Keeping records the same across a network

[Ninja]

I'm currently making a database for a warehousing and distribution company, the database keeps track of deliveries and items out of the warehouse, goods in, client's details and invoices (based on all of the above). When implemented the program will be installed on more than one computer across a network. My worry is that details on one computer may become different to those on another.

I havn't worked on this aspect of the Dbase yet, but my theory is to set each record in each table as <the computer name>_<recordID> to ensure that every record on every computer is different. Then give the user an 'Import Records' Button which will import and update where nessacery all the records in all the files where details may be different.

I dont believe that i can only install one version of the database and have all users access it because im creating a runtime solution. Also in my experience records cannot be edited if another user has the file open and the whole Dbase is inter-relational and so requires most of the files to be open all the time.

I was hoping someone with some experience in the matter could shed some light on a possible solution.

[Ender]

If your workstations are networked and they need access to each other's records, then the obvious solution is to host the files. It's not clear why you want to use runtime for this application.

[Ninja]

Because the company im making it for dont have a copy of FileMaker, I don't want them to be able to mess with the database and they dont have any kind of IT department so once i give it to them they dont need the facility to change anything. And because i dont want to have to set user privileges or anything like that to it to stop them from changing the database structure.

I could just be looking at it all wrong, but as i say i dont really have any experiene in this side of it.

[Ender]

It seems like it would be more costly, in support, dealing with outdated data, and dealing with the syncronization of these databases, to go with your plan of importing and exporting records.

[Ninja]

I think you're right, I've found a copy of FM6 on ebay for next to nothing. It'll probably work out much better, thanks.