Hello everyone.
I think this is my first time posting here but I am a huge fan of TR and have found it to be a useful resource on numerous occasions. Let me begin by saying that I am a freelance web developer by trade however often times get dragged in to doing other odd computing jobs. With that said please bear with me as I may sound like a n00b, but this kinda thing is not my usual cup of tea?
I was recently hired by a small real state company to do a host of different computer related jobs. This company seems to still live in the dark ages when it comes to handling their inter office data. There is one room that is just row after row of old time metal filing cabinets full of hard copy paper files! In short their data is still stuck in the past! One of the many tasks that they have hired me to do is to move this data onto a computer system. Not surprisingly the owner, office manager, and other employees don?t know much about computers. They have about 5 machines in the office that houses about 25 employees. Their main use of the computers that they have is updating an online MLS, that is managed by the local association of realtors.
Therefore, I am in the process of researching different types of Database Management Systems (DBMS) that I can use to move this company into the 21st century! I am currently researching Oracle, Microsoft Access, Microsoft SQL Server, and FileMaker. This is going to be a giant learning experience for me because the only database platform that I have experience with is MySQL.
So with that said I turn to the good folks here at TR to seek advice and knowledge! To start the discussion off let me set a few requirements for the future DBMS:
[u][b]Multiple Users:[/b][/u] I would like for all employees to have access to this database. Currently they do not have a LAN. Setting up a LAN for this might be cost prohibitive because this database would be the only application running on it. Despite the fact that I would like everyone to have access to this database, the owner of the company has requested that certain aspects of data not be accessible to the bulk of employees, such as employee compensation and salary. I am assuming the best way to do this would be to enlist restricted access to certain fields for designated users.
[u][b]User Friendly:[/b][/u] Remember when it comes to DBMSs I am still kinda a n00b. And if I am a n00b, then that means that everyone else in the office is a complete idiot! Therefore, I am gonna need a platform that is easy to learn and teach. Eventually, I would like to teach everyone in the office how to update, manage, and interact with this DBMS on a daily basis.
[u][b]Web Accessible:[/b][/u] If possible I would like for certain sections of the database to be accessible by the web. This is mainly so we can list ?featured properties? on our web site. Some methods for doing this might be the ability to easily convert tables to MySQL or build the whole thing on a sever side application.
[u][b]Security:[/b][/u] Once again I am a n00b in this area as well. As a web developer I have always relied on using software that has long standing reputations as safe and secure for my projects. I am not afraid of allocating the necessary resources to make sure that my projects are secure. And this project is no exception. This real estate company is located in a highly competitive housing market that is used to selling property in the 7 figure price range. Therefore, this database will be dealing with highly valuable data that needs to have the highest level of security.
So what do you think? What?s the best DBMS choice for this project? I can?t wait to hear your thoughts!
