Shape Identity Tags linked to existing Access Database

[UCDennis]

I have a large existing Access Database that identifies equipment (+ valves,
pumps, ATS, etc) by building, room # and system. I have and am creating
vision drawings of rooms and or systems for emergency response and training.
What is the best way to apply unique identity tags to shapes in drawings that
can link to this existing database? The database supplies manufactures
data, size, etc.

Thank you,
Dennis

 

[David Parker]

If you have Visio Professional 2003 then the Space Plan template will allow
you link room shapes to your database, and to automatically import equipment
into the rooms.

Alternatively, the Database Wizard allows you to link records for rooms and
equipment, but their layout will not be automatic.

In either case, ensure that you have a key field (which can be a composite)
that is recognizable.

Using the database wizard, you can break your equipment table up into either
several views/querydefs or specify several fields (up to 5) are used to
uniquely identify the record. For example, sepcifying
building/room/system/id as the key fields (even if id is the primary key
really) would have the effect of cascading a filter from building to rooms
in the building, to systems in the room, to ids within the system, making
selection far easier, whereas just specifying the id would make selection
pretty difficult from a large number of records.