Opinions needed

I am somewhat new to database technologies, I only have a basic
understanding of relational databases.
I need to figure out the best way to set up a database (Tables and fields).
Crystal reports will be used for reporting.
I am in the distribution business and I need to create route lists for
people who will go out and deliver catalogs to our clients customers. Our
client will send me their database of customers via tab or comma delimited
file. What I then need to do is import this file into SQL and then output
some nice looking reports for our carriers delivery routes.
The routes will be based on streets in a logical geographical area which I
hope I will be able to organize by postal code. (Since postal codes are
already organized for optimal delivery time and coverage)
I should add that I'm not even sure I need to use SQL with Crystal, why
wouldn't I use Access and just use the reporting features in Access?
Any help will be appreciated.
Shawn JohnsonIf it's a multi-user application you should use SQL Server.
If it's just a single user import and print application, Access probably
will do.
--
Nico De Greef
Belgium
Freelance Software Architect
MCP, MCSD, .NET certified
"Shawn Johnson" <sejohnson77@.yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:%23mxZQkI$DHA.2040@.TK2MSFTNGP12.phx.gbl...
> I am somewhat new to database technologies, I only have a basic
> understanding of relational databases.
> I need to figure out the best way to set up a database (Tables and
fields).
> Crystal reports will be used for reporting.
> I am in the distribution business and I need to create route lists for
> people who will go out and deliver catalogs to our clients customers. Our
> client will send me their database of customers via tab or comma delimited
> file. What I then need to do is import this file into SQL and then output
> some nice looking reports for our carriers delivery routes.
> The routes will be based on streets in a logical geographical area which I
> hope I will be able to organize by postal code. (Since postal codes are
> already organized for optimal delivery time and coverage)
> I should add that I'm not even sure I need to use SQL with Crystal, why
> wouldn't I use Access and just use the reporting features in Access?
> Any help will be appreciated.
> Shawn Johnson
>|||How many users? How much data? How's your budget? How's your experience
with SQL Server and/or Access?
Either can do what you've told us, but you've not told us enough. :-)
--
Kevin Hill
President
3NF Consulting
www.3nf-inc.com/NewsGroups.htm
"Shawn Johnson" <sejohnson77@.yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:%23mxZQkI$DHA.2040@.TK2MSFTNGP12.phx.gbl...
> I am somewhat new to database technologies, I only have a basic
> understanding of relational databases.
> I need to figure out the best way to set up a database (Tables and
fields).
> Crystal reports will be used for reporting.
> I am in the distribution business and I need to create route lists for
> people who will go out and deliver catalogs to our clients customers. Our
> client will send me their database of customers via tab or comma delimited
> file. What I then need to do is import this file into SQL and then output
> some nice looking reports for our carriers delivery routes.
> The routes will be based on streets in a logical geographical area which I
> hope I will be able to organize by postal code. (Since postal codes are
> already organized for optimal delivery time and coverage)
> I should add that I'm not even sure I need to use SQL with Crystal, why
> wouldn't I use Access and just use the reporting features in Access?
> Any help will be appreciated.
> Shawn Johnson
>|||I will interject a little bit of my prferences and expertise on
this...Crystal is a much more robust of a reprting tool than Access. If you
are just developing reports so that users can print them out etc...you can
import everything into Access, and use access as the reporting tool and
create a few nifty little buttons and forms to make it all user friendly
etc...However, one great point that was mentioned was if you are going to
have many people connect to this database and do thier own importing and
reporting and manipulation and you plan on developing an application to
interface with this...Then SQL is the way to go, using crystal reports to
interface with the data. Well crystal won't change the data, but it will
dress up the reports real perty like! :)
Good luck!
Luis
"Kevin3NF" <KHill@.NopeIDontNeedNoSPAM3NF-inc.com> wrote in message
news:unxbQIJ$DHA.2664@.TK2MSFTNGP09.phx.gbl...
> How many users? How much data? How's your budget? How's your experience
> with SQL Server and/or Access?
> Either can do what you've told us, but you've not told us enough. :-)
> --
> Kevin Hill
> President
> 3NF Consulting
> www.3nf-inc.com/NewsGroups.htm
> "Shawn Johnson" <sejohnson77@.yahoo.com> wrote in message
> news:%23mxZQkI$DHA.2040@.TK2MSFTNGP12.phx.gbl...
> > I am somewhat new to database technologies, I only have a basic
> > understanding of relational databases.
> >
> > I need to figure out the best way to set up a database (Tables and
> fields).
> > Crystal reports will be used for reporting.
> >
> > I am in the distribution business and I need to create route lists for
> > people who will go out and deliver catalogs to our clients customers.
Our
> > client will send me their database of customers via tab or comma
delimited
> > file. What I then need to do is import this file into SQL and then
output
> > some nice looking reports for our carriers delivery routes.
> >
> > The routes will be based on streets in a logical geographical area which
I
> > hope I will be able to organize by postal code. (Since postal codes are
> > already organized for optimal delivery time and coverage)
> >
> > I should add that I'm not even sure I need to use SQL with Crystal, why
> > wouldn't I use Access and just use the reporting features in Access?
> >
> > Any help will be appreciated.
> >
> > Shawn Johnson
> >
> >
>|||I will be the only user to output the reports to send to my carriers
As far as how much data is concerned, it depends on the region we are
delivering to, sometimes 20000 all the way up to 250000
Budget is whatever it takes (Software or training) to get the job done
properly.
My experiance with SQL and Access is just as an admin. (Adding and removing
fields for a CRM application and other small admin tasks, nothing to
complex) but I guess I would consider myself a fairly quick study. I do
have some time on my side since we are getting our existing route lists from
another "routing" company. We are merely positioning ourselves to takeover
in several months.
Let me know if you have any other Qs
Shawn J
"Kevin3NF" <KHill@.NopeIDontNeedNoSPAM3NF-inc.com> wrote in message
news:unxbQIJ$DHA.2664@.TK2MSFTNGP09.phx.gbl...
> How many users? How much data? How's your budget? How's your experience
> with SQL Server and/or Access?
> Either can do what you've told us, but you've not told us enough. :-)
> --
> Kevin Hill
> President
> 3NF Consulting
> www.3nf-inc.com/NewsGroups.htm
> "Shawn Johnson" <sejohnson77@.yahoo.com> wrote in message
> news:%23mxZQkI$DHA.2040@.TK2MSFTNGP12.phx.gbl...
> > I am somewhat new to database technologies, I only have a basic
> > understanding of relational databases.
> >
> > I need to figure out the best way to set up a database (Tables and
> fields).
> > Crystal reports will be used for reporting.
> >
> > I am in the distribution business and I need to create route lists for
> > people who will go out and deliver catalogs to our clients customers.
Our
> > client will send me their database of customers via tab or comma
delimited
> > file. What I then need to do is import this file into SQL and then
output
> > some nice looking reports for our carriers delivery routes.
> >
> > The routes will be based on streets in a logical geographical area which
I
> > hope I will be able to organize by postal code. (Since postal codes are
> > already organized for optimal delivery time and coverage)
> >
> > I should add that I'm not even sure I need to use SQL with Crystal, why
> > wouldn't I use Access and just use the reporting features in Access?
> >
> > Any help will be appreciated.
> >
> > Shawn Johnson
> >
> >
>|||Do you think Access can handle up to 350000 different customer records?
"Nico De Greef" <ndg@.denco.be> wrote in message
news:OsRinnI$DHA.3232@.TK2MSFTNGP10.phx.gbl...
> If it's a multi-user application you should use SQL Server.
> If it's just a single user import and print application, Access probably
> will do.
> --
> Nico De Greef
> Belgium
> Freelance Software Architect
> MCP, MCSD, .NET certified
> "Shawn Johnson" <sejohnson77@.yahoo.com> wrote in message
> news:%23mxZQkI$DHA.2040@.TK2MSFTNGP12.phx.gbl...
> > I am somewhat new to database technologies, I only have a basic
> > understanding of relational databases.
> >
> > I need to figure out the best way to set up a database (Tables and
> fields).
> > Crystal reports will be used for reporting.
> >
> > I am in the distribution business and I need to create route lists for
> > people who will go out and deliver catalogs to our clients customers.
Our
> > client will send me their database of customers via tab or comma
delimited
> > file. What I then need to do is import this file into SQL and then
output
> > some nice looking reports for our carriers delivery routes.
> >
> > The routes will be based on streets in a logical geographical area which
I
> > hope I will be able to organize by postal code. (Since postal codes are
> > already organized for optimal delivery time and coverage)
> >
> > I should add that I'm not even sure I need to use SQL with Crystal, why
> > wouldn't I use Access and just use the reporting features in Access?
> >
> > Any help will be appreciated.
> >
> > Shawn Johnson
> >
> >
>|||I don't think Access is optimized for handling that amount of records.
You are the only user using the tool, it could be a little overkill to buy a
server and a SQL Server license just for your import and print task.
You could also use SQL Desktop Edition, it is also limited on the multi user
side but is closer to SQL Server than Access. You won't need a separate
server for this one.
If you should ever need to upgrade to SQL Server it is easier to start from
SQL Server desktop then from Access.
I never use Access, but only because I have the hardware available to run
SQL Server.
Based on your info I would start with SQL Desktop Edition and a reporting
tool of your choice.
Can Access handle the reporting part of the job ? One answer: test it.
--
Nico De Greef
Belgium
Freelance Software Architect
MCP, MCSD, .NET certified
"Shawn Johnson" <sejohnson77@.yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:OKpluIK$DHA.712@.tk2msftngp13.phx.gbl...
> Do you think Access can handle up to 350000 different customer records?
> "Nico De Greef" <ndg@.denco.be> wrote in message
> news:OsRinnI$DHA.3232@.TK2MSFTNGP10.phx.gbl...
> > If it's a multi-user application you should use SQL Server.
> > If it's just a single user import and print application, Access probably
> > will do.
> >
> > --
> > Nico De Greef
> > Belgium
> > Freelance Software Architect
> > MCP, MCSD, .NET certified
> >
> > "Shawn Johnson" <sejohnson77@.yahoo.com> wrote in message
> > news:%23mxZQkI$DHA.2040@.TK2MSFTNGP12.phx.gbl...
> > > I am somewhat new to database technologies, I only have a basic
> > > understanding of relational databases.
> > >
> > > I need to figure out the best way to set up a database (Tables and
> > fields).
> > > Crystal reports will be used for reporting.
> > >
> > > I am in the distribution business and I need to create route lists for
> > > people who will go out and deliver catalogs to our clients customers.
> Our
> > > client will send me their database of customers via tab or comma
> delimited
> > > file. What I then need to do is import this file into SQL and then
> output
> > > some nice looking reports for our carriers delivery routes.
> > >
> > > The routes will be based on streets in a logical geographical area
which
> I
> > > hope I will be able to organize by postal code. (Since postal codes
are
> > > already organized for optimal delivery time and coverage)
> > >
> > > I should add that I'm not even sure I need to use SQL with Crystal,
why
> > > wouldn't I use Access and just use the reporting features in Access?
> > >
> > > Any help will be appreciated.
> > >
> > > Shawn Johnson
> > >
> > >
> >
> >
>|||This is just my guess that you will be doing more
development in future, most Access applications end up
being migrated to sql server anyway. So I would recommend
to use sql server from the start.
>--Original Message--
>I will be the only user to output the reports to send to
my carriers
>As far as how much data is concerned, it depends on the
region we are
>delivering to, sometimes 20000 all the way up to 250000
>Budget is whatever it takes (Software or training) to get
the job done
>properly.
>My experiance with SQL and Access is just as an admin.
(Adding and removing
>fields for a CRM application and other small admin tasks,
nothing to
>complex) but I guess I would consider myself a fairly
quick study. I do
>have some time on my side since we are getting our
existing route lists from
>another "routing" company. We are merely positioning
ourselves to takeover
>in several months.
>Let me know if you have any other Qs
>Shawn J
>
>
>"Kevin3NF" <KHill@.NopeIDontNeedNoSPAM3NF-inc.com> wrote
in message
>news:unxbQIJ$DHA.2664@.TK2MSFTNGP09.phx.gbl...
>> How many users? How much data? How's your budget?
How's your experience
>> with SQL Server and/or Access?
>> Either can do what you've told us, but you've not told
us enough. :-)
>> --
>> Kevin Hill
>> President
>> 3NF Consulting
>> www.3nf-inc.com/NewsGroups.htm
>> "Shawn Johnson" <sejohnson77@.yahoo.com> wrote in message
>> news:%23mxZQkI$DHA.2040@.TK2MSFTNGP12.phx.gbl...
>> > I am somewhat new to database technologies, I only
have a basic
>> > understanding of relational databases.
>> >
>> > I need to figure out the best way to set up a
database (Tables and
>> fields).
>> > Crystal reports will be used for reporting.
>> >
>> > I am in the distribution business and I need to
create route lists for
>> > people who will go out and deliver catalogs to our
clients customers.
>Our
>> > client will send me their database of customers via
tab or comma
>delimited
>> > file. What I then need to do is import this file
into SQL and then
>output
>> > some nice looking reports for our carriers delivery
routes.
>> >
>> > The routes will be based on streets in a logical
geographical area which
>I
>> > hope I will be able to organize by postal code.
(Since postal codes are
>> > already organized for optimal delivery time and
coverage)
>> >
>> > I should add that I'm not even sure I need to use SQL
with Crystal, why
>> > wouldn't I use Access and just use the reporting
features in Access?
>> >
>> > Any help will be appreciated.
>> >
>> > Shawn Johnson
>> >
>> >
>>
>
>.
>