on-line / off-line database tables
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Forum Name: Database Discussion
Forum Description: Discussion and chat on database related topics.
URL: https://forums.webwiz.net/forum_posts.asp?TID=13267
Printed Date: 29 March 2026 at 3:12am
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Topic: on-line / off-line database tables
Posted By: snapey
Subject: on-line / off-line database tables
Date Posted: 08 January 2005 at 6:34pm
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Does anyone have any experience of importing an on-line database into an off-line one? I need to develop an event booking database. The off-line version will be taking all client bookings as well as the general administration of the event such as who has paid etc. The off-line database will be used when people send in paper booking forms or via the telephone. I was going to build an on-line form that writes into tables on an Access 2000 DB using ASP. The administrator will then need to download the database every few days and merge it in with the main database. Can this be done? Also, any tips for handling the situation where someone revisits the site and needs to amend their booking. |
Replies:
Posted By: dpyers
Date Posted: 08 January 2005 at 6:52pm
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I think you're headed for trouble there. You'd need to write a custom script to sync the two access db's and they'd still be highly likely to get out of sync anyway.
Why not just write an admin interface to the online db so the folk in the office can update it on behalf of the call-ins and paper bookings?
Put the admin interface in a separate directory so you can password protect it. If you put it in a separate sub-domain, you could also wrap it with ssl.
If you need to use built in access reporting capabilities, have them download the online db for fresh reporting. Use the online db as the single-source master. ------------- 
Lead me not into temptation... I know the short cut, follow me. |
Posted By: zaboss
Date Posted: 08 January 2005 at 7:05pm
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I was having the same problem, even worst as it wasn't only one
operator, but about 40, spreaded in about 20 different cities. Should
they all have internet access smoothly, it wouldn't be a problem,
but they have only limited access. So, what I did was to use the online
db as the main database (as suggested by dypers), and the each operator
database as individual database. I have created a form in access
that creates a text file after each raport is filled. When they got
connected, just upload those text files and with a script I read them
and insert them in the main db. With a proper deadline setting, I know
at any time the exact situation of the main db.
------------- Cristian Banu http://www.soft4web.ro - Soft 4 web |
Posted By: snapey
Date Posted: 08 January 2005 at 7:33pm
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Thanks guys,
This was the way I was thinking except that it means that I have more screens to create and the security of the database becomes more critical.
The compromise I have been thinking about is that
a) I provide a CSV on demand which they download and merge into the database. The on-line table is then emptied.
b) they then upload an extract of the database
c) when someone wants to query their booking I first look in the 'new entries' and if its not there, look in the confirmed bookings. Any changes get posted as completely new entries back to the 'new bookings table with a flag to say its an update.
Still happy to hear any further ideas.
Mark
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