Help with Access - I think!??

[fleetsauce]

Evening All,

I have just sat for most of the evening trying to get my head back around access, as I used to use it but seem to have lost all knowledge. Anyway, I need some advice help to design quite a simple order's data base for my business that I can produce an customer order form, supplier order form, credit proposal form and anything else that it can do. Looked at the northwind example and just decided to ask for help as I don't know where to start.

With this kind of database it will save me filling in 5 forms with the same details!

Suggestions please??

Tony.

 

[JEdge]

First you need to outline who will be using the database, clients, employees or just you?
Suggestion: Why not take a look at MySQL and PHP this will be a lot more versatile for you.

~Jack

 

[Adam M.]

Now I can't say I'm a huge fan of access but have you checked out the templates available in office online?

Perhaps something like http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/t...ase-TC001018548.aspx?CTT=5&origin=HA001234159 as a starter?

Regards

 

[Highland Park]

Please take this comment the right way Tony.

A professional will charge you maybe £50/hour to write what you need. What value do you put on your own office time? And on your leisure time?

Chances are that a pro will complete the job in a small fraction of the time that you would need.

I also agree with JEdge - using PHP/mySQL will give you a multi-user system usable from any internet browser. It will also mean that any reports are already delivered

 

[fleetsauce]

Thanks for the replies, I don't know how I would start with what you have suggested, and would it be something I could do, or again ask a pro to look at?

Is there anything online that would/could be used as a template?

 

[Highland Park]

A chat with your website designer would be a good place to start. That already uses PHP but doesn't necessarily mean that they program directly in PHP.

I am not touting for business (too busy) but feel free to PM me with a landline number if you'd like to chat through your options.

 

[DotNetWebs]

...I also agree with JEdge - using PHP/mySQL will give you a multi-user system usable from any internet browser. It will also mean that any reports are already delivered

I agree with this IF the OP wants a multi-user, browser based system.

However if it's just an inhouse, desktop-based system that he needs then IMO Access would still be a good option.

Access is great for prototyping and rapid development. Once it's limits are met the data can always be exported to SQL format for use in a server environment.

Regards

Dotty

 

[Highland Park]

Relax Dotty - my main point was that he should consider a professional; whether it be for Access or for PHP

The number of times I've seen over-worked, entrepreneurial business-owners wasting their own valuable time outside their skill-set! Problem is they don't put a monetary value on their own time.

 

[DotNetWebs]

...The number of times I've seen over-worked, entrepreneurial business-owners wasting their own valuable time outside their skill-set! Problem is they don't put a monetary value on their own time.

True.

But I have also seen, many times in this forum, people rushed into switching to an online system which may involve migrating data, switching hosting and business practices, becoming dependant on a single developer etc. etc.

When all they really needed was somebody to show them how to create a few simple forms on whatever existing system they were using.

Without knowing the exact requirements and current practices and infrastructure it's hard to know which is the best option.

As you say, it's best to chat to a professional who can way all these things up.

Regards

Dotty

 

[amphis software]

there are off-the-shelf packages (like ours) that will do much of what you are looking for, all for about £100. I'd suggest taking a look at some of those (with a free trial) before spending too much time (and money) developing a system from scratch.

Tom

 

[fleetsauce]

Thanks to Highland Park for the chat, much appreciated.

I do have forms at the moment (about 5) that are word based which we populate and then send to our customers. I am looking to make something that will populate the forms I require by typing the information once rather than copy paste etc to save my time and my employees (3).

I really like the idea of on-line as this would give my customers access to all the forms, order updates etc, but for now cost is key. However we do not have access on the pc's anyway so I need to bear this in mind when thinking about the costs!! I have access at home but not here in the business.

 

[Page]

I would say pay someone to make a considered assessment for you

First forum posts get that feel

Try and find something off the shelf that may not be perfect but it good enough - it will cost far less

But also strongly consider paying for a telephone chat - £20 for 30 mins say - all depending

This will get you better up to speed to then consider a written assessment and consideration

If you do not do this I would suggest keeping a record of your time and then reviewing in 6 months - now what do you wish you had done ?