equipment Accountability Database Management System

[BlueFeet]

I have been learning Access for a while and have reviewed a few examples, but am still not yet where I need to be.
I am building a Database Management System, mainly for reoccurring issuing of equipment items to workers as they go out to a job site (lasting from days - months at a time).<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-comfficeffice" /><o></o>
When making my tables I have, 1) Workers/Personnel with: last name, first name, pay grade, last 4 of ssn, etc… My next table is the, 2) Location or place of job site where both the worker and tools will be at. My third table is the listing of all equipment items. This is where my question is. <o></o>
Each piece of equipment is tracked by a Serial Number. For example, I have a 100 Pelican case’s; s/n 00001 – 0100 and I want to track where each one is, assigned to, and past history. Then I have 100 Radios; 0001 – 0100. In total I have about 10 equipment items (radio, case, fiber optic test set, computer, etc…) and I have a varied number of each of the items , which have a serial number. Would I make a Table for EACH equipment type? I am unsure when I look at my Relationship Tables and have 12 Tables to tie together.<o></o>
Right now I only care about Accountability of my equipment as its status. Both in non-use/stand-by/unassigned items and assigned to people including location. Once I figure out this hump, ill add in equipment vendor info and also my client job info. My main issue is equipment accountability; it takes me all day to hand write, check-in/check-out everything!!<o></o>
Thank you all so much.<o></o>

 

[Rupert Bennett]

Hello,
Microsoft has a free asset tracking database available for download. It will give you everything you need to build your database.

To answer your specific question, you would not need a table for each equipment type. You could have a table called EquipmentType in which you would have an EquipmentTypeID and Description. Add the EquipmentTypeID to your Equipment table.
You will need some datetime fields in your Equipment table to track movement of the equipment and you would also need to add the EmployeeID to the Equipment table to track who has the piece of equipment at any given time.

However, the asset tracking database mentioned earlier should give you all you need.
Good luck.
Rupert