I need help...

[Tim]

I am hoping that someone could suggest a good program for me to use.
I want to create software for work to track jobs, inventory, costs, sales, deliveries, etc.
I want it to work with MySql via the net with either asp or php. I need to be able to create forms, reports and user interfaces. Security is a must.

Now to give you some back ground. I have done this before using Access, I'm actually very good at creating front ends for MySql databases but only locally. I want to be able to find a good program similar to Access that will aid me in designing and implementing a web based database.

I've searched high and low on the web and haven't found anything good...

 

[IntruderLS1]

Damn, I was all excited about recommending Access.

Is this the same kind of work repeated, or are your jobs unique? MSProject is more powerful than most people give it credit for, but using as a DB is a bit of a stretch.

Have you ever used FoxPro? I haven't used any of their new stuff, but several years ago I liked their product better than Bills.

... Web based DB... If I come up with something better, I'll swing by again.

 

[IntruderLS1]

You know, now that I think about it, if you're looking for a web based DB, you could use several of the pre-fabed software pieces that are out there.

vBulletin could even be used as a low level DB in a pinch.

How much information do you need to track? How detailed to you need your graphing capability to be? Excel can graph anything known to man, and it can import just about as much.

I would say go to SAP, but I don't know if you're looking to spend that kind of green.

 

[Tim]

There is nothing on the market out of the box that would fit my needs.

This is what I want to be able to do...

1. Have customer lists (easy to do)
2. Create quotes
3. track the quotes or turn them to orders if need be
4. Take my orders, break them into multiple shop tickets that I can track progress
5. Attach costs to the shop tickets
6. Have all invoices and cost display on each order
7. Delivery tickets generated for shop tickets
8. Generate multiple reports
9. Invoice
10. Quarterly reports
etc.

The program needs to be very specific to the type of work we do.
We are a mill work company that builds the casework (cabinets, reception desks, wood wall panels, nurses stations, etc) for most of the hospitals, schools, universities, etc in the greater Philadelphia area. So every job has different elements. There is no off the shelf items that we build, everything is custom designed and built by us on site.
Now they do have POS systems out there for retail lumber and misc. But I've worked with quite a few of them and they need to be forced to do what you want... I would rather design my own.

Like I said, I have already done this in Access with a MySql backend. But now I want to see if there is any software like Access that will help me design a new front end that will be available on the web, not just a local front end specific to individual computers on a intranet.

Did that clear things up for you?

 

[BadBoy@TheWheel]

I have used FoxPro a lot, as well as Microsoft Project (Access) They bot work well, Fox is a little less cumbersome. Either way they are both very flexible ad adaptive to the needs of the user.

My .02

 

[Tim]

But does it create web based front ends?

 

[BadBoy@TheWheel]

But does it create web based front ends?

I think you can especially with the MIcrosoft, for certain. You always have the option for web page/html with the Microsoft programs.

And FoxPro you most certainly can.

 

[IntruderLS1]

**Snaps fingers**

What about Maximo?

Don't know the cost for a small organization, but it is EXACTLY what you're looking for I think.

 

[Pudding Time]

This could be created quite easily. What kind of budget are you working with on this?