Payroll -- Is it even possible?!

[REJesser]

Good afternoon,

I am attempting to create a Payroll Database. I work for a boating
business. I need the database to contain:

Employee Number (linked to Employee Table)
Employee Name (linked to Employee Table)
Rate of Pay (linked to Rate of Pay Table)
Extra Pay
Boat assigned to (linked to Vessel Information Table)
Date

I have always used Excel to track this information. There are times when I
need perform the time intensive task of going back up to 5 years and
determine how many days a crewmember was at work, what boat were they on, and
how many total days they were on each boat. I am hoping a database can make
this a snap.

The Payroll Database would need to be able to create a report each month on
the 1st and 16th. The pay periods are from 1-15 and 16 – end of the month.
I would gladly send someone a copy of the Excel Time Sheet I use if that
would help visualize this whole deal.

I have the Employee Table, Rate of Pay Table, and Vessel Information Table
already. Now it is just a matter of combining them into something that
alleviates – not causes – headaches.

Thank you very much for any assistance you can provide
Ron

 

[Steve]

Hello Ron,

I provide help with Access applications for a very modest fee. I would like
to offer to put this database together for you for a very nominal fee. If
you want my help, contact me.

Steve
(e-mail address removed)

 

[John... Visio MVP]

Hello Ron,

I provide help with Access applications for a very modest fee. I would
like to offer to put this database together for you for a very nominal
fee. If you want my help, contact me.

Steve
(e-mail address removed)

These newsgroups are provided by Microsoft for FREE peer to peer support.
There are many highly qualified individuals who gladly help for free. Stevie
is not one of them, but he is the only one who just does not get the idea of
"FREE" support. He offers questionable results at unreasonable prices. If he
was any good, the "thousands" of people he claims to have helped would be
flooding him with work, but there appears to be a continuous drought and he
needs to constantly grovel for work.

A few gems gleaned from the Word New User newsgroup over the Christmas
holidays to show Stevie's "expertise" in Word.


Dec 17, 2008 7:47 pm

Word 2007 ..........
In older versions of Word you could highlght some text then go to Format -
Change Case and change the case of the hoghloghted text. Is this still
available in Word 2007? Where?
Thanks! Steve


Dec 22, 2008 8:22 pm

I am designing a series of paystubs for a client. I start in landscape and
draw a table then add columns and rows to setup labels and their
corresponding value. This all works fine. After a landscape version is
completed, I next need to design a portrait version. Rather than strating
from scratch, I'd like to be able to cut and paste from the landscape
version and design the portrait version.
Steve


Dec 24, 2008, 1:12 PM

How do you protect the document for filling in forms?
Steve


One of my favourites:
Dec 30, 2008 8:07 PM - a reply to stevie
(The original poster asked how to sort a list and stevie offered to create
the OP an Access database)

Yes, you are right but a database is the correct tool to use not a
spreadsheet.

Not at all. If it's just a simple list then a spreadsheet is perfectly
adequate...




John... Visio MVP

 

[BruceM]

Steve, Steve! You were doing rather well for a while, but then you tried to
slip in a solicitation for paid work. You should know you will be called
out every time you try that trick.

To the OP, visit www.pcdatasheet.com for more of an idea about Steve's
capabilities. Be sure to check out the Excel/Access tips. Oh wait, they're
"coming soon". That notice has only been there for a few years, so any day
now they should be ready.

 

[gls858]

Good afternoon,

I am attempting to create a Payroll Database. I work for a boating
business. I need the database to contain:

Employee Number (linked to Employee Table)
Employee Name (linked to Employee Table)
Rate of Pay (linked to Rate of Pay Table)
Extra Pay
Boat assigned to (linked to Vessel Information Table)
Date

I have always used Excel to track this information. There are times when I
need perform the time intensive task of going back up to 5 years and
determine how many days a crewmember was at work, what boat were they on, and
how many total days they were on each boat. I am hoping a database can make
this a snap.

The Payroll Database would need to be able to create a report each month on
the 1st and 16th. The pay periods are from 1-15 and 16 – end of the month.
I would gladly send someone a copy of the Excel Time Sheet I use if that
would help visualize this whole deal.

I have the Employee Table, Rate of Pay Table, and Vessel Information Table
already. Now it is just a matter of combining them into something that
alleviates – not causes – headaches.

Thank you very much for any assistance you can provide
Ron

Depending on your skills and desire, you may be better to buy an off the
shelf solution. Take a look at Quickbooks(there are others). It may
sound a little pricey but if you consider all of the extra stuff you get
and the time your going to invest, my guess is you would be money ahead.

gls858

 

[REJesser]

Thank you for the advice John.

Going back to my original database question, if it is possible, how can I
create the desired table? I would like to be able to enter the information
in a view similar to my Excel Time Sheet. The columns across the spreadsheet
are labeled:

Employee Name / Employee Number / Day of Month (1-15 or 16 – End of Month) /
Rate of Pay / Extra Pay

Thanks again

 

[Steve]

gls858 is right. If you go to the do-it-yourself route, expect to invest a
lot of time. The Quickbooks suggestion is way too much overkill for what you
need. You also won't be able to do the kind of searches you want. I can
build you a simple, no hassle, easy to use database that will do all you
want for a modest fee.

Steve
(e-mail address removed)

 

[John... Visio MVP]

gls858 is right. If you go to the do-it-yourself route, expect to invest a
lot of time. The Quickbooks suggestion is way too much overkill for what
you need. You also won't be able to do the kind of searches you want. I
can build you a simple, no hassle, easy to use database that will do all
you want for a modest fee.

Steve
(e-mail address removed)

Still trying to pimp your services?


These newsgroups are provided by Microsoft for FREE peer to peer support.
There are many highly qualified individuals who gladly help for free. Stevie
is not one of them, but he is the only one who just does not get the idea of
"FREE" support. He offers questionable results at unreasonable prices. If he
was any good, the "thousands" of people he claims to have helped would be
flooding him with work, but there appears to be a continuous drought and he
needs to constantly grovel for work.

A few gems gleaned from the Word New User newsgroup over the Christmas
holidays to show Stevie's "expertise" in Word.


Dec 17, 2008 7:47 pm

Word 2007 ..........
In older versions of Word you could highlght some text then go to Format -
Change Case and change the case of the hoghloghted text. Is this still
available in Word 2007? Where?
Thanks! Steve


Dec 22, 2008 8:22 pm

I am designing a series of paystubs for a client. I start in landscape and
draw a table then add columns and rows to setup labels and their
corresponding value. This all works fine. After a landscape version is
completed, I next need to design a portrait version. Rather than strating
from scratch, I'd like to be able to cut and paste from the landscape
version and design the portrait version.
Steve


Dec 24, 2008, 1:12 PM

How do you protect the document for filling in forms?
Steve


One of my favourites:
Dec 30, 2008 8:07 PM - a reply to stevie
(The original poster asked how to sort a list and stevie offered to create
the OP an Access database)

Yes, you are right but a database is the correct tool to use not a
spreadsheet.

Not at all. If it's just a simple list then a spreadsheet is perfectly
adequate...




John... Visio MVP

 

[tina]

it's not clear what the purpose of the data is, RE. if you're actually
wanting to calculate and track PAYROLL, that's pretty complex - unless
you're paying folks cash under the table, or working in a country that has
no tax of any kind on personal income. living in the USA, i don't think i'd
touch payroll with a ten- (make that fifty-) foot pole, especially since
there are proven solutions available out-of-the-box.

but i'm wondering if you're actually tracking employee hours / labor
expenses. that seems a bit more in line with the information you posted. and
from the description, it's related data that probably would be better
handled in Access than in Excel. but Access isn't Excel on steroids - it's a
completely different concept in storing and manipulating data. if you build
the db right, i imagine you *can* make your data entry / reporting work "a
snap". but building it right definitely will NOT be a snap.

i'm not trying to discourage you, just give you a reality check. if you're
prepared to invest a significant amount of time and energy into learning
relational design principles, and then learning to use the Access tool to
build the application you need, go for it. to get started, see
http://home.att.net/~california.db/tips.html#aTip1.

hth

 

[Steve]

Tina is repeating here the same thing gls858 is saying. The reality check is
that you will need to invest a significant amount of time and energy to
build your database. I can build you a simple, no hassle, easy to use
database that will do all you want for a modest fee. Contact me, you have
nothing to lose.

Steve
(e-mail address removed)

 

[Noëlla Gabriël]

Hi Jesser,

the general rule here: be very carefull with people that insist to help you,
for a price, on a forum which provides free help. The more if they promise a
simple, no hassle, easy to use application without having looked at the
complete problem.

 

[Brendan Reynolds]

Good afternoon,

I am attempting to create a Payroll Database. I work for a boating
business. I need the database to contain:

<snip>

I used to be responsible for maintaining and enhancing an Access payroll
system. Although it is possible, I would strongly advise against it. You can
get good, off-the-shelf, professional payroll apps, developed by experts in
the field, for a fraction of what it would cost to do it yourself (if you
place any kind of realistic value on your time). I just did a quick Google
search, and I see that Sage are selling QuickPay here in Ireland for 159
euro, and Thesaurus Software sell PayrollManager for 140 euro. Under those
circumstances, it just doesn't make any sense to 'roll your own'.

 

[Noëlla Gabriël]

Hi,

the problem we had with our boating (seafaring co) was in fact that no
commercial package really covered our needs. Naval laws and situations are
very special, like being on see working 3 months without 1 day of leave
(including Sundays and holidays), and then coming home and having a vacation
of some months. Believe us, we made a thorough study of existing packages
before deciding on writing our own.

 

[Keith Wilby]

Contact me, you have nothing to lose.

.... except money, time, the hair the OP will tear out ...

How about another page on your web site called "Decorum and Respect". You
could have "coming soon" on it for the rest of your life on the basis of the
ineptness you demonstrate on here.

 

[Keith Wilby]

Good afternoon,

I am attempting to create a Payroll Database. I work for a boating
business. I need the database to contain:

Employee Number (linked to Employee Table)
Employee Name (linked to Employee Table)
Rate of Pay (linked to Rate of Pay Table)
Extra Pay
Boat assigned to (linked to Vessel Information Table)
Date

That's pretty sensitive data and you might come unstuck if it fell into the
wrong hands because Access isn't that secure. Others have suggested a COTS
package and that's where I'd invest my time and money if it were me. Steer
well clear of anyone on here who asks you for money.

Keith.
www.keithwilby.co.uk

 

[Wayne-I-M]

Hi

I think the point that most people are making (except Steve including
you is that a pay role system is "probably" above the skill level of some
asking general questions in a forum like this. OK many MVP's and other ask
specific questions but general "can this be done" type question leads you to
think that the OP may be better just buying an off the shelf application.

OK - some people may shout at me for this, sorry - but I do agree with Steve
here. If an off the shelf application is not do the job then it "may" be an
idea to get someone in to do it for you when it comes to pay role DB's. NOT
saying that Steve is right to run adverts in this forum but just that he is
right about it being a good idea to get outside help. I have made a small
Pay Role app and it was a pig :0) as there is no off the shelf app that will
cope with outdoor instructors (they work very strange hours, don't take paid
holidays, but do get holiday pay, some clothing allowances are tax free (as
they are for safety) some isn’t, etc, etc).

So Ron - have a look at the suggestions that Brendan suggested. I have just
looked at them and they would seem to be a good place to start.

OK - another suggestion (I know nothing about working on ships and rules
that go with this by the way) but you "may" be able to contact someone who
have already made a specific Ships app and see if they would be prepared to
sell you this. You could contact Noëlla and speak to them and see if this is
a possibility.

Good luck with your app

 

[Keith Wilby]

Thank you for the advice John.

Going back to my original database question, if it is possible, how can I
create the desired table? I would like to be able to enter the
information
in a view similar to my Excel Time Sheet. The columns across the
spreadsheet
are labeled:

Employee Name / Employee Number / Day of Month (1-15 or 16 – End of Month)
/
Rate of Pay / Extra Pay

Thanks again

You need to get out of spreadsheet mode. You'll likely need more than one
table, from the above I'd say you'd need an employee table and a "hours
worked" table for starters. Have a look at the example database (Northwind)
that ships with Access, it'll give you an insight into how entities are
represented in tables and how they are related to each other. My 2p worth:
you have a steep learning curve and quite a big task ahead of you.

Keith.
www.keithwilby.co.uk

 

[BruceM]

Unless you have your own off-the-shelf software package you cannot begin to
design a custom database with functionality exceeding what is available in
commercial products for less than the commercial product costs. You don't
know what kind of searches are needed other than the one mentioned, so your
claim is based on a guess at best.

Stop soliciting here. You will not be allowed free rein, or any rein at all
for that matter.

 

[BruceM]

Do not contact Steve. He is a fraud.

Steve, you make it very difficult to be polite. The OP has no interest in
your offer. Stop groveling. You have too little dignity left to be able to
afford that.

 

[BruceM]

I agree to the extent that an off-the-shelf propgram may be inadequate, but
the idea that it can be done simply, quickly, and cheaply as an alternative
to off-the-shelf is an unsustainable boast, particularly in the absence of
project details.

I like the idea of contacting other companies in a similar line of work to
see what they do.