Jones Legal Investigation Services, Inc., is a growing business that performs legal investigations at the request of attorneys. The company owner, Richard Jones, offers a wide range of investigative services, including audio interviews, video interviews, ground accident scene photos, ground accident scene digital videos, and night vision and electronic surveillance. Using the company’s own plane, aerial accident scene photos and digital videos are also available. When the company was small, Richard could rely on manual filing methods for his case materials, using the computer only for various bookkeeping tasks. However, the company’s primary client, attorney Dan Holm, has such a burgeoning legal practice that the manual filing methods are becoming inadequate. Also, the advances in digital technology make it possible for much of the case material to be stored digitally on computer.

Richard knows that he will need to obtain some expert advice regarding the selection of the appropriate data storage format for a system that will help him manage his case materials. What data storage format do you recommend he consider for this application? Justify your choice. Are there any disadvantages associated with your choice of data storage format?