Selecting an DBMS

  • Thread starter Thread starter RobVT
  • Start date Start date
R

RobVT

Hello all!

I'm working as a graduate research assistant for a large state agency
developing a database of historical construction records. Thus far,
I've developed my database in Microsoft Access because it, like other
MS applications, is intuitive and easy to learn. My research is
wrapping up now and I need to make recommendations to the owner about
what applications they'll need to use to make the database accessible
state-wide to thousands of users.

I realize this is a MS Access group, and I appreciate the many helpful
hints and comments I've recieved in the past.

All suggestions are welcome and thanks in advance!

Rob
 
The question always is answered by asking more questions!!

The question, or problem is going to depend on how you plan to distribute
this data.

For example, you can simply place the data as a Excel spreadsheet on a web
site. (in fact, you can use a text based CSV format which is readable by
vitally anyone with a computer - Excel, and ms-access supports this text
format quite well).

So, you need/want to distinguish between distributing an application, and
data.

It is quite easy to distribute a payroll table as a PDF document. However,
for the state to distribute a payroll application, then you are talking
about a whole new ball game here.

So, the first question is:

are you trying to distribute a table of data...in some wide spread
used format (like Excel, or PDF, or CSV, or HTML)

or

are you trying to distribute a application..with code, and complex
reports that joins multiple tables via sql?

Further, can you just provide a PDF document on a web site..or do you need
some type of searchable database here?

So, what is "best" solution is going to depending on how much data, and how
complex the data is. Perhaps just producing a HTML report in ms-access, and
placing the results of this repot on a web site is fine for distribution
here.

So, keep in mind, the real big issue here is are you distribution a table of
data (easy), or do you actually need a appcation built around this data to
make it of any use...(that is MUCH more challenging problem).

Your subject text is selecting a database system. However, does this mean
you, or you client is going to get into the database support business to
work with these people that will use the application and data?

Maybe just a simple spreadsheet that is the de-normalized result of the data
is what you need to distribute here....
 
Albert,
Thanks for your response. I apologize for leaving so many unanswered
questions. Although I have managed to design and build what I feel is
a pretty good database, I still feel new to many of the concepts.
The database or DBMS will be distributed across the state as an
application. Users in various districts will need the capability to
input new data that is logged in a central server to be available state
wide. Also, statewide users will need access to the system to retrieve
information by querying the system for projects similar to their own.
I've been looking into MS SQL Server 2005, but I'm not sure what the
regulations are on such a state agency. Then again, they may very well
have their own DBMS in place that will integrate my new application.

Thanks again for your help! Take care!
 
Back
Top