Create a messaging service using Access/VBA?

[wrek]

Where to start? Ok, I'm looking for feedback/recommendations/ideas on how to go about the following task:

I have to create a messaging-service (think MSN messenger) for use within my department.


Sounds like a tall task, but I have some ideas as well as some constraints. My forte is Access/VBA and i can imagine a way that I could create a split-database to somewhat accomplish this.

(I'm also cognizant that Access is not the best platform for a project like this, but this is an informal, unbudgeted one).

Specs:

Would potentially have to handle a lot of users. Starting off with maybe 100, depending on its success, it could grow to the 1000's.

Not all users have internet access, only the intranet (win NT).


Anyone know if anything like this has been done? or has any suggestions?

Thanks in advance.

 

[dcx693]

Why reinvent the wheel? All users would need to run Access (which may or may not work for you budget-wise.) Aren't there corporate IM solutions available like Enterprise AIM Services.

 

[dcx693]

While you're re-doing that wheel of yours, you might be interested in this article that describes creating an e-mail application using Access and Outlook. IM is just a type of electronic messaging, so perhaps you can adapt some ideas from the article. Since this might be limited to your intranet, if you're all on Outlook and Exchange Server, you can all communicate without needing the Internet: An Access E-mail Application

 

[robthedog]

Assisstance system

A while ago I was playing around with similar system for a learning centre with the same budget constraints, Have a look at the attached zipped files.

AssessorsDatabase.mdb
StudentsInterface.mdb
StudentAssistance_be.mdb

You may have to re-establish the links between files.

The idea is, that the tutor has the AssessorsDatabase, and each student can have a copy of the StudentsInterface on their machine. The back-end sits somewhere on the network that can be accessed by both students and tutors.

Students can send an assistance request, which displays on the tutors machine which refreshes every 15 seconds.

It’s a bit crude and needs a bit of polish, but it does work, and may give you a few ideas.

Cheers

Rob

 

[wrek]

thanks for the responses...

dcx: we are aware of this all-powerful wheel thingy you speak of...but we can't afford the mandatory chrome rims...

as rob touched upon, yes there are some severe budget constraints...

rob: thanks for the sample, i'll give it a shot

pono: i will look up the socket approach too

 

[dcx693]

Probably too late for this, but here are some IM applications that are free and not Internet-based: Instant Messaging (LAN). Although you wouldn't be using Access for this, it should fit in your budget.