HELP! Multi-user data collection tw/ tablet PC - using Access

[cedar]

Hi-
Has anyone ever used tablet PC's for data collection into an Access db, with several people updating the same db at the same time?

We have a master db at the office, and 5 tablet PC's (Pencetra's). We want our field folks to be able to go into the field, each with a copy of the 'master' db, then make updates and additions, then be able to go back to the office and import the new data to the master copy. This process will probably happen simultaneously for several people.

We're concerned that they are going to overwrite each others data when they import the data back in. We're looking into creating a replicate db, but have little experience with them.

Our 2 biggest problems are that we are not db experts (and will not be maintaining the db), and that the poeple who will be updating the db are computer-phobes and will need the simplest process possible to do this.

Any ideas/advice/direction is extremely appreciated!!!!!
Thanks-
a

 

[KornGeek]

I've dealt with a similar situation, and the way I keep the remote users from overwriting the data is with date & time stamping. I compare the records to see who has the most recent update, and take that to be the current value. I also keep a change log, so that even the discarded data can be recovered in case of an emergency.

Good luck to you.