A database is a system that stores all of the data used in On-Screen Takeoff such as: Takeoff, Employees, Styles and Style Sets, and Bid information. and links to image files along with all the Projects you create. Think of a database as sort of a file cabinet in which you store all your project data.
Creating a database is the first step to working with the On-Screen Takeoff, Quick Bid, or Digital Production Control. There are two databases included with your product - one includes example projects, the other is a blank database where you can start creating Bids.
Some clients create a database for each employee, while others use one for each different geographic location, each office, or even a separate database for each Project. Keeping your databases organized makes it easier to apply the default settings that match the needs of a particular project. See CLS - Best Practices for some advice on database/bid management.
Whatever method used to manage databases, you need to understand:
- How to create a database (the program does all the hard work for you...)
- How to synchronize a new database to an existing database (this means you do not have to 'recreate the wheel' each time you create a new database)
- Setup database options, defaults, and preferences (options do not transfer from one database to another) (covered in Related Articles)
- Share databases (the Do's and Don'ts)
- Database Maintenance (Backing up and Compact/Repairing)
The articles that follow detail these concepts.
Database Types
There are two types of databases: Microsoft Access® and Microsoft SQL Server®.
- Access - the default is Microsoft Access - this type of database is suitable for a single user who stores their databases on their local computer. There is nothing you need to install to use Microsoft Access databases with your product.
- SQL - if you need to share a database among multiple users or store a database on a network, you must use Microsoft SQL.
Determine which type of database suits the needs of your organization and follow the directions provided in the articles that follow for creating that type of database.
See Using SQL Server to Share Databases in On-Screen Takeoff and Quick Bid - OST QB DPC for more information about database types and suggestions on use.
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