Access Programmer

[robess01]

Over the last few months I built a website which is now online.

I am wanting to build a basic access database that will operate as an entry level expert system. The application will be free and needs to be simple. All this is an issue because if you cannot sell an application the cost of building it is unrecoverable money, so I have to keep costs down. I am at this forum to ask what members think is the best and lowest cost way of building an access database. I am thinking India and using such sites as Freelancer.com? I live in Australia and in Australia for example high wages and the high cost of living make engaging an Australian Access programmer uneconomic. Does anyone know an Access programmer who is looking for some work? I have a budget but I am not expecting something for nothing either.

Robert Lopez

 

[Catalina]

It probably depends on how small, or elaborate the application would have to be. If you are looking for something simple you may find someone capable and willing to do it for some pocket money.

However, if you need something really professional be prepared to pay what the programmer is worth. Also keep in mind that support may be crucial, if you need a change down the line, or an error has to be corrected you need a programmer who is willing to take care of it.

Whatever you do, have an agreement in place that specifies exactly what you can expect, including if you will own the source code or not. Too many projects have ended in disaster because of disagreements between the customer and programmer. I worked for a business once that used a custom program. After a while we discovered a problem, the programmer had disappeared and the source code with him. So we had to deal with a crippled program, until there was a budget to replace it.

I'm not a professional programmer but recently I made an application for a local business (and the owner is happy with it). I spelled out up front what he could expect, and there were no problems.

Also, it is probably a good thing for you to read up up on procedures and agreements in this field, so you know what you are in for.

Good luck with your project.

Catalina

 

[Pat Hartman]

If price is your only criteria, you will get what you pay for.

Who is going to design the application? They don't design themselves. Do you know enough to design a properly normalized schema? Will the BE be ACE or SQL Server? Do you have your business rules documented? Do you have mockups of forms and reports? Do you know best practices regarding naming standards? Can you write VBA? Can you read it? Do you expect your developer to be fluent with VBA or will you allow macros? Do you understand error trapping? Who will decide on colors and fonts? Will security be required? Will the database be for a single user or multi-user? Who will maintain the application? Is your business a common one that most people would understand without a lot of training? Do you speak another language?

The total cost of the project involves more than just throwing together a few objects and calling it a database. How much is your time worth? The more experienced the developer, the less time you will need to spend supervising and explaining standard business practices and the less total time the project will take. An experienced developer can also offer alternatives and even pick up things you missed in your spec.

I use guru.com. Some of the other sites are simply a race to the bottom. You'll see people quoting $20 for a database that should take 10 hours. What do you think you'll get for that price? Guru at least puts your payment in escrow and there is a mediation service if it comes to that.

When you post your requirements, be as specific as you can. How many tables (assuming you can design the schema), how many forms, reports, etc. Ask for estimated hours rather than fixed price. Set up a change control procedure. You can't expect to change the specs and not pay for it. Don't post your price range or what you think the project will take. You want to get several opinions and hopefully you'll will get a few that fall into the same ballpark. You should also insist on Access development experience and expect to review applications that the programmer has developed for other clients. You don't want someone who develops web pages trying to create this app for you.

Once the schema is designed and the business rules documented and the flow laid out, the majority of Access forms and reports can be built by an experienced developer in under two hours each with many under a half hour. Then there are those that will take 40 hours because of complicated processing and formatting. Much of the cost can be controlled by you. Do you insist on custom navigation buttons on every form or can you live with the built in functionality? Do you require custom dialog boxes or will Access standards be OK. As I tell my clients. Method A is free, method B will cost x. Access is a RAD environment but you need someone who understands Access to take advantage of it. We help a lot of people here and experienced developers in other environments have almost as much trouble as untrained users because they have expectations based on their standard environement and since they are not afraid of code, they frequently resort to brute force rather than learning the Access "way".

Good luck

 

[robess01]

Thank you for comments. I have a budget of AUD $5000 - $10,000. I know a little of Access but I am an accountant by profession with a background in systems work. The software has to be provided free of charge. It is a long story as to why this is so. I know there is much to look into but I am trying to get the biggest bang for my buck.

Robert

 

[Pat Hartman]

That's a pretty good budget but it won't get you a fraction of what Quickbooks or Quicken do for a few hundred. If you are interested in having me quote the job please send a PM with the specs.

 

[robess01]

Thank you. I am not trying to build a database to replace an accounting system. I am trying to build an expert system to complement an accounting system. Case in point - reconciling a bank account in QB's. Assess database, linking forms, checklist, videos, audios etc that allows an accountant/bookkeeper to have more junior staff complete the reconciliation. Think of electronic mentoring. I have a significant background in this area. That is designing systems (checklists) for small business accounting staff so they can do better and more accurate processing. It is not rocket science more about knowing the accounting culture of small organisations. The website I have at expertsoftwaresystems kind of explains it.

 

[RainLover]

Are you happy to post a link to your web site.

Might be helpfull in knowing what you are up to.

For web sites I would use PHP and MySQL.

 

[robess01]

Cannot post a url because lest than 10 posts.

expertsoftwaresystems

the usual www

and then a .com.au

Robert Lopez

 

[RainLover]

I tried to use the email address on your site but it returns as undeliverable.

 

[robess01]

I just tested the address

robert

and then the @ symbol

followed by expertsoftwaresystems

with a .com.au

works OK

 

[RainLover]

Will write later tonight or tomorrow, Australian time.