importing metal prices

[connerlowen]

Hi,

I am creating a database for a company that makes parts. They sometimes use precious metals, and they issue quotes based on certain market prices at the end of the day before. I would like to have a combo box to select from the individual markets they may use. From that combo box I would like the database to automatically import the needed data from the markets website, or some kind of data supplying company. This way if there are any precious metals or base metals needed to make the part, the prices are already in the system and the employee would just input the weight and the database uses those numbers to calculate the total price of the metal needed for the part. I am trying to find a website or service that would provide me with this data in a way that the database can use and automatically update. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks.

 

[Solo712]

Hi,

I am creating a database for a company that makes parts. They sometimes use precious metals, and they issue quotes based on certain market prices at the end of the day before. I would like to have a combo box to select from the individual markets they may use. From that combo box I would like the database to automatically import the needed data from the markets website, or some kind of data supplying company. This way if there are any precious metals or base metals needed to make the part, the prices are already in the system and the employee would just input the weight and the database uses those numbers to calculate the total price of the metal needed for the part. I am trying to find a website or service that would provide me with this data in a way that the database can use and automatically update. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks.

I am not sure that commodity futures is the data feed you want. Normally, raw materials are obtained by manufacturers from suppliers and it is their price lists that matter. The futures quotes are naturally part of the supplier's price but there are other factors that affect the fluctuations of prices in the supply chain. I would look into this more closely.

Best,
Jiri

 

[connerlowen]

The way the quotes are done now are done through a certain market. Each supplier uses a market based on where they are from, but we have to enter the market value into the excel spreadsheet that is generating the quotes at this time.

 

[Solo712]

The way the quotes are done now are done through a certain market. Each supplier uses a market based on where they are from, but we have to enter the market value into the excel spreadsheet that is generating the quotes at this time.

Hmmm.., in that case you will need a data feed (if you don't want to enter the previous trading day data manually) and that is generally an expensive proposition. Definitely want to avoid Bloomberg . One provider I know of through a friend developer is xignite. Might want to take a look:

http://www.xignite.com/market-data/market-data-cloud-for-developers/

Good luck !

Best,
Jiri

 

[connerlowen]

I will look into that. Thank you so much. Also, once I do find a place to get this service from, how will I incorporate it into the database?

 

[Solo712]

I will look into that. Thank you so much. Also, once I do find a place to get this service from, how will I incorporate it into the database?

You will have to rely on the documentation the vendor provides. I understand one of their supported dev environment is .NET.

Best,
Jiri

 

[connerlowen]

So that Website will only do precious metals, not base metals. Do you have any other recommendations?

 

[DavidRBoyle]

The information that you need will most likely be made available as a "web service", basically you provide a url containing your request and get the number back from the provider.

Doing a search for "base metal prices web service" throws up companies offering the service.

From your other posts it is clear you are a fairly entry level programmer so jumping straight into obtaining data from a web service may prove challenging for you.

This site is really mainly focussed on programming issues but I am sure others have addressed similar challenges. Also I'm not sure Access is the way to go for all of your solution. .Net offers better support for this type of work.

 

[JLCantara]

Hello David!

Strangely enough, Access can do the job 'easily' with the WebBrowser control. Couple years ago I used it to read the pages giving final results of NHL hockey games: it worked fine!!!

Note that I am NOT a beginner!!!

Good day, JLCantara.