First i need to say sorry, because previously system / database design to store data in group like >>> A1 - A8 (means Row A No.1 to Row A No.8) or B4 - B12 (means Row B No.4 to Row B No.12)
in a string format and store in database.

example

========================  

=     seat      =     condition     =  

========================  

=   A1 - A8   =        Good       =  

=  B4 - B12  =          Bad        =  

========================  

but now system is changed!! (after a year) and need to identify each of it 1 by 1, it means now the user enter A4, system able to return condition of it (Good) or enter A20 system return not found

is there any way (coding side or sql statement) to fulfill this NEW requirement without change database design? because if change on database side it will need to change the way it store data too (more work have to be done)

i hope you guys understand my question. By the way, i'm using PHP and mySQL.