Technology

Databases and Data Warehouses:

 A database is a collection of information that you organize and access according to the logical structure of that information.  LensCrafters uses the relational database model which is a series of logically related two-dimensional tables or files to store information.  A relational database is composed of two distinct parts; 1) the information itself, stored in a series of two-dimensional tables, files, or relations and 2) the logical structure of that information.  LensCrafters database includes a data dictionary, primary keys, foreign keys, and integrity constraints.  The employees are responsible for entering customer and patient information into the database.  A data warehouse is a logical collection of information gathered from many different operational databases used to create business intelligence that supports business analysis activities and decision making tasks.  LensCrafters uses a data warehouse because no matter what location a customer goes to, employees are still able to pull up the customer information even if the information was entered at another location other than the one they are at.  A data mart is a subset of a data warehouse in which only a focused portion of the data warehouse information is kept.  Lenscrafters employees are able to use a data mart because sometimes a data warehouse can contain too much information.  Data marts can be created for merchandising, advertising, distribution, sales, marketing, production, service, and accounts receivable.  Data mining tools are software tools you use to query information in a data warehouse.
 
Hardware and Software:

LensCrafters uses eyeNET software which allows employees to enter information, look up history, search for products, clock in and out, look up sales reports, and ring up sales.  LensCrafters hardware includes computers, keyboards, mice, computer monitors, telephones, credit card terminals, etc.

Networks:

LensCrafters has a wired network which uses Cat 5 cable which plugs into the Ethernet card in the computers. A Cat 5 cable is a better constructed version of a phone twisted-pair cable. At the end of an Ethernet cable is a RJ-45 connector.