Programmer for hire?

[JRT2006]

Hopefully, a question of this sort is allowed. If not, I'll take my hand slap and the thread can be deleted.

I've searched all the titles and I don't see anything that would hold such a request, but do you allow programmers for hire in this forum?

I've got a database I use for work built from many different sample databases used as examples. It does its job, but there are a lot of errors and its not the most user friendly database.

I am not experienced in building a database and have used this site and many others, as well as tutorials, and books to help me through the building process. I was curious if there was somebody here who works well with this stuff that would take payment for fixing up an already (poorly) built database?

 

[Uncle Gizmo]

I'd be interested, but I wouldn't be able to do it full time at the moment though. What's involved? Could you send me a copy of the database to have a look at? Where abouts in the world are you? Cheers Tony

 

[JRT2006]

Its a database I use to track equipment in the Fire Department. Air packs, Facepieces, etc. Each piece of equipment is either issued to personnel, placed on vehicles, or in storage. Each piece of equipment is required to be tested annually.

I could send you the database, but I cant attach it, filesize is too large.

I live in Texas. I guess I'm just trying to find out if there is somebody willing and about how much would it be.

 

[Uncle Gizmo]

My email address is **************

 

[Uncle Gizmo]

I'd have to have a look before I could say how much it would cost.

 

[JRT2006]

I'd have to have a look before I could say how much it would cost.

Unfortunately, the database is too large to send via email. I've deleted most of the data and unnecessary forms, reports, tables and I cant bring it down to less than 25MB

 

[Uncle Gizmo]

Have you got compact on close set?

 

[JRT2006]

That did the trick.

A lot of information is removed, it actually looks nothing like what it did before.
I had to remove the reports, the log in screen for admins and users (admins had the ability to make changes to data, users have the ability to view reports), the training tracker for all personnel in the department.

Basically, this is the equipment tracking database. For keeping track of item locations, testing, maintenance, etc.

 

[JRT2006]

The original copy:

When you open the database, a Login screen appears. Admins can enter their user name and password and it takes them to the main menu where they can select admin. users can input a basic username and password combo of Fire Fire, which takes them to the same menu, but the admin button is greyed out, forcing them to select visitor.

After selecting Admin or Visitor, a sub menu pops up directing them to either Equipment Tracking or Training Tracking. Admin rights give them access to all the forms allowing them to make necessary changes. Visitor rights only direct them to reports, allowing them to see what is overdue, upcoming, out of service, etc.

The problem with the program is the navigation, to me it appears easy, but it seems like a lot of button presses and redirects. Also, data entry isn't that easy to accomplish either. When a date needs to be changed, when a piece of equipment moves, etc. Theres a lot of searching and inputting to make these changes. Not only that, a few errors pop up when changes are made.

I just feel like this could be a lot more simple and clean, work easier, and have less flaws. I wish I could send the orinigal

 

[Uncle Gizmo]

From the database provided I see what is essentially an equipment management system.. The system supports two activities, the tracking and testing of equipment.

I note you also mention “Training Tracking”, however I don't see the facility for this in the database provided, Please could you provide more information.

Problems with navigation are usually due to the programmer designing things in one way and the persons' using the application are used to doing things another way. This is best resolved by working closely with the users, finding out what they prefer.

It will be necessary to divide your existing tables up into a few more tables, this will resolve the problems with data entry and equipment movements.

I see mentioned the “Testing of Equipment” and I also see in the database there are navigation buttons to “Tasks” are these one in the same?

Under tracking there are two situations which may not may be one in the same you have:- “in storage” AND “out of service” Please could you clarify.

I note the use of a percentage field to indicate whether something is complete. This suggests to me that the testing of the equipment is in several stages, or it may indicate something else happening I do not understand.

I note several attachment Fields. This would indicate there is a need to attach documentation to the equipment (and possibly other places throughout the system) please could you provide further information.

I note a field “Priority” with a default value of:- "(2) Normal" Please could you clarify.

It looks like you have divided the year up into 6 groups. I wondered if you could give me more information on this grouping?

The Table Structures.
From the information I currently have I would suggest the following structure for the tables:-

tblEquipmentType (Added later)
ID
Description

tblEquipment
ID
EquipmentTypeID
SerialNumber
ManufacturedDate
AquiredDate
InvoiceNo
Description

tblLocation
ID
Description

tblTracking
EquipmentID
LocationID
LocationDate

tblTestType
ID
Description

tblTestResult
ID
Description

tblTestHistory
ID
TestTypeID
EquipmentID
TestDate
TestResultID

I await your comments so we can further refine the requirements
cheers Tony

 

[JRT2006]

I emailed you from my work email and attached the full version of the database leaving very minimal data and removing the reports. The training tracker is included in the database and could give you further insight on what I mentioned here. Theres a chance you may get the email but not the attachment (government for you). If so, let me know and I can send it through my gmail account.

I note you also mention “Training Tracking”, however I don't see the facility for this in the database provided, Please could you provide more information.

I had to remove the training portion of the database so I could attach the file. Basically, the Training Tracker portion of the database tracks training for firefighters. It works exactly like the equipment tracker, but instead of test dates for equipment, it tracks test and certification dates for the fire department personnel.

I see mentioned the “Testing of Equipment” and I also see in the database there are navigation buttons to “Tasks” are these one in the same?

Tasks is the term we use for testing equipment. Each piece of equipment is essentially considered a "task"

Under tracking there are two situations which may not may be one in the same you have:- “in storage” AND “out of service” Please could you clarify.

Those are different. Items in storage are considered "overstock" They are in service and can be placed on vehicles or issued to personnel if need be. Items out of service are items that are broken. They are kept in storage but marked out of service because they are serviceable.

I note the use of a percentage field to indicate whether something is complete. This suggests to me that the testing of the equipment is in several stages, or it may indicate something else happening I do not understand.

The percentage field can be omitted. It was part of a template I had used and rather than delete it, I left it there. Items are either tested or not tested, there is no 50%.

I note several attachment Fields. This would indicate there is a need to attach documentation to the equipment (and possibly other places throughout the system) please could you provide further information.

Attachments can also be omitted. At one point we were allowed to upload items to a government computer via a secured drive, we can no longer do that, therefore the attachments are unnecessary.

I note a field “Priority” with a default value of:- "(2) Normal" Please could you clarify.

This can be omitted for the same reasons as the percentage field.

It looks like you have divided the year up into 6 groups. I wondered if you could give me more information on this grouping?

The equipment is divided into groups because we want to test a portion of our equipment every two months. In total, I think we have roughly 220 pieces of equipment, so we break it down into groups (1-6) with roughly 36 pieces of equipment in each group.

The Table Structures.
From the information I currently have I would suggest the following structure for the tables:-

tblEquipmentType (Added later)
ID
Description

tblEquipment
ID
EquipmentTypeID
SerialNumber
ManufacturedDate
AquiredDate
InvoiceNo
Description

tblLocation
ID
Description

tblTracking
EquipmentID
LocationID
LocationDate

tblTestType
ID
Description

tblTestResult
ID
Description

tblTestHistory
ID
TestTypeID
EquipmentID
TestDate
TestResultID

These tables seem correct. On tblEquipment, ManufacturedDate may not be needed. AcquiredDate is useful as we have to overhaul our equipment every 5 years once received. Also, on the same table, what is the purpose of the InvoiceNo. Just to be clear, we aren't testing these items for customers, we are testing our own equipment in the fire department.

 

[Uncle Gizmo]

Duplicate deleted,,,........

 

[Uncle Gizmo]

I have received the email successfully thank you.

I will have a look at the training portion of the database tomorrow.

Re.. the invoice number. I'm thinking you need traceability for the item. It was just a suggestion, you may well have other systems to handle traceability.

 

[JRT2006]

Youre right, traceability would be nice for as much as things are moved on a weekly basis. We do have an issue keeping track of equipment locations