Developing a multi-user production planning app with Visual C++ and MS Access: GUI and data access questions

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1

Hey everyone,

I’m working on a project to replace our old Excel-based production queue planner with a new app. The current system is pretty basic and has some limitations. Here’s what I’m trying to do:

  1. Create a Visual C++ app that connects to an MS Access database
  2. Allow multiple users to access and update data simultaneously
  3. Design a user-friendly interface similar to the Excel sheet, but better

The main screen should look something like this:

|------------------------------------------|
| Product | Start | End   | Status | Notes |
|------------------------------------------|
| Item A  |[====================]| In prog |
| Item B  |    [============]    | Pending |
| Item C  |[====]                | Complete|
|------------------------------------------|

I’m wondering:

  1. What should I consider for multi-user access to the database?
  2. Are there any good .NET controls for creating a canvas-like interface where users can easily move and add those colorful bars?
  3. Any tips for making the transition from Excel to a custom app smoother?

Thanks for your help!

2

hey silvia, cool project! for multi-user access, try ADO.NET and connection pooling. check out windows forms DataGridView for a similar look to your mockup. also involve ur team early to test and give feedbak. might ease the transition.

3

For multi-user database access, consider implementing a robust locking mechanism to prevent data conflicts. This could involve row-level locking in MS Access or using transactions for critical operations.

Regarding the interface, the Windows Forms DataGridView control can be customized to create a similar layout to your mockup. You can add custom drawing to create the colorful bars within cells.

To smooth the transition from Excel, try to maintain familiar keyboard shortcuts and data entry patterns where possible. Implement an import feature for existing Excel data and provide comprehensive training sessions for your team.

Remember to thoroughly test the app under various concurrent user scenarios to ensure data integrity and performance.

4

hey, thats an intriguing approach. have you considered a web api too?
i reckon wpf control might offer nimble customization for those colorful bars.
would u mind sharing ur team’s experience with adapting to new tech? i’m curious how they handle changes from excel workflow.