Get 'em by the short & curlies

[GizmoT]

I have a database nearing completion that is to be distributed to local operatives in the field. The company want to ensure that:

1 nobody is doing any work that they should not be doing
2 the operative in the field does not decide to up-sticks and start up in business on his own.

The local operatives will keep their own database, and receive regular software updates at monthly intervals. To ensure the operatives stay on board the company want the facility to "trade" updates for the data held locally on the operative's PC.

Problem:

1 What is the simplest way of distributing copies of the database. Ideally a CD is sent to the operative, who just put sit in his PC and the file automatically copies itself on to his PC? Can it be done, and how?
2 Can this method be used to copy data in the other direction - i.e. from the PC to the CD?

 

[raskew]

What's to prevent the operative from just copying the current database and doing their 'unauthorized' work from the copy?

Bob

 

[GizmoT]

When the database is opened for the first time, and every four weeks, it generates a code, for which they must get the anti-code to activate it. They then have to phone for an anticode every four weeks. This (I think) should eliminate the possibility that they can just copy the database, since each copy will generate a different random code. They can use a copy for 28 days, but then they will lose any data contained in it, if they can't get back in. Does that make sense? Can you think of a way that they can get round it?

 

[The_Doc_Man]

Once it is open, if they have read abilities, they can export data to spreadsheets or comma-delimited text files, create their own database WITHOUT THE CODE, and import.

Or, if they are whiz-bang enough, they could just import the data from your db to theirs while their copy of the code is still good.

If you were running on WinXP, you might be able to use the EFS feature - encrypted file system. But even there, you have problems in that allowing them access to Access today means they could copy clear-text files today.

 

[GizmoT]

Very good points, Doc_Man.

Thankfully, the calibre of person is not likely to be that computer literate. But, you are right, it is a possibility that I should consider.