In this lesson, we will use the mail merge option in Microsoft Word to create a personal letter to your student's parents. The information for the mail merge will be drawn from a Microsoft Access we have created earlier. The raw data stored in a database is factual. When organizations first begin using a database, they generally focus on creating systems that will accurately and quickly retrieve this data. A more sophisticated use of databases moves beyond retrieving data and converting that data into information.
Information is processed data.
Frequently, schools need to look at their data from different angles. You are in the process of completing a grant application and need to analyze demographic information. You may need to create a budget forecast for next year and need to analyze certain costs by category. You need to send home letters to students who have failing averages. Relational databases are commonly used for developing business and grading systems because they are so adaptable.