How and where to get started? Database for bid management

[Guest]

I have some experience with MS Access but not developer stage. I have made a
few databases in an earlier version for simple applications but I really want
to make a database for managing bids at work. I convinced the boss to by MS
Office 2003 (we were working with Works and Word THAT'S IT!) Now that I have
Access I am excited about this opportunity but I need some coaching.

We are a supplier and we sub bid a portion of construction jobs. The
contractors bid the entire job. The scope is to have a database that allows
us to add track and manage the bidding we are doing. It is a one user
senario, we decide to bid a job and we receive invitations to this bid from
multiple contractors.

My first thoughts are to set up some tables with basic relationships.
1) Bids
-Job Name
-Bid Date
-Address Info
-Job Info
a. Items on Bid
b. Calls on Bid
c. Customers bidding on job (that we send our sub bid to)

Anyone willing to offer suggestions would be much appreciated!

 

[Guest]

Chris,

The best advice I can give you is, before creating a single table in Access,
is to understand Database Normalization thoroughly. A well-normalized
database is easy to use, easy to maintain. In my experience on the forum, I
would estimate that 50% of questions stem in some way from a poor
understanding normalization.

The following web sources have helpful information:

Getting Started:

http://www.mvps.org/access/tencommandments.htm

Glossary of database terms:
http://www.dhdursoassociates.com/database-glossary-3.html

Where to find information about designing a database in Microsoft Access:
http://support.microsoft.com/?id=289533

ACC: Database Normalization Basics
http://support.microsoft.com/?id=100139
http://support.microsoft.com/?id=209534
http://support.microsoft.com/?id=283878

Database Normalization Tips by Luke Chung
http://www.fmsinc.com/tpapers/genaccess/databasenorm.html

Support WebCast: Database Normalization Basics
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=/servicedesks/webcasts/wc060600/wcblurb060600.asp

Database Normalization:
http://burks.bton.ac.uk/burks/foldoc/35/28.htm

5 Rules of Database Normalization:
http://www.datamodel.org/NormalizationRules.html

"Understanding Relational Database Design" Document Available in Download
Center:
http://support.microsoft.com/?id=283698
http://support.microsoft.com/?id=164172

ACC2000: "Understanding Relational Database Design"
http://support.microsoft.com/?id=234208

Fundamentals of Relational Database Design:
http://support.microsoft.com/?id=129519

Database Deisgn Principles:
http://msdn.microsoft.com/library/en-us/dndbdes/html/ch04DDP.asp

In designing, I start on paper by thinking about THINGS and ATTRIBUTES of
those things. The Things suggest Tables and the Attributes suggest Fields.
It's an iterative process, particularly when you're just learning.

Avoid duplicating fields between one table and another other than the
primary key from another table, called a foreign key in the 2nd table. The
foreign key gives you "Access" to all other fields in the 1st table by
joining them in a query.

I also strongly recommend you pick up Access 2002 Desktop Developer's
Handbook by Litwin, Getz and Gunderloy, or whatever the latest revision is
called. It is well-written and packed with useful code--written and on an
accompanying CD.

Good luck.

Sprinks

 

[Guest]

This is very helpful! Thanks! This was way beyond what I expected!

I could never find these sites on a web search engine, I tried.