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Databases are used by businesses and other organisations to manage information.
For example, a tennis club could use a database to mange its membership records. Storing your information in a database allows the same pieces of information to used for many purposes. The tennis club might,for example, use it to produce membership lists, send out membership renewal forms and reminder letters, mailing labels, and to produce the draw for a tornament.
Some databases are quite simple, holding a small amount of unchanging information, such as a list of names and addresses, Others are extremely complex, with a matrix of interrelated information and a lot of transaction processing adding new data all the time.
John builds databases using Microsoft Access which is suitable for databases on standalone computers, or networks of up to about 10 users. Access provides enormous power and flexibility, rapid development, and integrates well with other Microsoft products. Another good feature is that Access enables "user-friendly" databases, where the users don't need to know anything about Access
Each database is built completely from scratch to meet the requirements of specific situation.
John's experience is that most clients do not have a clear idea of what they expect the database to do. Access is well suited to a process of gradual development, which may extend over many months or even years. Working in this way, some core requirements are identified and implemented. When the client is satisfied that the database works as required, some additional functions are identified and added.
This works well as long as the basic structure of the database has been correctly built. This requires some commitment from the client to work through an analysis process with John to identify the main elements, the relationships between them and the directions the database might eventually take. Unless this basic structure is designed correctly, further development will involve constant redesign and reworking of previously completed work.
Some clients like to be involved with the technical issues of how the database works, to learn about Access themselves and do some of the work themselves. Because of his teaching background, John is happy to work in this way.
Contact John if you have an information management issue. A database may provide the solution. There is no charge for an initial consultation.
Some sample databases can be downloaded from this site.
Dept of Anatomy - Uni of Melbourne | Body Donors Program |
Dept of Nursing - Uni of Melbourne | Course Inquiries and Applications |
Centre for Community Child Health, Royal Children's Hospital, Melbourne | Projects |
Watson's Mountain Country Trail Rides, Mansfield | Trail Ride Work Records |
Kangan TAFE Student Services | Clients, Case Histories |
Australian Garden History Society | Membership |
Samples are provided for evaluation purposes only. You can open a sample database up to ten times, and you cannot read or change the design of the database.The databases are provided in zip format, so you will need winzip or something similar to unzip the files. The samples are all written in Access 97.
Book Catalogue (382 KB)
Membership (92 KB)