Automatically close DB if no activity in 10 minutes 2

[Sherman6789]

We need to have the database program to save all data and close automatically if the user has no activity within 10 minutes. The file is used by about 10 users on their desk computers. The file is saved on a common drive on the network.

It would be nice, but not necessary if the user were warned that the file will be closed if they don't do something within the next minute.

If the user minimizes the program and walked away or leaves it open while they go to lunch, we want the program to close.

Any assistance that you give will be appreciated.

 

[mp9]

FAQ

http://www.tek-tips.com/faqs.cfm?fid=1432

may help.

 

[KornGeek]

I'm not sure if I'm understanding this properly, so feel free to correct me if I'm wrong. It sounds like you have multiple users launching the same .mdb file on a shared network drive. If one person walks away from their computer, goes to lunch, etc. this file is tied up so other users can't use it.

If this is the case, this is actually a dangerous set up. Multiple users launching the same .mdb leads to an increased chance of file corruption. You should split the database into a front-end interface and a back-end data store. Each user gets an individual copy (usually on their own computer) of the front-end linked to a shared back-end on the server.

This allows multiple users to access the data at the same time, and also makes updates to the interface easy to do without forcing everybody to stop using the database. This may or may not be a solution to your problem in and of itself. If you're truly looking for a timeout, mp9's got you covered.

 

[Sherman6789]

Hi KornGeek,

The answer is no. If someone walks away, the file is not tied up where others can't use it. Access allows several users at a time as long as they are not working on the same record within the table. This is OK. However, no maintenance or program modifications can be made on the file while it is open by others. This is also OK. I just don't think that it is a good practice to allow multiple users to keep a shared file open an unnecessarily long time. The chances of corruption, power outage, etc. are too great. I want the file to automatically close if they are not using it.

By the way, Excel Spreadsheets will not allow more than one user to open the same file at any given time. Multiple users can not view a spreadsheet at the same time except for a copy. At least, that is my experience. If this is not correct, somebody please correct me. I've just converted a spreadsheet into a database because several people need to be able to open and work on a file at the same time. Each person works on different columns of the spreadsheet but they all need to see each other's information, totals and grand totals.

Suggestions are welcomed. Thank you.