We Start With the Basics . . .

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Main Switchboard The "Switchboard" or Main Menu is the primary navigation tool of your custom application. From this form you can go to any main area or utility within the database. Other switchboards are easily accessed by selecting a different one from the drop-down list, located in the upper part of the form.

List View: the Data Sheet The Data Sheet differs from the Details (or Data Entry form) in that it shows you several records at a glance, while the Details Form displays one record at a time. Although the Data Entry form is usually used when entering or editing data, the Data Sheet will enable you to look at the larger data patterns in your database and work "globally". (If you have ever used Excel for working with your data, you will find the data grid, along with its grouping and quick search capability is easier to work with while providing the data protection and security that Excel can't.)

Detailed View: the Data Entry Form This screen is typically the most customized form in your database as it must conform specifically to your data's particular structure. Mostly used for entering, editing and deleting records - as well as displaying search results - this form is where the database "rubber" meets the road. Your Data Entry form may look much like the form you see here, or you may prefer it to more closely resemble a paper form with which you and your staff are already familiar. (This will often reduce the learning curve for you and your personnel.)

Query Manager There will always be a need for new queries in your database. They need to be easy to create, modify, save and remove at will. You may also need them to be available for use by other users. Queries are the way you converse with your data; the way you ask your data for answers and the way that those answers are returned to you. We connect you directly with the MS Access Query by Example utility. Not only is it one of the finest and easiest query tools available, but you will be learning to use the industry standard tools and methods when working in any version of Access.

Report Manager All businesses need information on which to base their decisions, but data is to information what bricks, lumber and roofing are to a house; in short, disorganized potential. Reports organize your data into usable business information. As you add new reports it's important to make sure that they are accessible and easy to display on screen, print, export or send as email. Our Report Manager will arrange your custom reports into groups and topics, enabling you to send them out in whatever format you wish.

Quick Reports Creating custom reports takes time and costs money. All database applications require some highly customized reports to provide accurate pictures of your data and provide you with a firm foundation of information. Sometimes, however, the information you need is relatively simple. In many case counts and subtotals by columns such as State, City, Zip, etc. can provide the information you need. The problem has always been that once you see one clear view of your data; you want to see more. Usually you would contact the developer, and have them write you a new report for each view. With Quick Reports, you can "juggle" your data any which way quickly and easily in house.

Speed Counts Need to know how many VIP's you have in Springfield, Illinois, right now? If you have ever been at a loss when the main office wanted to know how many registered claven-users are in the company database, or the sales manager wants to know how many customers Alphonse Geschmatt has in WA, and is waiting on the phone for an answer . . . You will love this utility. With a few clicks, Speed Counts will display group totals base on the fields you select – up to three levels deep – pronto!.

Colors? Have it your way! Sometimes, the right colors make us feel good when looking at a computer screen for several hours a day; other times, color is used to present content and context more clearly. You can have it your way with the Color Manager that we build into every database. After all, just because you're using one of the most advanced data management tools available doesn't mean that it can't also be attractive.

User Accounts Management System The User Accounts Manager enables you to set permissions for users so that they can only see and do what you want them to. Default settings include a DBA/Developer mode where access to everything, including the User Accounts Manager, is available; an Authorized User level where the user can add edit or delete records, and everything but user permissions and DBA utilities are accessible; and a Guests account where users can only view data and output reports.

Report Configuration The heart of the Report Manager is the Report Configuration form. It's here that you will setup your reports with descriptions, place them into custom groups that you can simply create, edit and delete in a few moments. You have complete control over which reports are displayed to the user as well as to what group(s) they will be assigned and what they will be called.

Combo Box Manager Sooner or later, you may want to delegate data entry tasks to others in your organization. Although this can really speed up your data processing, different entry people tend to enter things differently; and then, of course, there are typos to consider as well. The old and well proved adage GIGO (Garbage In/Garbage Out) is as true today as it was when it was first coined. The Combo/List Box Manager enables you to pre-define, edit and update all the authorized values for data to be entered, so every entry is consistent, accurate and clean - Good Stuff In/Good Stuff Out!

File Manager There are often situations when you need to look outside of your database to find folders and files on your system's drives. The File Manager is Northwest Database's answer to Windows Explorer, but much better! Not only can you do just about everything which you can do in Explorer (plus a few things more); but you can do them right from within your database. Need some special custom folder/file search, sort, copy, move, or delete operations? We can customize this form to meet your specific needs. Will Microsoft do that? Ha!

Then We'll Build Out From There...

Even though all of the components that you see on these Screen Shot pages are fully developed and integrated into the Northwest Database Services template, any of them can be easily customized to meet your needs. We Make Databases Easy!