Need some initial design help.

[nex20]

Hi guys,

I am doing a project for one of my parents friends in creating a program for them which will help their business. I do have abit of knowledge in programming but I am unsure which route would be best to take.

Basically, the program needs to be able to do the following:

1: Record how long the user has been on the phone to a client for (in minutes).
2: Calculate a cost.
3: Save cost etc... to a database.
4: Be able to print a monthly report.

Now that all seems pretty easy (ish). What im struggling with is what languages/technologies to use to make it the most efficient. I could use a webpage (with flash built in) to calculate the cost then send it to a Mysql database but then I would struggle to print the report?

Or if I use the above example but have the user manually type the calculated cost into a MS Access DB and that would easily be able to create reports.

Any suggestions in different approaches I can take?

Nex

 

[namnoc]

Hi, am I right in thinking you want a stop and start button that can be pressed at the beginning and end of the call, or do you use something else to time the call? And is it all from one PC, or at different locations? Let me know as this could be much simpler than you think depending on what your answers are....

 

[_TubbZ_]

If its for more than 1 person (and assuming that else you wouldn't need this program) then you would be best off making a simple web app using php and mysql. As you will only have it running on a local host then you really don't have to be too fussed about security and the like.

If you are to go this route then i would download xampp, which is a nice package of php, mysql and apache (plus some other things which you won't need) and then for coding it you could stick to a text editor, i would recommend Notepad++ for that. Or try out eclipse PDT if you want a full blown ide.

 

[Zaf]

I'm taking it she wants to do it on the cheap, do they already have a telephone system in place PBX if so what make and model?

If not have a look at creating an Asterisk VoIP PBX once all the calls are going through this you can start logging and reporting the calls being made by each ext

http://www.asterisk.org/

 

[nex20]

Hi, am I right in thinking you want a stop and start button that can be pressed at the beginning and end of the call, or do you use something else to time the call? And is it all from one PC, or at different locations? Let me know as this could be much simpler than you think depending on what your answers are....

Yes mate, it will only be used on the one PC. Yeah im going to create a timer (stop and start) then they want the option to save it to a database. So i'm thinking just a dynamic website would be able to sort that.

If its for more than 1 person (and assuming that else you wouldn't need this program) then you would be best off making a simple web app using php and mysql. As you will only have it running on a local host then you really don't have to be too fussed about security and the like.

If you are to go this route then i would download xampp, which is a nice package of php, mysql and apache (plus some other things which you won't need) and then for coding it you could stick to a text editor, i would recommend Notepad++ for that. Or try out eclipse PDT if you want a full blown ide.

Cheers mate, I already got a dreamweaver on my PC so the ide isn't a problem. I was thinking of that idea (with it being local), with a drop down box and search options to draw information from a mysql database.

Cheers for the suggestions so far guys.

 

[Zaf]

If they have a buissness account with BT etc it might be worth asking for itemised billing in csv format.

I don't think an end user having to physically press a button before and after calls is the right way going about it.