Where do I begin when trying to create a database? I What is my very 1st step?

Question

I want to create a database to track my clients. I work for and life insurance company, as an assistant. I collected client info, order meds, track progress, track agents product. I would like the database to be able to assist me with this. I just don't know where to start. Should I use a web based database, or something like access. How do I know what features fit me best? I am paying for this out of pocket so cost is an issue. I have computer skills, it just seems like this area is quite forgie to me.

Answer 1

create a database (use MS Access)
create user name and password for the database
create a table
write VB code which allows you to enter data using a gui
you populate the data in database

Answer 2

the first thing you had to do when creating database is create the ER Diagram (Entity Relationship Diagram), this is the hardest step. And then maps those Diagram into form of table. f you need efficiency in storage, you should normalize the table.

To create ER-Diagram you need to know what entity you want to be recorded in the database. In your case, the entity should be Client, Order Meds, Track Progress, Track Agents Products, etc. and then list the attributes for each entity. After you have all your entity you need, you should connect them with some kind of relations, for detail you can search at wikipedia or another source... When this ER-Diagram completes, you can maps the diagram into table. You must implement this table on some sort of DBMS, like MS Access or Mysql or Oracle.. After that you should learn some SQL, query language.

I recommend you to read a book about database... because database is complex..

Answer 3

I think it really depends on several factors, such as scalability, usability and your knowledge of different programming languages or softwares. You are basically describing a CRM (Customer Relationship Management) tool. As far as usability, I find that web based CRMs are much easier to use and access. You are able to maintain the database from anywhere in the world (even underwater these days). One of the other bonuses to web based CRMs is that there are TONS of them out there already programmed. For instance, Sugar, XRMS, PHPCollab, all of which are open source. At that point it is just a matter of finding one that gives you the options you need - most of them have demos where you can go in and play with the application a little bit before you install. With Access, you are limiting yourself to one file, maybe it's on your computer, maybe it's on a server somewhere (which of course must be Windows), etc. If cost is an issue, then you also have to figure that time is an issue as well (time = money). Therefore, in my opinion, it makes more sense to look into an open source (or even if you have to spend $100 to get it just right) web based CRM. The only downside is scalability, in the sense that in Access, it is fairly easy to add new columns or tables and join them and sort of re-route everything, whereas with a web based CRM, you are having to depend on either your own expertise, someone else's, or completely re-rendering the application.

Questions:
Do you have direct/remote access to a server? If so, what platform (Linux/Windows)? On a scale of 1-10, what is your knowledge of programming? And if any, what programming languages are you familiar with? Are you more comfortable using desktop applications (i.e. Excel, Access) or web based (i.e. blogging tools, file sharing)?

Answer 4

If you already have MS Access thenyou can create database and a few tables and learning basic sql skills would do the job.

Else I suggest you get a free version of mysql and install it then create and use databases. It's absolutely free and just get the list of commands of MySql on the website. It's quite simple to insert data and maintain them.

Answer 5

Use paper to draw tables and their relationshhip.
Then use some tool to create ur db.it wil be best.

Answer 6

You might try here. The programs sound like they would be useful.
http://www.primasoft.com/products/orgdlx.htm
or here
http://www.brothersoft.com/Information_Management_Database_Programs_dB_Organizer_Deluxe_496.html
or here
http://www.triusinc.com/asawin.htm

I prefer the last, which is a spreadsheet with data management functions.
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