Business Database

natc

I dont know if ive put this in the right place, apologies first if I havent....

I think ive made a thread somewhere before about this but was a long time ago and the needs have changed!

We just need a simple system. We have been using excel for everything, to record the staffs hours and the places they have worked etc which shows them a monthly breakdown. Then we have to invoice each customer, then we make a wage sheet on excel for each staff member so that we can pay them through the bank.

I just find that doing it all this way is time consuming and sometimes, user error may occur and the information is not accurate. I feel a system that you can make records for each staff member, and then records for the customers would make this easier. Im not sure what Sage would be like for this, but heard its expensive and prob not the best system for us to use. We dont need an accounting system, just a system where you can input the details once, instead of 3 times! Then to be able to print some kind of report showing the staff wage totals for the month/week, and then to generate an invoice......hope this makes sense....

busenbust

Excel is one choice; what about Microsoft Access?

Zazen999

Use an Access database?

natc

We have been using excel, but is very tedious and and we have to make about 3 or 4 spreadsheets, if one mistake made or deleted by accident, can mess everything up....Never used Access, but opened it, looks ajust like excel? That right?

natc

Can reports be generated from the info you put in and invoices generated?

busenbust

natc wrote: »

We have been using excel, but is very tedious and and we have to make about 3 or 4 spreadsheets, if one mistake made or deleted by accident, can mess everything up....Never used Access, but opened it, looks ajust like excel? That right?

:huh: Excel is a spreadsheet with database capabilities; Access is a fully-fledged database giving you control of textual and numerical data. You really need to decide what your information is more suited to, application wise I mean And yes, Forms and Reports can be generated as a means to an Invoice.

HTH.

natc

Mmmm intriguing! Thanks. Never used Access, is it easy enough to plod through?

busenbust

natc wrote: »

Mmmm intriguing! Thanks. Never used Access, is it easy enough to plod through?

Er, I certainly would not call it easy. Implementations in each upgrade version certainly have made it more intuitive to use (vis-a-vis Excel) and there are some very useful in-built Wizards that might aid you. I'm sure if you do a Google search, there should be plenty enough info guides to steer you in the correct direction

natc

Mmmm think ill just buy some kind of software, dont want more stress of having to create a database, wouldnt know where to start! lol

busenbust

natc wrote: »

Mmmm think ill just buy some kind of software, dont want more stress of having to create a database, wouldnt know where to start! lol

Sure, best of luck!

natc

Thanks very much for your help though. I shall have a browse on the net and see whats what, someone has suggested that SAGE is actually the way to go....