I am looking for a database program (preferably free) that is easy to use. I manage a paint store and I want to organize my custom formulas so that I can print them on my label printer. I currently use Excel to create custom labels. I would like to be able to input formulas into a data base along with the product and color name. Then I want to be able to search by either color name or number. Then select the product and size and have the program put the formula up one the screen. My Excel format looks like this:

Color Name: Color XXX
Base: Base XXX
Colorant Oz 48 96
LB 1

Date: Today

I can select the base from a Drop down Menu.

Any ideas?

 

Hi bclacquer,

Open office is a full office suite and free!!
It includes word processor, spreadsheed, database, etc

http://www.openoffice.org/

 

I have tried that. I can't get it to do what I want it to do.

 

I use another office suite, but this is not free
It is Perfect Pro Office. I paid $40.00 for it at Best Buy
It works exactly as the MS Office

 

You are going to want a database like Microsoft Access. It can do everything and then some. You could purchase the Office program and it would be a tax deduction, eh?

 

I have Access, I guess I am going to have to learn it. I have tried a few times, but can't seem to get it to work how I want. Maybe it just won't.

 

You will need one of those "Access or dummies" books. I've worked with Access ALOT, but it does take considerable time to learn and setup.

 

You may be able to find a local college student to do the work in Access for you. Not sure how you would go about finding them, maybe contact their career center. There's probably a lot of 3rd or 4th year CS majors capable of doing what you want. You might be able to get away with $20 / hour, maybe 8 - 10 hours (tops) for what you're describing.

If you go with a contracting company be prepared to pay alot for what you get. The company I worked for would quote about $75 an hour for an access project. Even something simple could take 4-8 hours, maybe less if you had very detailed requirements prepared.

If you go that route, the more details you provide up front, the cheaper it will be for you since you won't have to do any rework.

 

If you're already set up in Excel, why not do what I do. Here at work, I use a 5000 - 7000 item master spreadsheet daily. When I need to find something, I simply press Ctrl-F (FIND) and enter what I am looking for in the slot.

There are 9 sub-headings so I generally select 'search by columns'. Very quick.

If you want a list of all items under a certain criteria, turn on 'Auto Filter' (DATA\FILTER\AUTO FILTER) and use the pull-down selections on each column to show only the selected matches.

 

I agree. As a matter of fact, you can format the Excel info and convert it in a database using the filters

Just use the Data Menu, it works like a charm

 

my issue is that I want to be able to select/find a color name or number then have it displayed with a formula for a product I select and be able to print it in a specific format. We have fancy stuff like this with our manufacture's formula's in it, but I cannot add the product lines into the database. So I want to make my own.

 

A paint formula is nothing more than a recipe. You could try the Recipe Template for Microsoft Access.

 

Almost every hosting company has a variation of SQL (a database server) installed and available with most website hosting packages. What you are asking for could be done pretty easily with a MySQL database and some PHP coding.

The internet is overflowing with tutorials for setting this type of thing up. Alot of them are specifically about very basic CMS (contact management systems) which are more complicated than what you want.
If you are so inclined you could read a couple of those walkthroughs and put your system together yourself. If you would rather hire someone I am sure you could find a highschool or undergrad college student that could easily do this for you on a weekend contract for cheap.

 

thanks for all the input, I think I have some studying to do. I am doing this on my own time for my store(s). I can't pay anyone and the company won't. I think I may try the recipe this first then look at the SQL stuff. You have all been quite helpful.