Inventory Database

[Morgan81]

Hello,
I was wondering what, if any, databases everyone uses for inventory.
I am currently in the middle of re-designing our current MS Access database. Which we inventory codecs (250+), ISDN lines (600+), rooms(250+), A/V equipment(ave. 3 pieces per room). Plus people who are the points of contact and vendors for all of that, and which operating company owns what.
I am not a database developer and have only one formalized class in Oracle a few years back, the rest is self taught so I am trying to be simple as possible, but still trying to be able to query it easily too.
I've run into a mental block so any kind of example might help. Maybe some open source code out there? (or heaven forbid, an existing program that I've missed).

I've already wasted too much time on this, but it has to get done sometime, so if anyone has a suggestion or two I'd really appreciate it.

[George]

Morgan81, I happen to be a web developer on the side and I almost exlusively use MySQL and PHP scripting for web display.

How do you share the database? Have you considered developing an intranet site?

[tom9933]

We currently use an application called Avail that was originally developed for the AV industry. Its main purpose is to schedule av equipment, but it also has a pretty comprehensive inventory component. Check out:
http://avail-software.com/

[Morgan81]

George,
Currently we have a share on our network that allows everyone to look at it, while allows only myself and a backup change access. I have thought about making it available over an intranet site, but since I've never done any kind of web development, I just wanted to make things as simple as possible, and therefore stick to just a basic Access form (which is turning out not to be that simple!).
Tom,
That software looks very useful, but has too many things I just don't need in it. All of our equipment stays in the room it's assigned to, so the "renting" idea wouldn't really apply, but thanks anyway for the link!

[George]

Morgan,

Well if you get to the point where you may consider outsourcing I could definitely help you here and at a discounted/freelance/VTCTalk price :)

Also, there may be prebuilt web scripts out there that can serve intranet pages based on access databases. Not 100% plug-and-play as your database is likely unique but it may be a simple matter of running an installs cript and telling it the field names in your database. I'd try doing a google searches on those.

[mbtmike]

I recently stumbled onto Net simplicty site affiliate of Forgent I believe and they have a nice tool called assey manager...Looks pretty good

[MKVAZ]

I personnally use Polycom Conference Suite- Not only does it control and manage by network, diagnose codec problems, troubleticketing but it's a very good database for equipment, lines etc. It's web based for multiple users, with access levels.