On Jul 4, 4:57 pm, scottishpoet <drybur...@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
> wrote:
> So K-Sears, as a major retailer, has multiple RDBMS?
>
> In Europe this would be pretty normal. It allows a level of
> negotiation between suppliers.
>
> is it not the same in North America?
Not exactly.
You have your store's POS, your warehouse/distribution centers
inventory control ..., and then you have your financial/ERP system.
There are some other areas too. "Parts by Phone/Web", Online store
orders, bridal registry, specialty stores like Sears Auto, etc ...
Now your store systems could be on Informix. Your warehouse could be
using EXE which uses Informix. Your financials could be on Oracle /
Informix / DB2.
You could also have a Teradata system as a DW. And then there's the
mainframe handling your overall transaction systems being fed from
individual stores. Some retail chains have used a technique of batch
processing credit card transactions, especially if they're using a
store brand credit card. So your transaction is approved and then
processed later that night.
So yes, you have multiple databases. Again, you have to understand
where LAMP could/would fit and where IDS fits, and then the "players"
and history.
Your major number of licenses will be in the store systems.
What is interesting is that Sears moved from the loop and downtown out
to Hoffman Estates, many, many moons ago. K-Mart moved from Detroit to
Hoffman Estates. So why now is Sears doing something downtown? (That's
interesting in and of itself.)
Second, you don't use LAMP in building/maintaining a warehouse
distribution system. You don't use LAMP on your core financial system
either.
But hey! What do I know? I just saw the help wanted ad, and started to
ask questions. Its not like I know anything about retail systems or
about K-Mart or Sear's histories with IBM and Informix.... Nah. I know
nothing. ;-)
-G
|
