first time user - help with setup

[jhill007]

Good morning,



This is my first post here and I am not 100% sure that MS Access is the answer to my question, but I am hoping for some assistance. My company uses a 3rd party to take user level form entry and store in a cloud database. We have over 300 entries with over 15 columns of data. I export the database from their cloud server regularly to an excel file for long-term storage and reference.

I would like to host this database locally instead of using a 3rd party cloud based service, and that brings me to Access and the potential capability of the program. I have never used Access, but from what I have read, either mysql or Access would be the likely apps to take on this task. I am very proficient within excel, but beyond that I am learning.

I would like to know if Access is the database of choice to store this data within and allow a user to use a mobile device (iphone) to fill out a form with new data and append the database properly. We have 6 field users and 3 office personnel that use the database currently. All employees in the field are tasked with logging their service entries for the day and submitting the form. The office personnel review the data for accuracy and invoice customers accordingly.

If I am going down the wrong path with Access, please let me know. Otherwise, I am open to suggestions and starting my training. I plan to have this project commissioned within 9 months.

Thanks!

[ranman256]

Access is great for storing large datasets and retrieving results, but Im not sure it has mobile device connection.
You may need a front end for mobiles, but for desktop its fantastic.

Anyone know of mobile app for access?

[ssanfu]

Welcome to the forum....

How are you getting data to the cloud database now? On the mobile device (iPhone/iPad), do the users go to a secure web page, enter the data and press a submit button?


Depending on how you set it up, Access *might* be able to be used. Access will corrupt if used over a WAN; any blip in the connection between the FE and the BE will cause corruption.
A work around might be using an ADO connection.
(So I would not use Access as the BE)

You could use SQL Server Express. It sounds like there is not much data, and SQLSE can hold up to 10GB.
Or you could use mySQL.


At the 30,000 foot level, you would have a secure web site/page.
You log in to the web page, enter the data, press a submit button.
The web page does whatever validation is required, forms a valid SQL update query, and submits it to the server (on your local computer/server).

[jhill007]

In response to the question of HOW we are getting the data from mobile devices...

Currently we use an app which is also provided by the 3rd party. The user logs in with creds on the app and opens the form. Once form is complete, submit button is pressed and cloud database is updated.

I want something that is somewhat of a fun challenge for myself to set up (personal goal), yet is very easy for my field techs to utilize. In the end, we want to have total control over our information and not leasing it from another company. I haven't even started the project yet, but will definitely be open to other ideas if access will have the risk of corrupting

[isladogs]

I use Access successfully on a Windows tablet with a 10 inch screen. However I've no experience of it on 7" tablets and would be surprised if it could work on a Windows phone even if you have one. Definitely not on iPhone or Android.

Some of the tablet apps use an internet connection where available but due to issues with network connections already described by ssanfu, data transfer with the backend is only done in a limited way when back at the base or by uploading files by email e.g customers digital signatures.

If the setup I'm describing is of any possible use to you, I'm happy to answer any questions.