Webform Database Recommendation

T

tom

I have a local Excel spreadsheet I am potentially migrating to MS
Access. The thought was to use Access on the workstation for data-entry
and subsequent generation of mailing labels and other simple reports. I
also want to gather data from an internet webform--potentially, the
data will be entered into a MySQL database.

What is the best method to combine these two endeavors? That is: how
can I have workstation access to the database for manual
insert/update/delete, while allowing the webform to insert new records
into the database?

Thanks-
Tom
 
L

Larry Linson

I have a local Excel spreadsheet I am
potentially migrating to MS Access.
The thought was to use Access on the
workstation for data-entry and subse-
quent generation of mailing labels and
other simple reports. I also want to gather
data from an internet webform--potentially, the
data will be entered into a MySQL database.

So far, you seem to be talking about _two_ databases, a Jet (the default DB
engine that comes with Access) database and a MySQL database. But it is not
clear whether you hope to synchronize these two DBs, so they will have
(nearly) identical content and structure, or whether they each have
different tables that, together, make up a whole.
What is the best method to combine
these two endeavors?

"Best", like "beauty" is in the "eye of the beholder".
. . . That is: how
can I have workstation access to the
database for manual insert / update /
delete, while allowing the webform to
insert new records into the database?

This is going to depend on your clarification of the first part. Frankly, I
don't know any good, easy way to synchronize a local Access DB and a remote
MySQL DB. But, finally, you'll need to clarify how the workstation you
describe is connected to the web server... via the Internet, or via a Local
Area Network (LAN). In either case, how much control do _you_ (or your
project) have over that web server?

As "Ross for Boss" said, "The devil's in the details."

Larry Linson
Microsoft Access MVP
 
A

aaron.kempf

MSDE is a free alternative to mySql.. but SQL 2005 express is really
going to rock

you can hook up an Access Data Project for more complex Update, Edit,
Deletes.. and just do data entry via a webpage
 
T

tom

Ideally, I would like to to have just one database that can be
acccessed from two locations--the local workstation over the internet
(not a LAN), and from an internet webform hosted by an ISP. If that
doesn't work, then I would need two databases that can be synchronized
(via automatic, daily batch updates?)

Again, in the scope of this, I will be developing mailing labels using
this database; I want to develop these labels efficiently and to be
easily-maintainable (e.g., using Avery 2980 label templates in MS Word
mail merge), or something similar. I will also need to develop basic
reports based on different criteria.

Thanks!
 
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