Question 5

Read the following scenario:

Clement and Sacks is an architecture practice based in the UK. They have branches in twenty cities and towns across the country. Their core business is providing architecture services to both private and public customers. They produce building plans for new buildings and for modifications to existing buildings. Materials for building plans are sourced from a specialised stationery company.

Clement and Sacks also provide an advisory service for customers researching building history. They have an educational division providing training for newly qualified architects.

Clement and Sacks keep records of their projects in a centralised database that is accessed over a WAN (Wide Area Network) from each of their branches. The education and building history databases are stored locally in each branch, and can only be accessed within that branch.

Clement and Sacks now wants to expand to gain a web presence by promoting their business and services online.

Critically discuss an approach to web/database integration that Clement and Sacks can undertake in order to become a successful web based organisation.