Can MS Access be used in handling logistic warehousing and distribution?

I want to handle the stock list and customer list, including delivery, repair and return list and so on.
But I don’t have any other software like accounting or others, I only have ms access and Excel.
I want to use MS Access in Logistic warehousing & Distribution.
Please help me!

Yes, Both MS Access & Excel can be used for those things.
I have even seen them used together.

Usually MS Access comes with "Templates" of databases that can be automatically set up and all you have to do is enter data. Click "NEW DATABASE" and Look through the template listing to see if one matches (or is very close to) what You would be needing. If it’s not there You may have to have Access re-installed with the "FULL INSTALL" rather than the "Recommended".

Check out the "NORTHWIND.mdb" sample DB available free from the Microsoft Knowledge base (It’s actually a sample of what You are asking about!). And I would recommend a quick course in MS Access development befor trying to make any changes to the Templates.

But Access and Excel both DO have limitations. Excel can not have more than 16K rows on any given spreadsheet, and both have a "FILE SIZE LIMIT" imposed by windows. For MS ACCESS the "File size limit" is 2 GB. Work-arounds for this usually involve good data management (like deleting/archiving old records) and LINKING several DBs to each other so EACH ONE can grow to 2 GB.
The size limitations usually only come into play for MAJOR applications (like coordinating a chain of warehouses).

Alternativley I know there are some FREE-WARE database programs available, but they are most likely not as flexible to use as MS Access, nor as well developed.

2 Responses to “Can MS Access be used in handling logistic warehousing and distribution?”

  1. Mike M Says:

    Hi
    simple answer – yes… but i would advise against….

    Access has its limits and you will find that you outgrow it faster than you think. There are several stock and inventory management applications available on the market that use sql. This is more scalable and will be cheaper in the long run.

    With databases (and most software for that matter) it is better to buy the right tool for the right job, rather than create a work-around.
    good luck
    References :

  2. Capt Crasher Says:

    Yes, Both MS Access & Excel can be used for those things.
    I have even seen them used together.

    Usually MS Access comes with "Templates" of databases that can be automatically set up and all you have to do is enter data. Click "NEW DATABASE" and Look through the template listing to see if one matches (or is very close to) what You would be needing. If it’s not there You may have to have Access re-installed with the "FULL INSTALL" rather than the "Recommended".

    Check out the "NORTHWIND.mdb" sample DB available free from the Microsoft Knowledge base (It’s actually a sample of what You are asking about!). And I would recommend a quick course in MS Access development befor trying to make any changes to the Templates.

    But Access and Excel both DO have limitations. Excel can not have more than 16K rows on any given spreadsheet, and both have a "FILE SIZE LIMIT" imposed by windows. For MS ACCESS the "File size limit" is 2 GB. Work-arounds for this usually involve good data management (like deleting/archiving old records) and LINKING several DBs to each other so EACH ONE can grow to 2 GB.
    The size limitations usually only come into play for MAJOR applications (like coordinating a chain of warehouses).

    Alternativley I know there are some FREE-WARE database programs available, but they are most likely not as flexible to use as MS Access, nor as well developed.
    References :
    9 years developing MS Access DBs
    Microsoft Knowledge base: http://support.microsoft.com/
    http://www.free-ed.net
    http://www.utteraccess.com

Leave a Reply