Automatic Updates

[HollyPatterson]

I am creating a database and am unsure of how to do a few things.

I need to automate two tasks without human intervention or opening of the database.

The first task is to remove all completed records from the original table into another archive table. This should take place once a week.

The next task is more complicated. Each record has a review date. I need an automatic reminder to be e-mailed using Outlook Express and printed 30 days before the review date. I realise I could do this using an event handler such as OnOpen() but I really need this to happen whether or not the database is opened and without anyone having to perform the task.

Does anyone have any ideas.

 

[DMC]

Is it the coding thats the problem, or just the scheduling of the tasks (for example when your not there). To do the tasks you require the database most be opened and run at some point. Whether or not you physically open the database is a different matter. Try having a look at some software by FMS called 'Total Visual Agent' at http://www.fmsinc.com. This is scheduling software which will run macros or modules stored in your database at certain times and dates for you automatically (without you leaving the database open). Great for use at night when every bodies logged off and gone home. I think there is a free evaluation download available on their site. I don't work for them honest! but I've found it very useful. I'm sure there is other software available, it's just one that I've found.

 

[HollyPatterson]

It is the scheduling of the tasks that is the problem. So I take it from your answer that I would really need to get this software or another to do this without user intervention?

I was hoping that Access might have something in it that would facilitate automation like this.

No matter, I guess I'll try the software you suggested.

Thank You

 

[Pat Hartman]

The only way Access could do this scheduling for you is if you create a new Access database that only runs these functions using a timer event AND you leave that Access database open ALL the time. That's how scheduling programs work. They load when the computer boots and stay resident. They run a timer event and check their list of jobs to automate constantly.

 

[Atomic Shrimp]

why not use Windows' task scheduler?

you could set it up to open a separate 'archiving' database containing (for example) an autorun macro, or a form with a module, which does all the archiving and then closes itself.

you just need to link all of the relevant tables into the 'archiving' database and have it perform whatever operations you like.

We have a couple of apps set up on this basis running on a machine that is never turned off, scheduled to run during the night. Towards the end of the code, I have a SendObject which emails me to let me know the task completed OK. It works quite well.