Multi-user enviroment form design

[jserrone via AccessMonster.com]

Hello Everyone! I have a project that is driving me crazy!!

I have a form on a database that retrieves data from a query; this database
is in a multi-user environment. What I am trying to accomplish is to allow
the form to bring up the next available record that has not/or is NOT being
worked on yet. The form I built does a re-query every time the user goes to
the next record and looks for anything that has not been worked on yet. It
does this by looking at the timestamp the user has placed once completed the
record on the form. I also placed my record locking option to Edited Record.
However when the users sign on simultaneously they still get the same item on
their screen. Is there a way to create some sort of locking mechanism that
would allow the form to display to the user the next available record that
has not been or is not being worked on by a user at this time? Theoretically
I am looking at something like this: Once a user opens the form and the
record is displayed on the screen, lock the record and avoid any user from
viewing or editing this record. All other users should be directed to the
next available record, every time the user hits the next button move to the
next available unlocked record and immediately lock it from viewing or
editing from everyone else.

I appreciate any help you can provide me on this!!

 

[mscertified]

Put an 'in-use' column in the table.
When a user goes into the form apply the filter 'where in-use = false'.
When a user views a record with in-use = false, immediately save the record
with in-use = true.
You can work out the details.

-Dorian