Custom Database Applications

 

Databases

A database is a set of tables used to store data.  Once this data is stored, it can be used to perform calculations, reports, and many other tasks.  Although you may not realize it, you probably have a great deal of experience with databases.  Such common data-collection devices as address books, order forms, and filing cabinets represent basic database principles.  An address book represents a report of addresses and telephone numbers, an order form is an example of a data collection form, and the filing cabinet represents the storage of information.  The database itself acts as a central location to store all your data.

 

Database Applications

A database application is a program which manipulates the data in the database.  With it you can enter new data, edit existing data, query (view the data in a special way), and print or view reports based on the data.  A good example of a database application would be a "point-of-sale" application, where a sales person sitting at a computer enters your sales items, and prints out a receipt with sales tax, shipping, etc. automatically calculated.  The business inventory is stored in a database, and the sale process automatically removes the sold items from inventory, instantly reflecting the updated number in stock.  This can alert you when the need to reorder arises.   It also allows the sales person to instantly check whether an item is in stock.

Many businesses use spreadsheets to do a task that is much more suited to a database application.  I can look at your situation, and recommend whether a database could help you.  A well designed database is probably the most useful and cost saving tool in the business world today.  Most businesses are built around a good database.   I can create a custom database application for your company for a single computer, or a client-server application which can be used on every computer in the office.  I program in Pascal, using Delphi Client/Server Developer and Visual Basic, using Microsoft Access.  I have experience with many other database programming languages, but these have become my tools of choice.  I have 20 years of database programming experience, and can solve any problem your company may have.  Just remember, a database can save your company many hours in labor, and as a result save money.