HELP: Creating a Database for manufacturing.

[Ryan_Harper]

Hi,
Im looking at creating an MS Access database for manufacturing items. Ill need to be able to create default items to be made and also use this to assign members of a team a list of items to make for a current day of the week which i can then input back into the database to keep it up to date with what they have made, have they kept to targets etc....

i have a basic idea of what i want it to do but im struggling with whether access can do this or whether i will have to manually programme the defaults selections for items and dates.

Any information will be appreciated and if you have any templates and can work off as a basis, i will be very happy

Cheers
Ryan

 

[NigelShaw]

Hi,

Access can do this. I have made ( and still in the process of ) an in depth system. Here is what mine covers-

customers
Suppliers
Purchase Orders
Projects
Quotes
Revisions
Job Cards
workshop Resources
Scheduling
Cost Analysis
Invoicing

Extras i have added recently,

Gannt chart display
Team communications
To do lists ( assignable )
permissions

I think its only limited by your imagination




Cheers

Nidge

 

[Ryan_Harper]

Hi Nidge,
I want mine to basically cover the same things with a few variations:

- I need to create Default products which anybody in management can pick from maybe a drop down menu and then create a Job sheet for team members to follow.
- Schedules for all members relating to the products they must make that day and then input these back into a database to record what has been made so we can analyse there progress throughout the working week and access at any time.

Do you know the best way to start something like this as im totally drowning in my ideas haha The problem is my imagination and concepts for this database are that in depth that im struggling to put fingers to keyboard and begin.

 

[Lightwave]

I haven't come across a process that MS Access couldn't be used for.

I know some sites where you can get templates but I had a look at them and none of the templates seem particularly relevant. Suggests you might be best placed starting from scratch. (its often the best place to start anyway)

 

[Ryan_Harper]

@Lightwave - Is there a tutorial based website that can talk you through how to do certain tasks with access? (such as creating a product field with a drop down menu which you can select for a list of items? etc)

I know what i want to do with it, its actually finding out how to do some of the things as i havnt really touched access in depth for a number of years.

 

[NigelShaw]

Hi Nidge,
I want mine to basically cover the same things with a few variations:

- I need to create Default products which anybody in management can pick from maybe a drop down menu and then create a Job sheet for team members to follow.
- Schedules for all members relating to the products they must make that day and then input these back into a database to record what has been made so we can analyse there progress throughout the working week and access at any time.

Do you know the best way to start something like this as im totally drowning in my ideas haha The problem is my imagination and concepts for this database are that in depth that im struggling to put fingers to keyboard and begin.

Hi,

Start with a pen & paper. try drawing out the critical paths nad processes you think you want. Then your tables. What you want can be done quite easily. Another thing i have in my appicaltion is to make groups from multiple parts. An Installation for example has the following as standard-

Person Qty
Hourly Rate
Day or Night ( x1 in the day, x1.5 in the night )
Mileage
Vehicle
Hours
Expenses

in my groups, i can click 'Install' and pre-load all of the products / items

Once you get your head into it, it becomes easier mate


Cheers


nidge

 

[Lightwave]

@Lightwave - Is there a tutorial based website that can talk you through how to do certain tasks with access? (such as creating a product field with a drop down menu which you can select for a list of items? etc)

I know what i want to do with it, its actually finding out how to do some of the things as i havnt really touched access in depth for a number of years.

If you have very specific questions like how do I do x in Access y then I would recommend you tube. Do a search looking for your particular flavour of access - menu navigation varies between the different version of access.

One of the benefits of using MS Access is that there are loads of users out there and many have posted their own tutorials on specifics.

Here's an example for 2003 combi box
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5crMB2nPM1Q

and here's one for 2010 - (no sound but it seems quite good)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IK0ZHcW_72Q

 

[Ryan_Harper]

Hi,
Right ive took to the paper now and started drawing up my primary tables which i can grab all my information from.

Ill be using the database to store information on products which have been made. Here's what im looking at at the moment:

- Keep a table of the products we make
- A list of team members
- Create Daily Job sheets for team members.These will vary depending on what they specialise in with blank fields for them to input how long it took etc (using the products table)
- Collect data such as: For each member, what they made and quantities, in a new table.
- Then store that information in a printer friendly manner. For management to analyse.

Where do i start

Cheers
Ryan

 

[spikepl]

- Then store that information in a printer friendly manner. For management to analyse.

Take care with NOT doing exactly this. How you store data in a db is not related to how you display it. Many people are influenced by Excel, and start creating database tables to mirror their spreadsheets, and thus throw the baby out with the bathwater.

You start with the tables -what does each table contain. And then relations - what record in which table is related to which record or records in another table - one-to-many relation or many-to-many.

Google database normalization. Then downlaod some simple samle form AWF or a template from microsoft and have a look. The tables are the most important thing. And you will likely have to redesign them once you know what you are doing.

Have a crack at it. After reading about normalization, and looking at templates/samples make your tables and then post here a snapshot of your tables in the Relations window in Access.

 

[Ryan_Harper]

Take care with NOT doing exactly this. How you store data in a db is not related to how you display it. Many people are influenced by Excel, and start creating database tables to mirror their spreadsheets, and thus throw the baby out with the bathwater.

You start with the tables -what does each table contain. And then relations - what record in which table is related to which record or records in another table - one-to-many relation or many-to-many.

Google database normalization. Then downlaod some simple samle form AWF or a template from microsoft and have a look. The tables are the most important thing. And you will likely have to redesign them once you know what you are doing.

Have a crack at it. After reading about normalization, and looking at templates/samples make your tables and then post here a snapshot of your tables in the Relations window in Access.

Mind=BLOWN. I used to use access all the time. 4 Years pass and im struggling to jump back on the saddle. Maybe a closer look at the background of access may jog my memory. Cheers Guys