Setting up a database

[Kenshiin]

I'm starting a new line of work in sales and I'd like to build a contact database that has room to expand into other future needs.

I really hope I'm not the one who has to build the company database but I'm starting to gather potential customers and I'd rather start myself on the right foot and potentially save myself a lot of time in the future.

I'm starting with a simple contacts list but I want to be able to expand on it as the business progresses. I'd like to add notes, view their order history, or create new invoices. It would also be nice if I could link it with a calendar and possibly a web page in the future.

I've only ever used Excel to compile data before but it looks like I want to be using Access instead. Is there another software program that would better suit my needs?

[octopus]

How big is the database going to be? Do you want to go the free route? Do you want the database to be embedded to your application?

Check out http://www.sqlite.org/

If you want your database to be separate and you want to host it on a server, there's always mysql or postgres.

[Xaijin]

Access is a popular choice only because it is included in the MS office suite, but the programs with the best compatibility with it are other MS products.

I have found problems using access database with other popular free tools, such as myphp. You are better off using mysql. I recommend using mysqlworkbench to do your database.

[Tajin]

There's FileMaker too though you have to pay for that one.

[Slott]

My company uses ACT! for all that crap, you may want to look into it.

[DAKPluto]

Access, SQL, or an access clone like from openoffice all will work pretty well. SQL in the long run will probably give you the most compatibility for expansion as you grow.

[Cephius]

SQL is probably your best bet. The free version limits your database size to 2GB so it should be more than enough if you're just storing contact information for now. You can always upgrade later, and SQL is a widely used standard if your company expands in the future and starts using applications that link up with the database.

[Skotty]

Since your only experienced in Excel I would recommend Access as it's an all-in-one program and the layout and controls will be familiar. When you are ready to add the web page I would recommend learning a language such as php and then migrate your database to a server based platform like mysql.

Good luck with whatever setup you go with and if you have any problems there are a multitude of sites out there that can help you.