My small law firm lives in the stone age, but has asked me to set up a database to handle clients. This is for a single project likely to last about a year. It will involve getting outside voluntary workers in – the whole thing has to be done on a shoestring.
The database must:
1) Hold records of around 2000 clients. Each record will have traditional contact details. We also have various scanned materials (probably as PDFs) that we need to “attach” to each client. Some will have none at all, some could have several.
2) I need to code up a pretty simple interface to allow staff to perform functions – add/modify records, attach new documents etc. Ideally this interface will allow users to view the attached documents – ie call up Acrobat. The whole point is to try and get away from paper files.
3) Support around 25 users. Typically around 10 or so will be logged in at any time, but only 3 to 5 will be accessing concurrently.
4) Be secure. Much of the information is personal sensitive data.
Ideally:
1) Access would be via a web-browser. This is just something one of the partners has said. I can argue the point if necessary – but I think his idea is that he “doesn’t want to have to load stuff onto PCs” and it will be easier for people to learn.
2) Be remotely accessible – albeit perhaps with reduced functionality. This could save costs as some volunteers can work from home and use their own equipment.
3) Have access restrictions. Ie normal users would not get access to the database except via the interface/forms I have created for them.
4) Log record updates by author and time/date.
However:
1) Although the system has to support sorting/exporting/filtering records, I will probably handle these functions directly so a user-friendly front end isn’t required for this.
2) I don’t think there will be much “heavy” processing. Most data will be collected, entered and will just sit there. It will be viewed frequently, but not modified/sorted often.
They’ve come to me because I am the most IT savvy guy they have. By way of background many years ago I could program in C and was proficient in Paradox for DOS. I can hang a few scripts off Excel.
Given my rusty skills, I’m looking at learning curves whichever way I go. I’m keen to “have a go” at all this, but it’s not going to be a career change – I’m a lawyer these days and left IT behind more than 10 years ago.
My thought was to go for something like Filemaker 10 – it seems it comes with some typical applications set up and could be ready-to-run from the box. I could then tailor it as we go along.
Or should I go with SQL Express?
Also… for a web-type interface, should I use something like PHP?
Thanks for the advice. Apologies if I haven’t specified the problem clearly enough.