looking for advice

Z

Zygoid

after reading many posts, there might be a better way to do what I a
trying to accomplish.

I have 2 workbooks,
db.xls used for storing info such as customer lists, material
lists, ect.

new.xls used to estimate, create proposals and create work
orders.

I have 4 sales reps that use the workbooks. but when they open new.xl
they have to click a command button to save_as, so another rep can ope
new.xls.

in my coding, i have been able to open db.xls get info or add info, an
close db.xls so that others can use it. this is why i cannot use dat
validation, or combo boxes with data from db.xls.

but now, since my coding is getting more complex, and the db.xls i
being used more in my coding, i need to be able to have db.xls opene
on more than one computer at a time.

i have seen many posts talking about ACCESS or SQL which i have both.

what would you recommend, so that each of my sales reps could have eac
file open at the same time? or is there even a better way than what i a
doing
 
P

Paul Falla

There is no single answer to your query, other than that a
database is probably the way forward as has been suggested
to you. Access is a lot more visual to use than SQL
Server, MySQL etc. and is great for handling smaller
volumes of data. SQl Server is build for handling large
volues of data, but can be used as a back end repository
whilst using Access as the front end.The joy of using a
relational database is that you can have separate tables
for things like your customer lists, material lists, etc.
For each of your reps to use the same data you will need
to have the database split into two, namely a back end
which houses the database tables, and a front end which
houses the forms, reports and queries. The back end will
need to be stored in a central location on a server, and
the front end on each of the reps computors. This will
enable all of the reps to access the data at the same
time. Microsoft has an excellent Access forum which may be
able to help you as you build your new database.
 
C

Charlie

Hi,

One option would be to use shared workbooks. See shared
workbook under help. If you choose to use Access you
would also need to share it by splitting it into front-end
back-end.

Charlie O'Neill
 
E

EddyT

I do something similar, using ADO to talk to the closed workbook eac
time an update of some kind is required. This only takes a second o
so, hence generally avoids the issue of multiple users using the sam
file.

A good (free) online tutorial you may be interested in can be foun
here:
http://www.w3schools.com/ado/ado_intro.as
 
J

Jamie Collins

...
you will need
to have the database split into two, namely a back end
which houses the database tables, and a front end which
houses the forms, reports and queries.
Click to expand...

Ah, the wacky world of MS Access! A front end database?!!
The joy of using a
relational database is that you can have separate tables
for things like your customer lists, material lists, etc.
Click to expand...

Not much joy, then. The OP may already have separate worksheets for these.

Jamie.

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