[AccessD] database modelling

<free plug>
I second JB's comments about the FMS tools.  Although the FMS tools are
expensive for the week-end code warrior set, they are worth the price to
the full-time Access developers.  I persuaded my boss that the US$5000
Enterprise Suite was worth purchasing and probably will have saved more
than that much by using them before it is time to upgrade to the next
version.  And if I had the time to go through all the features in all
the tools included in the Enterprise Suite, I probably would have saved
the full price already.

As JB mentions, there are also other tools on the market that may meet
your needs.  But if full-time Access development is your thing, then the
FMS Access tools are worth looking into.  You can find them at
www.fmsinc.com.  I have no connection to FMS other than being a happy
user.
</free plug>

Charles Wortz
Software Development Division
Texas Education Agency
1701 N. Congress Ave
Austin, TX 78701-1494
512-463-9493
CWortz at tea.state.tx.us



-----Original Message-----
From: John B. [mailto:jbartow at fastbytes.com] 
Sent: Tuesday 2003 Jul 15 07:31
To: Access Developers discussion and problem solving
Subject: RE: [AccessD] database modelling

FMS Acces Analyzer will document and report errors, make suggestions,
print workflow diagrams. It seems that I don't use half of the
functionality it offers (no need yet).

They offer free trials. The big thing with them versus other more
expenisve tools is that they only work with one type of database (Access
or SQL Server depending on which one you purchase)

HTH
JB

> -----Original Message-----
> From: accessd-bounces at databaseadvisors.com
> [mailto:accessd-bounces at databaseadvisors.com]On Behalf Of Sad Der
> Sent: Tuesday, July 15, 2003 5:16 AM
> To: Access Developers discussion and problem solving
> Subject: RE: [AccessD] database modelling
>
>
> Visio 200x is a great program. but I've never seen a
> tool that could do what SDW could. It gives you the possibility to 
> "zoom into" a diagram. Start with the core business process. From 
> there you can drill down to 'lower'-processes. You can add 
> relationships to data stores, these datastores have to be filled with
> fields and stuff.
>
> After you're done with you're eg 27 level diagram you
> hit the "Check" button and it reports that on level 4
> you have no output for process x, datastore y isn't referenced, etc 
> etc etc.
>
> Unfortunatly it is VERY expensive and the company I
> now work doesn't have it and is not going to, bummer.
>
> thnx for the link i'll check it out.
>
> Sander
>
>
> --- Charlotte Foust <cfoust at infostatsystems.com>
> wrote:
> > I don't know why you're against Visio, but have you
> > tried DeZign for
> > Databases?
> >   http://www.datanamic.com/dezign/index.html
> >
> > Charlotte Foust
> >
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From: Sad Der [mailto:accessd666 at yahoo.com]
> > Sent: Monday, July 14, 2003 1:49 AM
> > To: Acces User Group
> > Subject: [AccessD] database modelling
> >
> >
> > hi group,
> >
> > today I received a present: several(!) new access
> > (2k) applications that
> > we need to maintain.
> >
> > I want to start creating modells for all of these application.
> >
> > The most importent models I want to create are:
> > -Data flow diagram (DFD) (witch
> > tables/queries/fields
> > are used in wich form/report/etc.)
> > -Software flow models (wich function/sub/module is
> > used in wich form/report)
> >
> > The only tool I ever used to create DFD's with is
> > SDW
> > (System Development Workbench). It's a b#tch of a
> > tool
> > but once you've got it setup it is a great and fast
> > tool.
> >
> > Questions:
> > Does anybody know
> > 1) other good (read NOT Visio) tools to create
> > DFD's?
> > 2) tools to create these 'software diagrams'?
> >
> > thnx,
> >
> > Sander