H
Help Desk
I use FP 2003 to create a form for a simple work order
request. The fields are simple: component name (text), e-
mail address (text), and a memo field to describe the
work requested. This form writes to an Access database.
The table in the database generates a random ID number
for the record. I use this ID number to track the work I
do to complete the request.
I do not want to create a database application to
distribute. Using the web to collect the work requests
is a priority at this point.
One problem with this system is that the tracking ID # is
not available to write to the confirmation page, or at
least I do not know how to make it available. Ideally, I
would like the employee to be able to have the ID # when
he submits the work request so he can use it to query the
database to see what work has been done.
Another limitation (at least as far as I have it set up)
is that once the work request is completed, the only way
I know to notify the employee is to send the tracking ID
# to him manually and have him submit it into a query so
he can read the notes about the job. I would like to
have this automated so I do not need to manually e-mail
each employee after a job is done.
A third issue, which I do not think is solvable by using
a web form, is that there is not security check of the
data submitted in the component and e-mail fields. If I
submitted the information manually in Access via a form,
if I entered an e-mail address or a component name that
is not in certain tables, the record would not be
written. Via the web, anything can be entered into those
fields (and sometimes is). There aren't that many
entries that I can't manually correct them, but it would
be nice to have this available. There are upwards of
1000 component names and 100 e-mail addresses with plenty
of changes on a regualr basis to make including these in
the FP form unrealistic.
Perhaps there is a trouble ticket application already
created that I can use/modify. I know there are some for
some content management systems I have seen. Perhaps
there are some modifications I can make to my system to
boost its effectiveness. If you can offer any help, I
would truly be appreciative.
request. The fields are simple: component name (text), e-
mail address (text), and a memo field to describe the
work requested. This form writes to an Access database.
The table in the database generates a random ID number
for the record. I use this ID number to track the work I
do to complete the request.
I do not want to create a database application to
distribute. Using the web to collect the work requests
is a priority at this point.
One problem with this system is that the tracking ID # is
not available to write to the confirmation page, or at
least I do not know how to make it available. Ideally, I
would like the employee to be able to have the ID # when
he submits the work request so he can use it to query the
database to see what work has been done.
Another limitation (at least as far as I have it set up)
is that once the work request is completed, the only way
I know to notify the employee is to send the tracking ID
# to him manually and have him submit it into a query so
he can read the notes about the job. I would like to
have this automated so I do not need to manually e-mail
each employee after a job is done.
A third issue, which I do not think is solvable by using
a web form, is that there is not security check of the
data submitted in the component and e-mail fields. If I
submitted the information manually in Access via a form,
if I entered an e-mail address or a component name that
is not in certain tables, the record would not be
written. Via the web, anything can be entered into those
fields (and sometimes is). There aren't that many
entries that I can't manually correct them, but it would
be nice to have this available. There are upwards of
1000 component names and 100 e-mail addresses with plenty
of changes on a regualr basis to make including these in
the FP form unrealistic.
Perhaps there is a trouble ticket application already
created that I can use/modify. I know there are some for
some content management systems I have seen. Perhaps
there are some modifications I can make to my system to
boost its effectiveness. If you can offer any help, I
would truly be appreciative.
