Is Access what I need?

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PKyle

I am in a jobshop environment where each product is unique. There are
thousands of product combinations. I have hundreds of customer
specifications. I need a package that is easier than Access that I can use
as a place to enter lab test data and also be able to call up summaries of
this test data into a cert by lot of material. I need the program to apply
pass/fail criteria (customized specification standards) for the certificates
of compliance.

Should I find a programmer to write this for me (not Access literate-
doesn't seem very intuitive) and how would I find one in Orange County
California, or is another software package what I need- and what would that
software package be? I am leaning toward something that is more intuitive
to use because we have hundreds of customer specification profiles and a
contract progammer can get very very expensive. We don't have a lot of
people with time on their hands to take access programming classes either-
which is why I need something more intuitive.

Thanks
 
Yes, Access would probably be perfect for what you need to do.
I would recommend finding a developer to do this. Look for an Orange County
User's Group, or place an add in the paper (or dice, monster, etc.)
 
Access is certainly a suitable platform to develop the database you need.

However, my first stop would be to look for an off-the-shelf package that
has been customised for your line of business and see if you use it. It is
MUCH cheaper than developing your own database application whether it is
in-house development (man-hours) or contracted programmer. Remember that
the development costs for an off-the-shelf commercial package are shared by
hundreds / thousands of copies the software developer sells. Your
development costs are shared by one.

If your business needs are unique then you may have to develop your database
at some cost which is certainly higher than an off-the-shelf package.
 
-----Original Message-----
I am in a jobshop environment where each product is unique. There are
thousands of product combinations. I have hundreds of customer
specifications. I need a package that is easier than Access that I can use
as a place to enter lab test data and also be able to call up summaries of
this test data into a cert by lot of material. I need the program to apply
pass/fail criteria (customized specification standards) for the certificates
of compliance.

Should I find a programmer to write this for me (not Access literate-
doesn't seem very intuitive) and how would I find one in Orange County
California, or is another software package what I need- and what would that
software package be? I am leaning toward something that is more intuitive
to use because we have hundreds of customer specification profiles and a
contract progammer can get very very expensive. We don't have a lot of
people with time on their hands to take access programming classes either-
which is why I need something more intuitive.

Thanks


.
Regardless of whether or not you choose to use Access is
Click to expand...
not the issue here. The issue is one of being able to
work with a programmer (which is what you need) that will
listen to your specific needs. The PRODUCT they use is of
secondary importance, although many programmers chooose
Access because it is a well-supported and well documented
database development tool that is likely to be around for
a very long time! You must consider that if you choose a
programmer who is married to using an obscure language or
database, how likely is it you will be able to have
his/her work product supported if they are no longer
available?

By the way, this project doesn't sound like something you
would want to turn over to anyone in your office after a
few night classes in Access. Would you hire any of these
people to do your legal work for you if they took Business
Law 102 and 102?

Just some things to think about. I realize that
programming can be expensive, but NOT getting it done if
it is truly needed is likely to be an even greater expense
for you and your company. Best of Luck!
 
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