I'm tired of compromising quality and compatibility

[Benjamin Bolduc]

I'm trying to set up a brand new ordering system that orders products automatically by email. It sounds like a really great idea, (sure to win me some brownie points with my boss), but I can't seem to find an adequate medium for sending orders and follow-ups.

I know how to send stuff by email and everything, but if one of my suppliers doesn't have SnapShot Viewer then how would they see it? The Rich Text format seems like the second best, and that's a word file which everyone can use, but my reports always look funny and are missing pictures and lines when I convert them to Word.

My computer can Fax, but I haven't the slightest idea how to do that from access.

Isn't there any way of sending access reports to dozens of people without compromising quality and compatibility?

Thanks for listening to me vent,
Ben

 

[charityg]

Whenever I send an email with a snapshot attachment, I include a link to the download site for the viewer, and an explanation that "if you are unable to view the attached file, please download and install SnapShot Viewer from Microsoft by following this link: http://www.microsoft.com/accessdev/articles/snapshot.htm"

 

[The_Doc_Man]

In order to be able to do this right you need to know, without question or pause, the software configuration of all target computers among your customer base. Can you do that?


I thought not. The .RTF file is an example of "lowest common denominator." If you could automatically generate .HTM or other markup language that allows for embedded features, you would again face a lowest common denominator situation. Do they have NetScape? Which version? What about IE? What about Mozilla? What about Opera? What about....

Then there is the remote possibility that you could generate it all in .PDF format. But what if you are using Acrobat Writer 5.0 and all they have is Adobe Reader 3.0?

So, in terms of your desire to not compromise quality in the face of quantity, I must state that you are expressing an unrealistic view of the world. I don't like it either. But that's the way it is. If you want to vent, though, go right ahead. By the way, blame Bill Gates for some of the compatibility issues that you face.

(I blame Bill for nearly everything. He's SO convenient!)

 

[Rich]

This article may help
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=KB;EN-US;q145787&

 

[chrismcbride]

I could send you some example of Documents made from Word Templates using SQL information and VBA processing. This solution does suffer from incompatabilty issues as Doc Man quite rightly mentions, but you can get highly formatted documents.
Chris

 

[Benjamin Bolduc]

I'd definately like to see some samples of that. Thank you Chris.

I think what I'll wind up doing is just sending a link of the Snapshot program with my Snapshot file. It's just a pain in the arse. All I can see are 50 little old ladies sitting behind a computer, trying to figure out how download the program.

Bill Gates! This is all your fault!




BTW, thanks for the replys everyone- I can always turn to this forum to vent my Access frustrations