[Shop-talk] Repair Order Database

Fri Jun 23 13:29:59 MDT 2017

Eric - thanks!

 I will give it some thought, and see what I think the User Requirements should be. 

 [Later thought inserted here --- After giving this a bit of thought, it is beginning to look complicated, so if this more than you thought, please just say so.  This will still be valuable as a conversation starter for the group...]

 As a start, I'm sure I will want the database to capture:
 - Dates of work [started, completed]
 - Issue / complaint / As-found condition [something about how the repair event started]
 - Requested By [could default to someone, rule based]
 - Work performed / As-left condition
 - Parts list [quantity, description, part #, price, source]
  -- A lookup table for commonly used sources would be a time saver, once the static data was input
 - Who performed the work [likely would default to someone, based on some rule]
 - Subject of the work [which vehicle, house, computer, router, tool, etc]
  -- Vehicles might call for a simple identifier on the main table, with the details of each vehicle in a separate table
  -- haven't thought through how to handle variable transaction data, like current vehicle mileage. could be on main, or pop-up, or?
  -- Computers might benefit from the same kind of treatment, since they vary by make, model, memory, storage, etc.
 - Subcontracted or sublet items [eg, machine shop, electrician, computer shop, etc] with what, who, how much
 - Comments field [no particular purpose, but ...]

 Al Fuller
al at bighealey.org

'65 A-H BJ-8
'85 Rx-7 GSL-SE

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 From: eric at megageek.com
Sent: Friday, June 23, 2017 9:13 AM
To: al at bighealey.org
Cc: Shop-talk at autox.team.net
Subject: Re: [Shop-talk] Repair Order Database   
What would you want the app to do?  How would you image using it?  I can try to start working on something if you want. 

Sent from my Commodore 64 on a 2400 Baud Modem.
Tech Viper
"Be as beneficent as the sun or the sea, but if your rights as a rational being are trenched on, die on the first inch of your territory." Ralph Waldo Emerson  

From:         "Al Fuller" <al at bighealey.org> 
To:         <Shop-talk at autox.team.net>, <eric at megageek.com> 
Date:         06/23/2017 09:02 AM 
Subject:         Re: [Shop-talk] Repair Order Database   
----------------------------------------

Hey Eric: 

I have no access to or knowledge to Domino, so that wouldn't be my first choice.  

However, the idea of the system having a web app does sound like an idea that would make it more usable.  I could see access to the info from the shop or garage using a smartphone or tablet, and not having to have a full-fledged computer at hand. 

Al Fuller
al at bighealey.org

'65 A-H BJ-8
'85 Rx-7 GSL-SE 

----------------------------------------

From: eric at megageek.com
Sent: Friday, June 23, 2017 4:49 AM
To: Shop-talk at autox.team.net
Cc: "Al Fuller" <al at bighealey.org>
Subject: Re: [Shop-talk] Repair Order Database   

I'm a Lotus Domino guy all the way.  I run my own web/mail server in the environment.  I have made web apps and phone apps for my needs.   If you have access to an environment, it's the way to go.   

I also use Access for smaller stuff at work.  For what you are taking about, it would most likely be the way to go if you doing everything yourself and you already have Office.  If you need any help building it, let me know. 

If you just want a web app in Domino (and you don't care how pretty it is (I don't do pretty)) I can build something on my domino server for you guys.  It would be 100% free for you. 

Let me know. 

Sent from my Commodore 64 on a 2400 Baud Modem.
Tech Viper
"Be as beneficent as the sun or the sea, but if your rights as a rational being are trenched on, die on the first inch of your territory." Ralph Waldo Emerson  

From:         "Al Fuller" <al at bighealey.org> 
To:         <Shop-talk at autox.team.net> 
Date:         06/22/2017 23:11 
Subject:         [Shop-talk] Repair Order Database 
Sent by:         "Shop-talk" <shop-talk-bounces at autox.team.net>     
----------------------------------------

Do any of you guys know of a good repair order database for home or small shop use?

Two of us were debating whether we set up port-forwarding or web server on the security camera system for one of the guys' shop, but it could easily apply to keeping track of what has been done on our own cars.  I think we have ten (10) cars between us that we are keeping on the road, so it's easy to get confused.

Anybody have a tool they use to keep track?  I'm assuming the "best" candidate would be something that runs under Maria, mysql or MS Access, but I'm open to other suggestions. 

Al Fuller
al at bighealey dot org
'65 BJ-8
'85 Rx-7 
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