Is Access suitable for a subscription database

[lw]

I work for a boutique magazine publishing company.

Presently we outsource our database and we're looking to bring it in house
due to excessive agency fees.

We run on a small budget and are wondering if Access is appropriate for a
subscriber database? We have played with a few templates and none seem
appropriate. Have also tried to simply start a new database, which is
difficult given our lack of experience with Access.

Or, are we better forking out for specialist subscription management software?

Thanks.

 

[Daniel Pineault]

A subcription database? Could you explain a little more your needs.

If you simply need a tool, a database, for internal use and you will have a
limited number (around 50 or less depending on network and other factors) of
simultaneous users accessing it, then yes, MS Access is an excellent choice!
One note of caution, Access does not like Wireless networks, so the type of
network you have in your office might be a deciding factor. However, Access
is an excellent database with an easy to use interface, even for the
beginner! It is far faster to develop a custom db on Access then most, if
not all, other databases.

If on the other hand, you wish this to be a web based database, or need an
extensive number of simultaneous users to have access, then you'd be better
looking into alternative solutions.

But my original question remains. What are your needs? What are your input
(what data do you need to track)? and What do you want as outputs? Is all
you data simple text entry information or will you need to store images,
documents,...? Please provide us with some more details on your exact needs.
--
Hope this helps,

Daniel Pineault
http://www.cardaconsultants.com/
For Access Tips and Examples: http://www.devhut.net
Please rate this post using the vote buttons if it was helpful.

 

[John Spencer]

How much is your time worth? How much does the software cost?

Access could very welll be a solution to your needs; however, a well-designed
database can take considerable time to design and build.

You need to define what the database is going to do - create a mailing list
for each issue, create invoices, etc.

Also, what do you get for the "excessive" agency fees - data entry, data
security (backups, off-site storage, data recovery), specialized tech support?

John Spencer
Access MVP 2002-2005, 2007-2008
The Hilltop Institute
University of Maryland Baltimore County