services wanted Help wanted to make database for tender inquiries

[asa1963]

Hi,

I think my “problem” should not be so difficult but I am in hurry so I can’t think properly any more.

I have made a database about our contractors (companies) without client number.

I have collected 300 names and addresses.

I have also put contract numbers and the contract names for our works (around one hundred) in the same database and in the same lay out.

We have now sent some of companies tender inquires about our works and my database is now waiting for to be filled with different information.

The information which is needed to be filled is following:

1. Company whom we have sent the tender inquiry (we might have send many different tender inquiries to the same company)

2. Tender inquiry contract number

3. Tender inquiry contract name

4. Date the tender inquiry has sent out,

5. Date we have received tender inquiry back,

6. What price contractors (companies) are offering,

7. Name for the companies whom we have negotiated with,

8. Negotiation date

9. The final price after negotiation,

10. Companies we have selected,

11. The reason for selection

Finally I need to make a report (or new layout where all information is collected in one page) about every contract case separate:

1. Contract number

2. Contract name

3. Names for the companies whom we have sent that inquiry (list, companies can be 20)

4. Date the inquiry has sent out

5. Names for the companies whom we have received the tender inquires

6. The date we have received inquiries

7. The price contractors (companies) are offering

8. Name for the companies whom we have negotiated with (maybe 5)

9. Negotiation date

10. The final price after negotiation

11. The Company we have selected (only 1)

12. The reason for the selection

The report could look like this for example:

HEADLINE:

1) Contract number and 2) the name for contract (one case separate)

INQUIRY HAS SENT TO FOLLOWING COMPANIES (list)

1) Company names and 2) the date inquiry has sent out (in same line)

INQUIRYS RECEIVED FROM FOLLOWING COMPANIES (list)

1) Date for received offer, 2) Company name, 3) the offered price

NEGOTIATED WITH FOLLOWING COMPANIES (list):

1) Negotiation date, 2) Company name, 3) the offered price, 4) the final price after negotiation (on same line)

WE HAVE DECIDED TO SELECT FOLLOWING COMPANY:

Company name, the final price (only one)

THE REASON FOR SELECTION:

? X X X

My problem is following:

Because the same company can get many inquires and do many different works for us how to make registration about them the simplest way?

Shall I build 1) database with company names (which I already have), 2) separate database only for contract numbers and names for our works and 3) database only for inquiries?

Is it better to make different tables in that case and make relationships between them? What is the logical relationships between tables? How shall I do that? Do I need to put some field more somewhere?

Because I would like to have all my information in same database I am also thinking if the self-joining relationships are the best solutions for me which can solve my problem the simplest way?

I have been thinking about this problem all the time now and my brain is stuck now and I think it is not working any more…

I have used File Maker Pro 7 for windows only for two weeks. I have used FileMaker last years ago and at that time I used Mac Intosh. So I try to study all the time also but my thoughts keeps going back to this problem all the time…

Please help me! My report has to be done before 9.12.2005.

[David McQueen]

Your structure is not correct here. This does not appear to me to be a single table solution.

This would be a start:

1. Names/companies table

2. Works or jobs table

3. Invitations to tender table - joins Names and Works

4. Tenders Table - Joins Invitations to Tender and Works

Final data for the awarded tender would attach to the Works.

Depending on all of the things you want to show, this structure should at least get you started there.

You would need and interface to bring it together.

Hope this helps

Dave McQueen

[Joe King]

Okay first, we'll start from the bottom, this report has to be done by when? You stated 9/12/2005, but I'm guessing you're not from the US and that means Dec 12, otherwise your already past your due date.

I've been working with FileMaker since 1988 and I'm normally pretty good at data modeling. I would like to see if I can solve your riddle. If you could drop me a email, we can arrange for me to look at your files.

There would be no charge for reviewing your data model, if you needed someone to complete the project, we could talk about that...

Thanks,

Joe

[Joe King]

I thought my signature would be added to the message. My email address is: [email protected], or you could call me at 865-384-8353.

Thanks,

Joe King

FileMaker 7 Certified Developer

FileMaker Developer's Network

[email protected]

865-384-8353