Dave,
It seems to me you are mixing up How and What. Joe asked What you are trying to do and you responded (in my view) with How things should work. This is an issue when people who do not understand your business and processes, and all we know is what you tell us. When you tell us How , when we still do not fully understand WHAT, it is difficult to offer focused responses. We have to understand What before we can offer advice/alternatives for HOW.
In simple, plain English, What are you trying to do?