Hi all
For some of you this will be very simple. Probably take you lest than 30 min. I am guessing will take me many days to learn and create but I need it so I will if that is my only option.
I just got a new job. I was hired to implement an ERP software. The currently do everything within excel sheets. I have the software installed and running but now cost has become an issue and they are not willing to deploy all of the features it offers.
We are a bread factory. We have distributors and also in-house drivers. Now some of them give us the data from handheld devices they use when they deliver our product. Others give us paper invoices and employees sit all day entering them into the account software.
The new ERP program does offer the ability to use handheld devices when delivering the items. It then uploads it into the program. I export it from the ERP program then upload into the accounting program.
The problem is it is $60 a month per route. We have over 30 routes. If we deploy this it will eliminate the need for one or more employees who do data enter all day and then pay for itself. But they are not willing to do that.
I have found a way to get the handheld data that we get from our distributors into the accounting program from excel. I take the data we get from the distributor’s handheld devices, I then have created 10-12 VBA macros within excel and convert it to how I need it and use a program I found to upload it.
If I can create a simple Access database that I can give to distributors who currently give us paper invoices where they fill in the blanks with what they delivered for the day. It then needs to be exported to an excel file and sent to us. I can then just import it. It will need it to be very simple to enter and export the data from the access database so I am able to teach the distributors office staff. I am hoping there is a way I can just have a button they click after entering the data and it will convert into and excel file.
The reason I want to create a database and not have them use excel is to minimize user error. Rather than having them enter the data into and excel file I can create a database with dropdown boxes to chose the company and items.
I did take an access class in college but that was over 10 years ago and I have forgot everything. I can picture what I need. Tables that are linked to fields. Where I can fill in the tables with the options, I want to show in the drop-down boxes. I only need 6 fields. “Date, invoice number, item quantity and price”. The date and invoice number will auto populate. Maybe I can give the invoice number for each distributor a different starting number and it will just increase from there. The price will need to be linked to the items. The items and customer names will be what I put in the tables.
Does anyone know of a place I can get something created for me like this that is very inexpensive or free? Or next option will be to learn and create myself. Who knows the best place for me to start would be good to know?
Also thoughts how long this could take to create.
Thank you for anyone who did read all of this!!
I did also post this in another forum. The more advice the better. I am on a time restraint.