Database Services:
Visual Windows Software Ltd can offer businesses a variety of
database development and management services. These include the development of
new systems to your specification or the modification of an existing system.
What is a Database?
Databases are becoming an importanttool for the modern business. They can
store most any piece of information and print it out in a variety of formats and
reports.
The most common way a database works is to store information in a table
format (similar to a spreadsheet). Each column represents a field name and each
row a record. Developers can create any number of fields and for normal purposes
the number of rows (or records) is unlimited.
An example would be a "client contact list" with field names like
'First Name', 'Surname' and 'Address'. Each record (or row) would be a single
clients details. This is the most basic format, typically you would have
multiple tables linked together.
In this scenerio you could have a second table listing "company
names" and these two tables may need to be linked together because each
client can work for a company. You would configure the system so that two or
more contacts can work for the same record company. The advantage displayed here
is that you only have one listing for each piece of information ie. if the
company name changes then you only have to change it in one location.
With these two tables we can produce a list of contacts or companies or a
combined report grouping the contacts under the company they work for. These
lists can be sorted alphabetically, by telephone number or address. They can be
formated in the printout, formula could be added to modify any summaries and you
can search any field for any specific value.
Knowing this and the fact that you can work with text fields, numbers,
dates, currency and boolean (yes/no) values you are armed with a very powerful
tool.
Getting Information into the System:
Today's database software allow you to develop user friendly interfaces in a
variety of formats. The most common database management software 'Microsoft
Access' allows you to create forms (data entry pages) in a variety of formats
like that shown below, tabular lists and graphical results.
These forms allow you to set dates by clicking on calenders, enter
paragraphs of text into text boxes and automatically complete calculations based
on figures entered. They allow you to add, edit and delete records.
Good design and layout of these forms simplify any input process and reduce
the amount of work involved for your staff and database users.
Getting Results Out:
Just as important as getting information in to the system you need to get
your results out. The most typical way to do this is in the form of a report or
printout to your printer. These reports can be hundreds of pages long and
contain graph's, pictures and any variety of calculations.
Alternately the results can be displayed on a form in tabular format or in a
graph. Developers also can give the user the capabilities to export the data to
other programs, to a file or to be automatically faxed though a modem or sent
via email with one press of the button.
Databases on Web Sites:
Databases as not only found on your personnel computer or on your companies
network but are becoming more common on the web or business intranets. Where you
now have a static web site we can add database facilities that display's
changable information like knowledge base articles and product lists.
These additional facilities can be available to the public or restricted to
your staff or sales people through use of passwords. The resulting data can be
presented in the form of an 'asp' web page or in more advanced formats like
web-based software ('ActiveX Documents') programs.
An intranet web site, tracking visitors to showhomes, has been developed for
Firth Industries and advanced 'ActiveX Documents' has been built for Fletcher
Wood Panels allowing users to graphically schedule house bracing designs (go to
the FWP web site www.FWP.co.nz, 'Tools'
section). These ActiveX documents take web development to the next level when
normal web page limitations restrict the required end result.
Suggested Solutions:
To give ideas of what can be done we have listed some of the features we
have added to existing clients databases:
-
Client, project, contact lists databases
-
Manufacturing management systems (see Case
Studies sections of this web site)
-
Ability to build and send standard format letters, faxes and emails to
clients, contacts.
-
Ability to store letters, faxes and emails sent to clients and contacts.
-
Reminder facilities that tell a salesperson to contact a client about a
specific reason.
-
Scheduling facilities that compile orders, invoices and despatch forms.
-
Analysis reports that check efficiencies of manufacturing systems
including actual costs from materials consumed against quotes and invoices.
-
Project status reports that document the financial situation of a
project at any point in its life.
-
Time and expense scheduling for staff and employees against individual
projects.
Where to from here? Work out what you want to achieve, then come to us to
discuss your requirments. We will establish a possible solution or even multiple
solutions and let you decide if you want to proceed.
As always these decisions come down to economics. We will give you a
fixed price, if possible and support the product after installation. From there
we can assist with further developments as your company or requirements grow and
train staff in use of the system, if needed.