Database for Tech Support without Reinventing the Wheel

[SchoolTechie]

Hello everyone,



I recently started a job as a tech support aide for our public school system. Most of what we do involves fixing computers, printers, and smartboard-type systems. We currently have five techs in the district.

Currently, each of us has specific areas we work with, although the lines frequently get blurred. For example, I inderited the maintenance and troubleshooting of our Promethean smartboard systems. Although that is "my" area, teachers tend to ask whatever tech they find for help. Sometimes a tech will call me to ask about work done on a specific projector/board, which I may have in one of many spreadsheets. In addition, another tech has been responsible for purchasing the boards, and she has all of the purchase and warranty information.

What I think we need is a database where all of the technology we work with can be easily looked up by serial number, room number, teacher name, etc. We have tag numbers that we put on everything as well, although we currently do not have a master database to keep track of everything. My vision is that the database would include information on each item's location, purchase information, warranty information, and repair work.

I have never used Access or any other database for that matter other than a basic spreadsheet file. I am currently reading an article from Microsoft's website (Access 2010: Database Design Basics
). I'm learning a lot about what needs to go into the database and some of the steps to creating one. Before I jumped into creating one, I wanted to know if there was anyone out there who has a similar database already and would either be willing to share what they have created or provide suggestions that would be helpful in creating one.

Thanks in advance for any help you can provide! This looks like quite an undertaking...

[June7]

Sounds like a combination of asset tracking and customer service.

Search forum or Bing:

Access database call center

Access database work order management

Access database customer service
http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/te...010206880.aspx

Access database assets
There is a template available for download through Access. Click New and Assets might show immediately, otherwise navigate through the library.

Yes, this will be a significant effort.

[Dal Jeanis]

Also, check out Roger Carlson's database design tutorials at rogersaccesslibrary.com. A couple hours reviewing those before you start will save you doezens of hours of reengineering and head-wall-pounding later.