[jjweiler]

My wife is running most of her business using Microsoft Access and I have just now convinced her to make the switch. I put together the layout and structure of the program to suit her business.

My question is... Do you think it is wise to run Virtual PC and keep the existing program or rewrite in the new format. I don't mind putting in the work to do that but I would also need some help finding the mac program that would best match the capabilities of MS Access.

Would Filemaker or something similar be the closest in Mac?

Thanks for your opinions

J

 

[Macaholic]

Hi

I won't pretend to know what I'm talking about here, but i know Filemaker Pro can handle Access data, although there might be a distinction or two that might still make Access the better choice.

There is also 4th Dimension
http://www.versiontracker.com/dyn/moreinfo/macosx/64

http://www.versiontracker.com/dyn/moreinfo/macosx/10007

Here are some more links of possible interest;
http://www.versiontracker.com/dyn/moreinfo/macosx/19087

http://www.versiontracker.com/dyn/moreinfo/macosx/16076

And Filemaker Pro:
http://www.versiontracker.com/dyn/moreinfo/macosx/1603

A Filemaker Pro add-on -- of which there are MANY more:
http://www.versiontracker.com/dyn/moreinfo/macosx/18656


If you can avoid Virtual PC, altogether, you'd be better off.

 

[jmac]

jj

Does your wife know what you're up to? Are you making decisions about the future of her business on the whims of the replies you get in a stinking internet forum???

 

[minnes]

jjweiler
First of all, a basic edition of filemaker will do what you want
2nd, what kind of tasks does she need to do, as there are other database programs for the Mac,

 

[kps]

4D is difficult to program and has a steep learning curve. I switched from FileMaker to 4D, but gave up for lack of time and patience to be proficient with it. It is, however, more powerful than Access and Filemaker.

So, if it's Access you're migrating from...get FileMaker. It'll do all that Access can do and more. Download a trial version of FM 6 and you'll see.

 

[jjweiler]

The business is pretty basic when it comes to database. She's a massage therapist so basically entering clients to which each has a collection of treatments. There are different treatment types, each having their own fees. The only other thing I have set up with Access is the reporting and sorting for each client.

Making the switch shouldn't cause too much headache as year end is Dec31 and I'll be starting her up again on the new program.

 

[Macaholic]

Hell, if that's all it is, you could probably do fine with Applework's database module:

http://www.apple.com/appleworks/

I've used it to whip up little databases, like this one for my music composition library:

Check marks, radio buttons, popups. Sorting, filtering. Appleworks also has spreadsheet capability, but I don't know if such calculations can be used in the database or integrated from spreadsheets. i think they can, but you should check.

Plus, Appleworks can read & write in both Word and Excel formats. While Appleworks is very inexpensive, it is also bundled with all the i/eMacs and the iBook.

OR... set her up on Quickbooks. That way, she can keep track of treatments (as inventory) and price it all out, easily. Sales tax, invoicing, blah blah blah. It's all there and pretty easy to use!

Food for thought.