Reports

[aviles1973]

I am buliding a sophiscated application in VB.net. Its a program that I plan to go commercial with when I'm done.

Its a HVAC program that keeps track of customers, service calls, etc. and all the neccesary features to run a HVAC Business.

I have a couple questions:

1) Is VB.net powerful enough to deliver this kind of software and are there alot of commercial programs built in VB.net?

2) I am pretty good at building a great GUI and coding the database userfriendly but I always had problems faced when it was time to get the data onto a printer to print Contracts, Service Tickets, etc.

I have looked into SQL Server 2005 and the intro video showed generated reports. I also fooled around with Crystal Reports to print out Avery Labels of a contact database.

Do the reports in SQLServer2005 have the ability to be run from VB.net Lets say when a user presses the print contract button in the program?
Or is there another 3rd party program that can take care of the document printing needs?

3)Another problem I have and its probably easier then what I thought, is when I finally release my program is screen size differences.

I am designing my software with a resolution of 1152 x 864 pixels and I know alot of users prefer other screen sizes:
800 x 600
1024 x 768
and so on as a personal preference.

How can I make sure that everyone installs my program will see it the way I do when I design it?

4)I'm getting crazy now but this seems the best place to get knowledgeable feedback without crude remarks.

How can I get Software Packaging like boxes and Profressional CD Labels to distrubute professionally?

Is there a Program that does this?
I have Googled and found numerous companies that offer this but far too expensive!

 

[aviles1973]

Sorry! One more QUESTION:

I use Microsoft Access for my Database and thanks to jebenson I am trying to learn SQLServer2005.

My question is if Access is powerful and fast enough to use when my Data becomes very large in the database?

WILL IT CRASH or is it recommended to learn SQLServer2005?

 

[djj55]

It will crash. Learning SQL Server is a good idea. Access is for small limited user databases.
djj

 

[rjoubert]

VB.NET is a powerful tool, especially when you build your app on top of SQL Server. As for your screen resolution dilemma, the best thing to do would be to put your screen down to 800 x 600 and develop to that resolution. I know it can be painful to do that, especially since you're used to a much higher resolution. But your users who use 800 x 600 will certainly appreciate a UI that actually fits on their screen.

 

[djj55]

I set to 800 x 600 find the maximum form size then go back to high resolution to program. Changing to 800 x 600 to test. Note this WILL move your desktop icons if you are using them.
djj

 

[aviles1973]

Thanks Guys! I love this place!