In a few weeks we will be getting new computers with Microsoft Excell and
Access.  I want advice on whether it would be better to keep our payment
records in the spreadsheet or the database program.  Or must we do both?  At
this point I have records in Dbase III Plus for current manipulative
reports.  But I also keep a running account by title, year by year in Word
Perfect so that we can see what invoices have been paid, when, and follow
costs year by year.  I would like to use one program for all payment
records.  It would need to pull current info for cost reports but also be
able to add year by year invoice #, date and cost.  Is this possible in
either a spreadsheet or a database?

If you know a lot about these programs, I would like to consult you.

Fields that would stay the same:
Title
College
Department
Type of publication
Vendor
Current or Not
Notes
Retain code

Fields to add each year
Cost
Microform cost
Dates covered by payment
Invoice #
Date paid

Types of reports I'd want

Current costs by department
Current total costs
Titles by department with current costs
Titles that were paid by this date last year, but have not been invoiced
this year
Ability to view payment and cost history per title

I'd also like to be able to feed in Ebsco's data electronically.

So, which would be better, spreadsheet or database?  Can I have my cake and
eat it too?

Anne

Anne Frohlich, Serials Librarian     PHONE 318/475-5741
Frazar Memorial Library                FAX 318/475-5719
McNeese State University             EMAIL frohlich@acc.mcneese.edu
Box 91445
Lake Charles, LA 70609