The recommended Web browser will be MS Internet Explorer (IE5 or
higher). Many features of this Web site works only with IE5 and not the
competing Internet browser from Netscape Corporation.
Language
Language changes are easily made and error messages can be displayed in the
visitors browsers in a number of different languages without
reprogramming.
Default Page Encoding will be set to U.S./Western European, but other Web
sites will be "duplicated" in the required languages. Page Encoding
is also available in Korean, Greek, Cyrillic, Thai and any of a number of
other encoding forms.
The recommended front-end database management system will be MS
Access (Access 2000 or higher).
Integration
MS Access is a fully developed relational database system that fully integrates
with Microsoft Office 2000 products. It can stand by itself as a database
system, in a a file-server configuration, or as a front-end to a SQL server
such as MS SQL7, Oracle, Sybase, or mainframe IBM DB/2 by using ODBC
drivers.
Data can be imported from or export to other formats such as ASCII,
Btrieve, dBase, Excel, FoxPro, or SQL server and Oracle.
Linking to these same databases without the need of actually creating local
files.
Ease of Use
Access provides context-sensitive Help information about any item a
user is working on. It includes the Office Assistant and Screen tips
which responses in plain English when help is requested. Wizards are
included that makes it possible to design databases in minutes instead of
hours. A complete inventory system or a personnel management system can be
created in minutes.
Cost
MS Access comes package with Microsoft Office products. It has a very large
installed base and is well known. It is easy to learn without having to spend
large amounts of time or money on training. It is powerful enough to be able to
install on a laptop.
Functionality
MS Access has the power of many databases that cost much more. Access's
Report Writer allows up to ten levels of aggregation and sorting.
Bar graphs and charts in two and three dimensions can be created dynamically
from the underlying tables. Access contains a Pivot Table Wizard that can
create Excel pivot tables.
MS Access is fully "Web Aware." Any table, report or database
form can be saved as a HTML file. A feature called Data Access Pages
makes it possible to create complex forms for the Internet that link with live
data on the database.
Access 2000 comes with the Microsoft Database Engine which is the same
database engine used by SQL Server 7.0 desktop edition. This allows for the
creation of true client-server applications.
Data Security
PCs running windows 95 or 98 do not have a system whereby security may be
implemented. Access provides for its own security and data integrity.