Portfolio
Dean Liou Consulting has been writing custom databases since
1996.
Below is a small sample selection of the numerous databases written
since 1996.
Each of these databases demonstrates an innovative feature or
solution to a difficult problem.
View or Download
The sample databases listed on this page can be downloaded to
run on your computer. Because these are only meant to be samples,
the databases have been crippled in some way (randomly
disabled reports or forms) and Dean Liou Consulting banners added
on the main screens. The production databases had no such limitations.
The databases are also in a .MDE format which means they have
been compiled and no source code can be extracted from them. If
you would rather not download the database, you can click on the
"View Screenshot" link to pop up a new window
that will show you a screenshot of that main database window.
All databases are in Access 2000 format and databases originally written in
Access97 format have been upgraded to Access 2000 format.
If you would like Dean Liou Consulting to help you with your database needs,
please contact Dean Liou at
dean@deanliou.com References available upon request.
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View
Screenshot
or
Download .MDE
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2001
Dance Studio Client Database
The client had previously created a database on their own,
but needed a more efficient interface and was unable to
record data properly for the client's desired reports. Dean
Liou Consulting suggested a database re-write with focus
on the end reporting capabilities. Ease-of use was (as it
always is) a major focus.
The result was a one-screen main database with all the
client information easily accessible. Adding customer
lesson purchases was done easily with predefined selections
and "just clicking the add button". This turn-key
solution was the answer to their reporting problems.
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View
Screenshot
or
Download .MDE
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2001
Bankruptcy Petition Database
This database was to be used on an Windows Terminal Session.
Users would log into the Terminal Session via the web
and use the database to enter their personal information
right into the database. The administrators would then
be able to browse the entries by date and contact the
applicants by telephone. The information entered into
the database by applicants would be used on their petition
applications.
The database needed to be secure, so a username and password
screen was needed. This database was designed to be as user-friendly
as possible. The example database has the user-friendly
instructions removed as part of the crippling scheme to
prevent these sample databases from being used in production
environments.
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View
Screenshot
or
Download .MDE
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2000
Computer Retail Database
A computer consulting and retail company from Houston contacted
Dean Liou Consulting via EFNet IRC #Access (a help channel
Dean Liou operates dedicated to offering free MS Access
help) for this project. They needed a way to keep track
of computer generated quotes, invoices and also serial numbers
of parts included with systems.
The challenge of creating this database was not the concept,
but forming the concept in a way that would be easy for
users to learn and understand. The result was the arrow
buttons. This allowed users to visually "move"
serial numbers from the serial number bank into a computer
order. Other enhancements include double-clicking on item
fields to pop up a window to find model numbers via an
items search page.
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View
Screenshot
or
Download .MDE
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2000
Metal Distribution Database
This database is used by a Metal Distribution company. It
generates the invoices, packingslips and certificates of
conformity required for the metal trade industry.
The unique "Summary" section allowed the client
to see important information on the main screen rather than
having to preview a report. An improved strategy of the
summary screen has also been used on the Dance Studio database.
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View
Screenshot
or
Download .MDE
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2000
Personal Project Manager
Dean Liou wrote this database for Dean Liou Consulting to
help keep track of client projects, invoicing and billing.
The order of operations flows smoothly.
1) Enter a primary contact
2)Open the Companies manager to add a companies to your
primary contact. This is needed because my primary contacts
can belong to more than one company.
3)Once the contacts and company information is entered,
the main form to use is the Projects form. Use the Projects
for to select a company and add projects to it. This project
manager helps keep track of what time has been unbilled,
billed, and paid. Records move themselves from one "tab"
to the other depending on the status of the checkboxes.
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View
Screenshot
or
Download .MDE
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2000
Uniform State Accounting System - Monthly History Extract
Database
Designed to import State-recorded agency financial transactions.
The State's report is sent as a fixed-width text document.
The USASMHX database imports these text files with the
click of a button. Data is then converted into a CashActivity
table where currency datatypes and postive and negative
values are applied.
The USASMHX Database handles security through the Windows
Network Logon Name. Used in conjunction with a Windows
NT Domain, the security scheme detects which users are
normal users and which users are administrators and loads
the appropriate user menus.
Click HERE
to pop up a web manual for this database.
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View
Screenshot
or
Download .MDE
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2000
Timekeeping Database
This timekeeping database keeps track of employee working
hours, sick leave hours, vacation leave hours, overtime
hours etc. Prints full-detail monthly reports for each employee.
Ability to handle both full-time and part-time employees
with a "part-time multipier" scheme to award
appropriate vacation and sick hours each month.
One-Screen design makes it easy for timekeeping administrator
to see totals on sick leave, vacation leave etc. Date filtering
narrows down dates for better administration.
Click HERE
to pop up a web manual for this database.
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View
Screenshot
or
Download .MDE
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2000
Optometry Clinic Database
A Dallas-based optometry clinic needed a database fast.
This database was created in 3 hours, including the time
for information gathering.
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View
Screenshot
or
Download .MDE
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1999
Computer Consulting Database
An Austin computer consulting company needed a custom database
to help prioritize and manage work order requests from different
clients. A one-screen approach was preferred in this situation,
but with the number of database elements, a 1024x768 resolution
screen was needed to see the entire screen. The client found
this solution most acceptable and benefited from the space
available for the layout.
The listbox on this database used for record navigation
has become an indispensable tool for record navigation.
In the future, this listbox navigation along with combobox
navigation would become my most useful database enhancement.
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View
Screenshot
or
Download .MDE
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1998
Videostore Database
This database is a complete video leasing solution. It
uses barcode scanning technology to scan the UPC symbols
on the back of videos for quick lookup and entry. The
videostore database handles all aspects of the video store's
processes - entering the videos into the database, renting
out the videos, checking in etc.
The database has a one-screen design that Dean Liou Consulting
adopted early on and still used today. From just one screen,
the user is able to see the current day's rentals, entire
rental history, unreturned rentals, late rental returns
and other membership information. The less screens a user
has to open, close and click through, the easier it is for
them to find the information they need.
To view sample data in the videostore database, run the
Videostore.mde file and click on the "Rent Videos"
option. When presented with a "Select Customer"
prompt, enter "sample" (without the quotes)
in the "Scan Customer ID" field and click the
"Search" button. This will bring you to the
rental screen.
This database is still being used today by the Houston
store it was originally written for.
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View
Screenshot
or
Download .MDE
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1996
Immigration Database
The first database Dean Liou Consulting wrote was for Al
Stearns. At that time, Mr. Stearns was in Houston and Dean
Liou was in Austin. Our main means of communication for
the creation of this database was via email, IRC and ICQ.
Al Stearns approached me with the need to organize immigration
clients and the time spent working on each of their cases.
He wanted an easy way to view and enter client and time
billing information. He also needed good reporting features
to print out the information for others to use. With his
needs specifications and my code, we were able to create
a useful database to fill his need. The fact that this database
is still being used today is a testament of its success.
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<Click
here to see Dean Liou's resume and also a sample listing of databases
written for clients>
WindowsRG (Really Good Edition) Fullscreen
Demo Page
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