Contract Database

[BrookieOU]

I've been tasked with building a simple contract database in Access. I haven't built a database in about 8 years (and all of those were simple) and was wondering if anyone knew of a template I could use to get me started as I built my skills back up. The database is literally only needs contractor name (we have multiple entities), contractor d/b/a, contractor address, contractee name/address, termination terms, renewal terms, rate, special clauses, active/inactive and ability to attach contract and other documents. The reason I want to do this in Access is due to the attaching of documents and also because we may build on it in the future. Does anyone know where I could find a template, or should I even do it in Access?

 

[Micron]

I refer people to this site for db schemas (it's not a template source per se)
http://www.databaseanswers.org/data_models/
The chances you'll find a template that exactly fits your needs is remote IMO, and any tweaking it requires to suit your needs may be greater than starting from scratch. Not to say that you couldn't benefit from any of its design. Based on your post, I see a need for at least 3 tables - tblContractor, tblContractee, tblContracts. Don't know what you're foreseeing, but I would not store documents in the db in favor of linking to them instead. You don't indicate a need for tables for invoices, purchase orders, db users, job numbers, contractor hours, etc.

 

[BrookieOU]

Thank you very much! I will look around. Right now I don't think I need anything else you mentioned, but that is what I'm envisioning this will grow into those things. You're definitely correct about linking, thanks for pointing that out. I will look around the link you mentioned, start from scratch and be back if I can't figure something out!

 

[Micron]

Reply if you'd like some design info links. On my phone at present. Not suitable for doing that.

 

[BrookieOU]

That would be greatly appreciated when you get the chance.

 

[Micron]

General: Commonly used naming conventions
General: Use Autonumbers properly
The Access Web - The Evils of Lookup Fields in Tables

Normalization Parts I, II, III, IV, and V
Roger's Access Blog: What Is Normalization, Part I

Entity-Relationship Diagramming: Part I, II, III and IV
Roger's Access Blog: Entity-Relationship Diagramming: Part I

How do I Create an Application in Microsoft Access?
Roger's Access Blog: How do I Create an Application in Microsoft Access?