We use a purpose built database to track referrals made to and from one of the Canadian banks. Most of the time, it works perfectly, but once a month I have to compile a table of all accumulated data, from which reports can be VERY quickly pulled and sent all over the country. This process involves queries on queries on queries, so is very time consuming. At present, I've got the compilation process running as fast as I can, following tips from this forum and other places, but it still takes up to six hours to complete (down from ten).
My manager has given me the go-ahead to source a laptop soley for storing this database and particularly for running this monthly task. Obviously, there will be other benefits, but that will be the actual intended use.
As someone who knows nothing aout such things, of you Access experts out there were to given the following remit, what would your suggestion(s) be:
The laptop
1. Should start up as quickly as possible.
2. Should be capable to executing Access queries as fast as possible.
3. Should open the other Microsoft Office products and allow them to run as fast as possible.
4. Will not need to provide internet access, allow video or music playback, permit game playing. In fact will not use anything that doesn't involve the Microsoft Office suite of products.
5. Will not need to connect to a network of any kind.
6. Should allow transfer of data to and from it via a USB/Flash drive, for making back-ups, etc.
7. Should have as long a battery life as possible.
8. Should allow backups of the database to be burned to Rewritable CDs.
9. Costs up to a maximum of around $1,000 Canadian.
What sort of processor should I go for? Memory? RAM? Software (other than MS Office)? CD Burner?
I have a vague idea about all of these terms, but I've never tried to 'build' a task-specific device before and I don't want to pay for, or use up memory on, a load of software/applications I don't need.
Any help gratefully received and please remember you're speaking to an idiot .
My manager has given me the go-ahead to source a laptop soley for storing this database and particularly for running this monthly task. Obviously, there will be other benefits, but that will be the actual intended use.
As someone who knows nothing aout such things, of you Access experts out there were to given the following remit, what would your suggestion(s) be:
The laptop
1. Should start up as quickly as possible.
2. Should be capable to executing Access queries as fast as possible.
3. Should open the other Microsoft Office products and allow them to run as fast as possible.
4. Will not need to provide internet access, allow video or music playback, permit game playing. In fact will not use anything that doesn't involve the Microsoft Office suite of products.
5. Will not need to connect to a network of any kind.
6. Should allow transfer of data to and from it via a USB/Flash drive, for making back-ups, etc.
7. Should have as long a battery life as possible.
8. Should allow backups of the database to be burned to Rewritable CDs.
9. Costs up to a maximum of around $1,000 Canadian.
What sort of processor should I go for? Memory? RAM? Software (other than MS Office)? CD Burner?
I have a vague idea about all of these terms, but I've never tried to 'build' a task-specific device before and I don't want to pay for, or use up memory on, a load of software/applications I don't need.
Any help gratefully received and please remember you're speaking to an idiot .