Before it gets too deep !!

[James B]

I am wanting to build a warehouse inventory system and would like to use
Access since we already own it. I would like to know if someone can tell me
if Access is capable of doing a couple of things before I start.
1. Can Access create / output barcode labels to a thermal printer such as an
Intermec 3400?
2. Can the Access database somehow be converted / used as a webpage? The
reason I would want to do this is to allow customers access to the system to
view their inventory levels, transaction details, etc.
Thanks in advance for any responses or suggestions !!!

 

[Pat Hartman\(MVP\)]

1. Access can use any printer for which you have the correct windows drivers
and fonts.
2. Access doesn't have very good web tools. As long as all you want is the
ability to view data, something like FrontPage could be used to present
Access data as a web page.

 

[James B]

Thanks for your response ! In a perfect world what software would YOU use to
do a first rate job of accomplishing a rich, feature filled, inventory system?

 

[Pat Hartman\(MVP\)]

I would use Access. I find web applications flat, slow, and annoying. I
don't like to use them. I have no interest in developing them. They remind
me very much of my mainframe days. They may look prettier than my CICS
screens for the 3270 but they work essentially the same way and with the
same limitations. Only the client/server environment can give you a "rich"
experience at this time.

If you are not already an experienced developer with C# or any other
language that you choose to use, you don't have a snowball's chance in Hell
of getting an application up and running by yourself. However, Access is
such a rich and forgiving development environment that many non-developers
are able to develop workable applications.

No software is the perfect tool for all tasks. You should choose the tool
that works best for each task. Right now, Access is the tool for the basic
application. I suggested FrontPage for the web parts, not because it is the
best tool necessarily, but because it is a tool that you might already have
and it doesn't take a PHD to get it working.

 

[James B]

OK...you've got me thinking that I am on the right path. I do have Access and
I am pretty familiar with Frontpage.
You seem very knowledgible about this so I am going to propose a couple more
scenarios to you if you don't mind.
I have one person in the office entering orders, I have one person in the
warehouse filling the orders. Can Access somehow alert the person in the
warehouse that a new order has been entered and on the flip side send an
acknowledgement to the inside person that the order has been filled and
shipped, through something as simple as a screenprompt, etc..
And my final question, sorry if I am being a pest, I'd just like to know if
certain things are possible, then I'll go off and figure out how to make it
happen....say there is an order placed that requires 10 boxes or totes (we
ship parts to Daimler Chrysler in totes) to fill the order. Each box or tote
has to have a unique barcode label printed and affixed to the box or tote.
Can Access do this simply by knowing the total qty of the order and the
amount of parts that one box or tote contains? I guess creating the barcode
labels is my greatest concern with Access. Right now we use an antiquated
system based on the PICK OS, but it does do a very good job of automating the
labeling process.
Anyway, I hope I am not wasting your time, just want to know what I am
getting into BEFORE I get into it.
Thanks again !!!

 

[PC Datasheet]

Are the office and warehouse on a network? If so, they woule both be using
the same database. The database file containing the tables would be
installed on the server and both the warehouse and office would have a copy
of the application file installed on their computer. A simple way for the
office to communiucate that an order has been placed and for the warehouse
to communicate that an order has been filled is to place this information on
the opening screen of the database. Presumably both the office and warehouse
use their computers for other tasks so they coul periodically check the
database for new messages. Outlook has a feature where on-screen messages
can be sent. This is an alternative whereby Access could be programmed to
send a message through Outlook. Another alyernative is that Access could be
programmed to send out emails about order status.

Re Barcodes. This is an everyday task for Access. Open Access, go to reports
and click New. You will see there a label wizard for creating just about any
kind of label you might want. For the barcode part, this is just a matter of
setting the font in the label report to a barcode font. Easy stuff for
Access!


--
PC Datasheet
Your Resource For Help With Access, Excel And Word Applications
(e-mail address removed)
www.pcdatasheet.com

If you can't get the help you need in the newsgroup, I can help you for a
very reasonable fee. Over 1000 Access users have come to me for help.
Need a month calendar or 7 day calendar? Need appointment scheduling? Need
room reservations scheduling? Need employee work scheduling? Contact me!

 

[James B]

Yes they are on a network, so your solution makes a lot of sense. I also like
your thought about using Outlook to send onscreen messages.
I will look at the barcoding part later, but this is very encouraging.
Thanks VERY much for your reply !

 

[PC Datasheet]

Two additional hints ---

1. Be sure to split your application into two files; the front end only
containing the tables and the backend containing everything else. Put the
backend file on the server and a copy of the frontend file on both the
office computer and the warehouse computer. From the front end, link to the
backend tables.
2. Use late binding to write your Outlook automation code.


--
PC Datasheet
Your Resource For Help With Access, Excel And Word Applications
(e-mail address removed)
www.pcdatasheet.com

If you can't get the help you need in the newsgroup, I can help you for a
very reasonable fee. Over 1000 Access users have come to me for help.
Need a month calendar or 7 day calendar? Need appointment scheduling? Need
room reservations scheduling? Need employee work scheduling? Contact me!

 

[Ed Warren]

I'll jump in here with yet another option to consider.
Microsoft has an Office application called infoPath that is designed to do
exactly what you are considering.
It can connect up with a database, gives a rich business form like user
experience, has built in the ability to send/recieve automatic notification.
It may be an option worth exploring.

Ed Warren

 

[PC Datasheet]

When you get to the point of looking at barcoding, check into the Code39
barcode. It's the simplest to use and if you google you'll find many places
to download it for free.

--
PC Datasheet
Your Resource For Help With Access, Excel And Word Applications
(e-mail address removed)
www.pcdatasheet.com

If you can't get the help you need in the newsgroup, I can help you for a
very reasonable fee. Over 1000 Access users have come to me for help.
Need a month calendar or 7 day calendar? Need appointment scheduling? Need
room reservations scheduling? Need employee work scheduling? Contact me!

 

[tina]

one additional consideration is that an Access database usually performs
well on a local area network (LAN), but poorly on a wide area network (WAN).

hth

 

[Some Bloke]

Two additional hints ---

1. the front end only
containing the tables and the backend containing everything else.

Don't think I'll be hiring you somehow.

 

[PC Datasheet]

James,

I stand corrected!

The tables go in the backend and everything else goes in the frontend. I
mistakenly reversed them.

--
PC Datasheet
Your Resource For Help With Access, Excel And Word Applications
(e-mail address removed)
www.pcdatasheet.com

If you can't get the help you need in the newsgroup, I can help you for a
very reasonable fee. Over 1000 Access users have come to me for help.
Need a month calendar or 7 day calendar? Need appointment scheduling? Need
room reservations scheduling? Need employee work scheduling? Contact me!