Hi Everyone

First I want to say that I know absolutely nothing about databases except how to use an existing one. I've recently took a job at a new company and we are looking into the possibility of moving all our data into a database. I've looked into previous posts but could not find any specific recommendations.

My question: Does anyone have a recommendation for a cheap / free database that will be good for sales data etc. E.g. quotations, orders, previous orders, client details etc. All the basics really. But what would also be a big benefit is if I can find something that you can add the product you sold as well - like maybe a photograph of the last product sold etc. Is this even possible?

Thanks very much

What you are asking for is not a database but an application. Sales or contact management. If you are willing to program, you can construct your own out of the numerous open source or free databases available. MySql is one.

You could try OpenOffice's database called Base: http://www.openoffice.org/product/b...

Which has a data base. I'm not sure that you can use photos, but I assume you can as it accepts embedded objects.

File Maker Pro is relatively inexpensive and is very user friendly.

Microsoft Access comes with older Office versions, but you need a book to get you up an running if you're not real familiar with databases.

It usually takes more than three weeks to prepare a good impromptu speech.
- Mark Twain

Hey guys

Sorry about the late reply. Thanks very much for your advice. I'll go to the openoffice site now.

Thanks again

Did OpenOffice work out OK for you?

I think that God in creating Man somewhat overestimated his ability.
- Oscar Wilde

Hi seawatch1

Sorry, my fault for not posting back sooner. I've just been looking at the OpenOffice suite really. I downloaded the whole OpenOffice suite. The Base does look good but so hard to configure. If possible, can you have a look at the Filemaker Pro database suite and tell me what you think of it?

Link
http://www.filemaker.com/solutions/...

There's a Business Productivity Kit also.

I find it hard initially setting up the database. Do you have any guidance on that?

Thanks

Well, with any database, the hard part is setting it up.

You should probably lay out on paper what sort of information you need. Customer Name, Address, Zip Code, Phone Number etc.

The more columns you have, GENERALLY, the easier it is to sort and filter your data.

Before buying something I would go thru the FileMaker pro web pages and look at how their examples are laid out. File Maker Pro uses a lot of drag and drop which can save you hours of fiddling with your data.

You may also want to pick up an older book on Microsoft Access, almost any version, but one of the 'bible' type books and look at the early chapters on how to layout data so you have an idea of what you can and cannot do with data.

Databases can do amazing things and really provide you with really cool ways to look at your data, however, the most important part is to layout your data in advance. If you don't, you are going to have problems later.

As far as the productivity Business pack, I would wait until you have the basics down before you start trying to link everything to a web page.

The more you do at the beginning, the boring part, the more fun your database will be.

Larry

It usually takes more than three weeks to prepare a good impromptu speech.
- Mark Twain

Hi seawatch1

Thanks again for your valuable advice an guidance mate. And don't worry I won't just buy it. I'll probably first try something 'easier' as you pointed first looking into the MS Access route. And yes, for me the hard part is the initial setu as I'm sure it will be for most people.

I've worked with DATABASES alot in the past but only as a user thereof. I've never even thought of developing one myself.

One route I'm looking at is having a Sales Database with the usual features - client details, what products we've sold them etc. ne important thig for me - if at all possible - is if I can insert a picture of the products sold to the client for future reference. For instance if they need repairs etc. we'll know exactly what the have.

The reason for this is that we want to set our website up so that clients that fall under warranty might 'log' the faults with their product we sold them and then we can respond to it automatically etc. Well, more than that even.

Anyway not to take up too much of your time. Thanks very much

OK.

Pick up a book on Access, any used one will probably do, but for a person just starting out, I would probably use File Maker Pro which will save you many hair pulling hours.

I use Access and a friend of mine has File Maker Pro and he could do everything we needed to do much faster than I could.

Make sure you contact your web site host to find out what database file types they accept first. You don't want to develop a full data base only to find your provider doesn't support that type of file on their web site.

I think that God in creating Man somewhat overestimated his ability.
- Oscar Wilde

And you may want to watch this demo: http://www.filemaker.com/downloads/...

It will give you quick over view.

Larry

I think that God in creating Man somewhat overestimated his ability.
- Oscar Wilde

Hi,
You can make your work much easier by using one of these advanced database tools:

http://www.outyard.com/Mall/Databas...

Hope I helped you,
David.

Hi David

Thanks for your advice. I'll have a look at it sometime today or tomorrow and post again.

Thanks