What is Database ?

Before anything, waht is the exact definition of Database ?
A database (DB), in the most general sense, is an organized collection of data. More specifically, a database is an electronic system that allows data to be easily accessed, manipulated and updated.In other words, a database is used by an organization as a method of storing, managing and retrieving information. Modern databases are managed using a database management system (DBMS).

Firebase enable to impove the content of our initial database for any kind of application (Javascript, Android, iOS...). Indeed, Firebase host (in NoSQL) real time databases, constantly enriched by various services and social login.

The database management system such as Firebase store information as alphanumeric identifier that refers to keys. Each of these keys has some associated values. These values can consist of simple texts or some more complex sets of data (Json, images...).

How to use database

Firebase can be use to target specific customers according to the last time they by a product, what specific product and so on. As an exemple, let's suppose we are a big chain as the French tech retailer Fnac. Each time a customer bought a product in the past, datas are collected and organised in the database. After a few years, the compagny can be able to predict which customer is likely to buy what kind of product at a specific period of the year. Here is an example of the situation. According to this data, we can consider that Michale Schaefer is very likely to buy the brand new iPhone for Christmas in December 2020. Accordingly, an email will be sent automatically to this specific customer in November, containing advertisment for the brand new iPhone, and possibly a special offer for it.
To made these data available, and expoitable, we only have to made them compatible with the application we use. For us, we have to export these data with JSON.

Conclusion

Databases are a good things to improve the efficacity of the stores and to target customers. This is only a very little sample of what companies can possibly do with such a tool. As an example, if stores somehow collect data concerning the realtime localisation of the customer, they can send emails when the customer come close from a store.

This could even lead to an ethical debate concerning privacy.