not familiar with that before. I am really like the way that you listed the pros and cons of ODBMS. I could see both side of this database system.
Arthur McCloskey - I really enjoyed your post because of your topic. The post is not just introduced relational database but also related to the construction industry field. The content is comprehensive and I noticed that you also had a figure which called relational scheme tree. That caught my eyes. I wish you could explain more of this tree.
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