Databases

We offer a complete database application development service, including requirements analysis, design, implementation, migration of existing databases, installation on your computer systems and training.

We normally use a system called 4th Dimension (4D) to develop the user interface for the database. 4D is very flexible, widely used, well supported and has an active and enthusiastic community of developers. It produces database applications which run on both Windows and Mac OS X.

For speed and portability we tend to use MySQL to store the database itself. This is a mature, highly regarded and free alternative to expensive database systems such as Microsoft SQL Server and Oracle.

Depending on your requirements your database application can include features such as password protection, multi-user access, live search, guards against accidental editing and an undelete facility.

In conjunction with a website development package we can also integrate your database and website to provide online catalogues, booking forms, order tracking systems and more, all controlled and maintained from your database application.

Recent Projects

Spirit of Adventure/JSI International contacts, holidays and bookings database

Background: Spirit of Adventure organises outdoor activities and holidays in the UK and worldwide. JSI International is Spirit of Adventure’s sister company and provides personal, management and team development training to corporate customers.

Project: Develop a database application and associated back-end database providing the following features:

• Contacts management for customers, instructors, employees and agents, with live search facility, integration with Microsoft Outlook for sending emails and printing of envelopes and labels.
• Holidays and courses management integrated with the Spirit of Adventure website’s online catalogue.
• Bookings management integrated with the Spirit of Adventure website’s secure online booking form.
• Management of pages on both companies’ websites.
• Bulk printing of envelopes and labels for distribution of brochures and other marketing materials.
• Sending of targeted emails to selected groups of customers, integrated with Microsoft Outlook.
• Multi-user access.

Sample screens from the database application are opposite – click the images to enlarge.