Microsoft Access 1E: Movie Database

Plan Your Database Before You Start:

It might be tempting to just jump right into creating any database on your computer and solve problems as they come up. For smaller projects this is okay--like a personal CD or DVD collection. However, a database for a business that rents out videos and DVD's is far more complex.

Users will have different needs, and it is important to find out what they want prior to creating the system. For example:

• Staff will enter in customer identification numbers and DVD codes (probably using a hand held laser scanner). These are commonly used with Microsoft Access and other databases.

• Management will want access to certain areas of the database that they don't want staff to have access to.

Knowledge of users:

• Databases can be created that can only be used by those experienced with the software, like how to open forms, enter information and delete information from tables etc.

• Databases can also be created that can be used by someone who has never seen or used Microsoft Access before (inexperienced users).
  • Users with little or no experience in Access will require a database more sophisticated than one that can be used with experienced users.
  • Why is that?...The less someone knows about the software the more likely it is that they will do something to mess it up, therefore the more dummy-proof and easy to use you have to make it...this requires more work.

Movie Rental Business Database (dvd's)

• Because staff will have no formal training in databases a very dummyproof system must be designed that is easy to use and prevents users from making mistakes.
• Employees will not have any access to tables, only forms.
• A form will need to be created which will allow the employees to do the following:
  • enter client info. for new clients,
  • enter client number and dvd stock code to record a transaction,
  • lookup a client number for overdue charges,
  • enter payment for current and overdue charges,
  • lookup if a dvd is in stock,,
  • lookup all customer information,
  • mark movies as returned when they are returned to the return bin,
  • enter new movies that arrive into the system, and
  • enter lost movies that are paid or not from customers that lose them.

• In addition to this, managers will want to do the following:
  • print a report of all the sales for the day, week, month etc., and
  • print a report of all the movies in stock to be used to compare to an actual check of videos on the store shelves (inventory report).

This website is copyright protected see contact page for details.