Why a Desktop Application? back
Because there's no other way to have complete control over your business information. Most small businesses start out using Microsoft Word in conjunction with Microsoft Excel. This is fine as long as the business really is small. But most out-grow this quickly. A spreadsheet is a wonderful tool but it has its limitations.
One limitation: A spreadsheet can only be edited by one person at a time. Additionally, often the only one that understands the spreadsheet is the one who created it. Others don't have a clue! Plus, when you have more than a few thousand rows, a spreadsheet tends to bogg down. Like a transmission in a car, you can only go so far in lower gears. What's needed is a database that can handle tens of thousands or even hundreds of thousands of records, with extra easy data entry.
Database Advantages:
Below are screen shots of sections of a typical Access form. The complete form is shown at the very bottom of this page.
In the first screen shot notice the horizontal and vertical math. As the "Hours" field is filled out the "Charged" field is calculated automatically. The "Hours" field also gets summed.
In the next figure notice the "Total Charged", "Amt Paid" and "Bal Due" fields . They get their values as a result of the data entered in the hours table (above). If there is a Balance Due, it is set-off in red.
The form has a custom ribbon at the top. This ribbon allows you to select other forms and reports, do filtering and sorting, and find just the invoice you are interested in. It even allows you to check your spelling.
Please Note:
The screen shots in this application are for a fictitious company called "Solar With a Flare". All data values are fictitious as well.