The world’s most popular desktop database is Microsoft Access. It has about 12 million licensed copies all over the world and many PCs already have it installed. That is why many users are trying to use the software in order to store and maintain data there. Every new version of MS Access database comes out with certain improvements to make the work easier but there is still a lot to learn for a proper development of your database project. There is a way to define the complexity of your project and evaluate the advantage of using Access instead of spreadsheet database.
The first step is to determine the purpose of your database. You can use your database for organizing and tracking your information. It is the simplest type of you database and used to make sure all your information is efficiently stored. You can avoid entering the same information many times and you also avoid some common errors like misspelling the product name or duplication of the client’s name. If this it the purpose for your database then give point of 1 to this step.
Besides organizing and tracking information, your database can be also used for automating some of the processes. It is similar to the above database type but you don’t just enter data anymore, you also try to automate some of the processes your business manages. You can make your database send letters to clients, perform calculations or create reports for your management team. Microsoft Access is perfect for these tasks. But in order to perform that, you will need to learn and put a lot of effort into developing the database into such a functional application. If this is the case, give this step a point of 4.
The next step would be defining the user audience for your database. This step is the easiest and all you have to do is decide whether the database is intended only for you or for a group of other users in your company. If the database is only for you then this step gets 1 point. If the database is going to be used by one or two other people besides you, then give 2 points. Three points goes to the database that will be used by three more people. But if you intend to create the database for distribution it for others to buy and use, then give 6 points to this step.
The next step is to determine your must-have requirements. These are any features you need your database to have in order to achieve your goal. You need to think what look you want your database to have at the end. So, add the following points if it applies to your database. Add 3 points if your database will have forms with many types of information or reports also with many kinds of related information. Add 1 point for print reports. Add another 2 if you plan to send information via email. Add 3 more points if you plan to import data to your database from other sources. Add 4 points for security features. And custom menu navigation gets 3 points.
And the last step is to calculate your score and see how complex you database project is. If your database got 1 to 8 score then your database is simple and it will require some patience and the ability to follow the wizard. The 9 to 16 score is the medium complexity database and it will require the desktop applications understanding and macro creation. The advanced complexity database score is 17 to 30. You should have the understanding of database design and SQL as well as Visual Basic skills and macro creation. And the 31 to 49 score is the professional database which will require Visual Basic advanced skills, SQL Server and application packaging skills.
The sphere of computers and computer applications grows all the time. But you can turn this issue into your strong point by catching up with this knowledge and becoming an expert, for example in microsoft access database sphere.
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