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Example Database Help

This TechNote complements our TechNote on Integrating PLS-CADD with a Database, and is solely intended to familiarize users with an example database so that they may better understand PLS-CADD database integration. You may download this example database and make free use of it. In it's present form, it can be used on a project by project basis or it could be modified to become part of a larger more sophisticated multi-project database. Please keep in mind that our intent is to demonstrate the simplest possible database and so we cannot promise that this is the best possible database design. This example is intended as an exercise to spur further development on your part and to show what can be achieved by a regular engineer armed with a "Access for Dummies" book and a weeks worth of time.

PLS-CADD uses ODBC (Open DataBase Connectivity) to link with any ODBC compliant database. This capability allows users to integrate PLS-CADD with existing databases for materials management and inventorying, labor and work order generation, construction equipment requirements and scheduling, and even allows most common Geographical Information Systems (GIS) to extract project information to populate GIS data in accordance with the latest design that has been developed in PLS-CADD.

The example Access database is set up using menu items so that users not familiar with the inner workings of a database can use it as well. Upon opening the database, you will first see the introduction screen.

Upon clicking the OK button, you will now be in the Main Menu. From this menu, you can enter the General Menu, Materials Menu, Assemblies Menu, Reports Menu, or exit the database. The details of each menu follow below.

In the General Menu you input company, project, and project engineer information for later retrieval in automating purchase requisitions and other reports.

The Material Menu is used to add and edit material items and their associated manufacturers and suppliers. In order to add a manufacturer or a supplier to a material item, you must first add them to their respective listing by using the Add Manufacturer or Add Supplier functions.

The Assemblies Menu is used to add and edit assemblies, labor, and equipment items.

Finally, the Reports Menu is used to select the various reports that can be automatically generated from the database. Please be patient, as these reports can take thirty seconds or so to be generated.

Now that you understand how to use our example database, return to our TechNote page on Integrating PLS-CADD with a Database to see how to integrate PLS-CADD with it.