extracting source code and/or converting an existing DB back to tables

[RHMech01]

I am the Communications Manager for a large HVAC contractor in Colorado, we use an Access database called EMS

http://www.cucsoft.com

its a DB solely for the HVAC industry, and it works well, but I am having extreme amounts of trouble getting the vendor of the program to write me some programs for the Dell Axim's that our service techs use, right now, they are unable to view their on hand inventory on their PDA's, so if its a small part, they have to use a paper inventory to look up the part number, and that takes time, time is money in our business, just as in all others.

I have found basic4ppc, a program that allows me to create basic programs for the pocket PC, but I'm not there yet, I need the information out of our database to put into these programs, either that, or get the inforamtion extracted, and make them into pocket access databases. One or the other will work.

So, hopefully there is someone here that knows about extracting the source code from an existing database, or how to get the information that I need back into Access table format. If I could just get the info into table format, I figure that the rest would be easy, it would just be the sync with my desktop by the service techs and then have to upload the information back into the "EMS" database that we use.


Any help? Anyone?

blakej@randhmechanical.com

 

[lupins46]

I know nothing about your application so this is written in general terms regarding your requirements.

I would have thought that 'extracting the source code from an existing database' would be illegal in terms of your software licence, even assuming it was possible.

I think it is totally reasonable to ask your software vendor for a method of getting YOUR data out of the database - and I would imagine that it would not be a difficult task.

However, if someone wanted to start doing their own data upload into one of my apps using their own tools, then this would invalidate the support contract and any subsequent support costs would be charged to the customer.

In my opinion, you need to try to work with your software vendor on this. If what you want to do makes sense operationally and commercially, then I would have thought they would want to have the opportunity of broadening the scope of their product.
If not then you have to consider other vendors. You should be cautious about leaving yourself reliant on an unsupported product if it important to your operation.

 

[meagain]

I visited the cucsoft.com website and noticed their software offers data export. If you contact them to determine how to perform this, what format it is delivered in and what the file/filenames are, then you should be able to import the data into your own pre-fab tables.

Good Luck!!

 

[formerTexan]

Hi,

If I am reading your posting correctly, your problem is in getting the data from your current Access database. Whether or not the code is compiled and inaccessable and whether or not the contract with your vendor precludes meddling with proprietary code, your data is your own. And it should still be accessable if it is indeed an Access application.

However getting the data and making sense of it if there are large numbers of thoroughly normalized tables with complex relationships are horses of different colors.

But here goes. Create a new Access database and either create a link to the old tables or run an import procedure. Eureka, you will have all of your data. What to do with it is up to you.

Cheers,
Bill