DATABASE DISASTER!!!!

So I work at a call center and everyday we have to track our calls and have a set list of "fields" we have to complete for each call. Currently we are working through Excel and just creating a new one daily. We are supposed to have a giant database for all of the Representatives to use that way we can look up each person that calls and view their information from all of the other reps. Well as of now the "database" is just a giant Excel sheet with everybody's individual daily tracker copied and pasted into a giant mess!!! Fields are modified by reps, information isn't entered consistently, and it has become too difficult to keep in order. I have been entrusted with the task of creating a new database for the staff to use. We have 13 reps, including myself, that need to have individual trackers to document calls and a giant one that automatically updates from each tracker, while staying consistent and user friendly.  I thought I was doing well with the design, I added drop down boxes into the fields, giving a set list of options to choose from, keeping things simple, clean, organized. I'm stuck now on how I can create a database with everybody's individual trackers, because the database has to have a few things my supervisor required. Here is a list.

  • Automatic Updates
  • Have a master database view-able by everybody
  • No EDIT access for employees
  • Drop down boxes with set list of options for fields
  • Be able to pull certain fields of information for Quality and Metrics
  • Distribute template to every employee to replace EXCEL document
  • Have every individual template supply real-time (or close to it) data to the master database

If anybody has any suggestions I would greatly appreciate it!!!!!!!!!!! So far I have created a table in ACCESS that is similar to our EXCEL tracker we currently use. I have added drop down boxes with selections for each one and put special formatting or "lookup & relationship" fields with limitations (now I need to know how to lock those from being edited by employees while still being able to "fill in the blanks"). I have created 13 tables with each reps name all with the same information, I thought putting a relationship between each reps table and a "Master" table might help me achieve what I want but I'm not quite sure if it's possible.... I'm so lost and frustrated. Please, any help will be greatly appreciated. If I didn't explain something clearly enough, just let me know and I will try my best to explain it. 

August 20th, 2015 10:02pm

Having 13 tables for your reps is not a good idea. Make one table with a row (record) for each rep. 
Free Windows Admin Tool Kit Click here and download it now
August 21st, 2015 9:13am

I found and answered your crosspost here: http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/office/forum/office_2013_release-access/need-help-with-project-for-work/4ccb180f-e111-4299-8ca6-5c926398b375

August 21st, 2015 9:53am

Some things depend on the version of Access that you are using. It almost sounds like your supervisor wants a replicated database which is supported in earlier versions of Access but has been deprecated in later versions. IMHO it is better to use a split database BE (Back End) to contain all the data in Tables and a FE (Front End) to contain all Queries, Forms, Reports, Macros and Logic.

What version of Access are you programming in? And what version of Access will the Reps be using (Run Time version is suggested in most cases)?

xps350 is correct that there should only be 1 set of Tables for Records and the Reps should have a single Table with a Column for the RepID, RepName, RepLocation etc. as needed.

As far as lookup fields go, you should probably have a Table for each dataset you want for the lookup fields rather than using the built in Value List and base the dropdown on that.

For preventing users from making changes to the design of the interface, make sure of the following

  1. Construct all Tables first
  2. Each user gets their own copy of the FE
  3. The FE is formatted with the .accde extension to lock out the VBA project
  4. Remove unwanted Ribbon access
  5. Remove access to the navigation panel
  6. Have a startup Form preferably a navigation Form to use to move around the Forms
  7. Use a Query based on the Tables for the Forms

Let us know if this is helpful or if you need more help

Hth

Free Windows Admin Tool Kit Click here and download it now
August 21st, 2015 10:03am

This topic is archived. No further replies will be accepted.

Other recent topics Other recent topics