Data Entry From Remote Location

  • Thread starter Thread starter Nanci
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Nanci

I do accounting for a chain of about 40 convenience stores in an Access
database. Each week each store manager sends me a form he completes by hand
that contains about 50 pieces of data that I enter into the database. There
is no network between the main office where I am at and any of the stores.
The store managers are capable of entering data if only they had the
facilities to do so. What technology aside from a network is available
whereby the store managers could enter data into something and there would
be a way to get that data directly into the database eliminating the need
for the managers to hand complete the form and eliminating me entering their
data into the database? Is something possible over the internet?

Thanks!

Nanci
 
The solution is really going to depend on how much "relational" data you
need to send. If we are talking about a flat table, then setting up a email
system might do the trick. Have the ms-access application generate a csv
file..and then that file emailed to you.

On the other hand, do these stores have access to the internet? It seems to
me that a simple based web form might be the best solution here (of course,
then, this means you need to setup and run and maintain a web server.

You also don't mention if those stores need any kind of data from your end.
In other words..is this data reporting/requiem a one way street, or is data
needing to be sent from the central office to each store?

You can also setup a VPN (virtual private network - this runs over the
internet), and thus have the ms-access program connect to either a sql
server, or even consider replication. And, if you did not need very many
users...you could supply the ms-access form over the web link via remote
desktop, and have them fill out the ms-access form (of course, with
un-trained users...then that form should be very user friendly,..and hide
all of the ms-access menus etc like any good application in ms-access will
for "end users").

Further, it is not even clear if one can make the assumption that each store
has a computer with a internet connection.

You can read up on some more solutions here:

http://www.attcanada.net/~kallal.msn/Wan/Wans.html
 
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