Updating records stored in another database or table

[ch1105]

Hi,

I'm looking for some "relationship" advice. A co-worker maintains her own filemaker database (containing contact info for about 800 individuals). I maintain a separate filemaker database with my own contacts, about 200 of whom also appear in my coworker's records. For security reasons we cannot merge and share the two versions.

Is there any way that we can create a relationship between them so that when she updates a common record in hers, the changes automatically occur in mine too. (I know I can export her list and import to mine using the update function, but it seems like there is probably a more simple way to approach this long-term problem.) Thanks!

[bcooney]

If you can't merge and share, then how can you relate the files?

Given two systems that "share" Contacts, I would have separated the Contact table into its own file. Then I would reference this file in each system.

I don't see how you can export/import without risking serial number conflicts.

[ch1105]

Sorry, I wasn't entirely clear with my issue. Maybe this info will help.

My co-worker makes regular address updates, I do not. To be certain that I'm using the most current contact info, I have to manually find our common contacts, export the list from her database and import into mine using the "Update matching records in found set function". (They have the same serial numbers in both.)

The system works, it would just be much more efficient to use a script to auto-find/replace. I just don't know whether that can be done without consolidating to one database with multiple tables. (And if I go this route, how can I protect my records.)

Hypothetically we could actually consolidate all contacts to one main database, but certain records would have to have restricted access.

[bcooney]

Well, you can certainly script an import.

You can protect who sees what (to the field level) with record level access privileges.

[bruceR]

Sorry, I wasn't entirely clear with my issue. Maybe this info will help.

My co-worker makes regular address updates, I do not. To be certain that I'm using the most current contact info, I have to manually find our common contacts, export the list from her database and import into mine using the "Update matching records in found set function". (They have the same serial numbers in both.)

The system works, it would just be much more efficient to use a script to auto-find/replace. I just don't know whether that can be done without consolidating to one database with multiple tables. (And if I go this route, how can I protect my records.)

Hypothetically we could actually consolidate all contacts to one main database, but certain records would have to have restricted access.

How do you know which are the matching records? By name? Phone number? :

[bcooney]

He says, "They have the same serial numbers in both," Bruce. htb