Using Microsoft Access to Scan Documents

You can now add a feature to your Microsoft Access database that scans a document and saves it for easy retrieval later.  By simply adding a button to one of your screens and adding some complex code behind the scenes, you can take anoher step towards a paperless office.  

How it works:

1. You click the "Scan" button on one of your Access screens (forms).

2. A screen opens allowing you to choose where to save the document (usually on a central place on your server)

3. Then your scanner screen will open (example below) allowing you to select your scanner options.

4. Then you click the button to start the scan

5. The document is scanned and saved on your server as a PDF file.

6. A link to that docuemnt is automaticlly stored in your Access database for easy retrieval of the document later.

Benefits

Your staff will no longer need to scan a document, manually save it to your server and then manually set a link to it in your database.  Your documents will be stored on your server and linked in your database automatically saving lots of time. 

Microsoft Access Database for Adaptive Mobility Systems

We received a review from Jordan Boston of Adaptive Mobility systems. In 2015 we built a custom MS Access database for him and he has upgraded it several times since.  It is a Manufacturing and Operations database designed to track vehicle inventory, customers, work orders, invoicing, sales, parts and warranties.  

Before they contacted us they were using spreadsheets and word documents to try to keep track of everything. Now they have a custom Access database to handle everything. 

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Their vans are based on a Chrysler minivan then they convert them for different needs. They've built over 6,000 of these vans so far.

17 Years Growing His Business with an Access Database!

We recently got a call from Greg Norrell, a customer who we built an Access database for over 17 years ago!  Greg is the founder of MoreHands Maid Service based in Austin Texas.  We had a nice chat about how we had worked together to build his Access database. Greg was just starting out - and so were we.  He wanted a Microsoft Access programmer to build a database to run his new home cleaning business on.  As we designed his database together, Greg was always coming up with new ideas so sometimes it was hard to keep up with him. Over the years he has expanded and now has branches all over Texas. If you hire the right Microsoft Access programmer then your database will be built around your business workflow and become a solid foundation to grow your business on for many many years.       

New Dashboard Designs

Introducing Better Dashboard Design

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Better use of space

With the wide screens most of us use in today's offices it's better to utilize the space on the sides of the screen for tools as much as possible. We have come up with a very flexible design which can be used for all sorts of dashboards. 

Easier to navigate

Placing the navigation on the side is better for most users to more easily get around the database. 

Many Color Combinations

A huge range of color themes can be created by mixing the color themes which come built-in with Microsoft Access with variations of the header color, sidebar color and button colors.  

Here are some examples:

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Better Tools to Map Workflow

Workflow Clarity 

The goal of a good Microsoft Access Programmer is to build an Access Database application to fit the needs of the business as best as possible.  Trying to build an Access Database without knowledge of the workflow of your client's business is just asking for trouble.  

If the business workflow is understood then screens (forms) and reports can be designed to fulfill specific steps in the workflow.  Without that understanding the workflow a programmer simply has to guess.  Sometimes he or she gets lucky but most of the time the customer receives a database that seems "unfinished" or that does not "do what I need it to".  If an Access Programmer wants a happy customer then he or she will need to build a database to fit the processes and business rules of the customer.  Having a clear grasp of your client's workflow is the key to designing a great MS Access database.

Similar but Different

Every one of our clients runs their businesses differently.  We have built several databases for legal firms and they all have different workflow.  Same is true with architects, contractors, manufacturers and many others which you'd think would have similar workflow but they do not.  All business software should be designed around the processes, procedures and rules of the specific business that will be using it. 

Lost Productivity with Canned Software

Canned or packaged software you can buy "as-is" normally cannot fulfill the needs of the business that's using it because it is not designed around that business's unique workflow.  The company ends up changing it's operations to try to fit the flow of the new software. That is totally backwards!  Productivity is lost and so is the competitive edge of the business.