Taking a standalone database further

[Mary Mint]

Hi, I have a fair amount of basic experience of Access (building, updating, reporting)... but... I now need to extend this to interact with remote devices.

I am trying to assist my partner with their chauffeur business, currently I have a standalone database which I use/update etc. I am able to log jobs, send out a diary page of jobs by email, and draw up invoices, log transactions etc.

I know there are software products online (T-Dispatch for example) which does mostly what I ask, but it is ideally set up for taxi's, not chauffeurs who work in a different way, and not knowing how to alter or manipulate the settings etc means I need to look at bespoke-build.

In a perfect world, I would like to be able to have it hosted so:

*partner got access to data (but I haven't a clue with servers etc),

*remote access so drivers can be alerted to jobs and can accept them, (again, no idea how this is accomplished) and

*to have some kind of Email2DB facility so drivers can log extra waiting time/parking etc and this data returns back to the database without manual intervention (as is status quo) again, no idea how.

I would appreciate some guidance on starting this journey, I'm currently starting to build a clean database now I know how the clients/jobs work (not 'one size fits all' rules) so could also have a few questions about streamlining my tables etc.

Edit: I have very limited knowledge of SQL but will pick it up quickly (self taught Access). I have some knowledge of webpage building.
I would like drivers to have access via iOS phone App eventually with VERY easy boxes to fill (we all have our own strengths!!)
Hubby&business partner require remote access to certain forms/reports remotely. User profiles will be needed for admin to allow hubby & business partner access to add/amend records, review reports etc, with myself as administrator with full permissions.

 

[plog]

You're post was annoyingly disjointed. You wrote a ton about non-database items: interacting with remote devices, bespoke-build (no idea), Email2DB facility, iOs phone App, being an administrator with full permissions, etc. However, the only time you referenced questions was when you made a statement about having some about streamlining tables--but you never asked anything specific.

I have no idea what you need from us, worse, I don't think you know what to ask. I really think this project, as you've described it, is over your head. This is an Access forum, we will only be able to help with a small part of this project--setting up tables, writing queries--which we will be glad to assist you in. However, for everything else, you might want to considering hiring a company.

 

[Mr. B]

Mary,

Although the project you have described will present you with several challenges, it can be done. In fact, having an Access Application that provides users with the ability to add and/or edit live data from their desktop, a laptop, a tablet and even from their smart phone is becoming easier than ever to achieve.

Looking at the “wish list” that you listed, I do not see anything that could not be accomplished. In a nut shell, if you use a hosted SQL Server database for you tables and create your user interface in MS Access linking to the tables in the hosted SQL server you can accomplish at least 75% of what you want. The only piece that you cannot do with an MS Access application is to allow your users to update the data from a smart phone. You will need a web site that also accesses the data from the SQL Server database for this part.
Your MS Access application can be run on a desktop and laptops using the runtime version of MS Access and not even have to have a copy of Access. If your users can purchase a Surface Pro tablet, they would also be able to run your MS Access application.

The only additional requirement to make all of this work would be a connection to the internet. Each device that you are planning to use to access the data would need some type of internet connection. The desktops could access the internet though a local network while laptops might need an "air card". The tablet can either be added to a cell phone account or can even be tethered to your cell phone.

Hopefully this will at least point you in a direction that will get you started. When you have additional questions, just post back here and someone will be more than glad to try to help.