Ron,
I have a copy of 3.0 (six floppies) and 2,1 (two floppies. Glad to share with anyone. I am having trouble installing either on on Windows 2000 (following replacing Windows ME w/2000) or Windows XP. would apprecaiate hearing from anyone.
I am really impressed wit the program (either version) and have a number of filles I want to get to.

I use have Lotus Approach 9.7, included in the Lotus Smartsuite package which is still a current product. It runs on XP, 9.6 was said to have had an occassional problem with Crosstab on XP but I never saw it and 9.7 is supposed to be OK anyway. Approach is so much easier than Access for small business data. It is rather like the difference between MS Word and Wordpro. When I write 500 page reports, I prefer MS Word but for ease of use Lotus wins hands down. Lots of IBM users had Smartsuite bundled on their PC's. Even aftert IBM withdrew from selling PC's on the open market, they had 5% of the PC market from Major User deals alone.

I am a Approach to Access conversion guru. I have done numerous data moves and application re-creations. If your firm or organization would like some professional help in this endeavor, let me know.
Aaron

My Approach database is on its knees, it is running so slowly. I am using Lotus Approach SmartSuite 97. It seemed to be fine before I upgraded to Windows 98 (yes I know, I am behind the times!) but now is running so slow it is unworkable with. Has anyone got any advice? I'm thinking of starting again with a new computer and getting Access. In which case I could need your help, Aaron.

This is for Aaron Gregory:

You mentioned that you are proficient in Approach to Access moves. We have a large relational database in Approach and want it to moved to Access, Can you help and let me know your rates.
Please respond to rfazamm@yahoo.com.

Thank you

Hi,

I am currently deciding whether to use Approach vs. Access for my business. I am curious why you decided to switch to Access? Have you had luck finding someone that is able to assist with database management? I found someone that I am currently negotiating with on rentacoder.com.
thanks

Hi, I haved developed a few data bases in Lotus Approch 9.5. Just recently I done a data base for our Vessel's Inventory data base (using Fox Pro) dbase. I just copied the Data bases, created the front end and Lotus Worked like a charm. Using Win XP, P4. No problems, smooth transfer of 8 data bases, no conversion needed. Access is hard to learn, and I don't have the time nor patients to figure it out. I even tried to duplicate the process in Access and I just hated every minute of it. Lotus will get the same result, spend less time doing it. What more can I say. I hope Lotus keeps moving forward in this user friendly Software. I am not an IT person, just a avid Lotus Approach user. The more you use it, the more friendlier it gets, and you will be able to make sense of those complicated data bases. I will give you my email address for advise, don't ask me to do any IT or data base programs. Welcome any comments on the big picture. I'm sure Access users will disagree, but my question is !! why can't they make Access just as user friendlier? bigdoughball2003@hotmail.com

Access is great if you are a database programmer but not if you are just a normal computer user. The great thing with Lotus Approach is that I can import data produced from other databases (some people in my company enter data with Access) and very quickly (minutes) be searching, sorting and producing reports. With Access I have tried a few times to do the same but given up after wasting 30 to 45 minutes. I am not sure of the long term future of Approach and so am looking at Filemaker which is very similar. Anyone experience of this.

Sorry I just found this site. Don't know if anyone still navigates here. But I do have comments and questions.

I have used Approach for 8 years now to run a small business that sells millions of cheap products a year to hundreds of customers to be used on about 200 different construction projects a year. Approach keeps track of inventory, prepares POs and Invoices, keeps track of back orders and POs open, project status, creates the product brochure (w/graphics) as well as serving as a powerful contact manager. (This was put in as an afterthought because all the data was already in with sales and purchases). Plus it is secure. Once completed designing, restricts other employee's edit privileges. We have four people inputting data at the same time.

I did all this without any knowledge of script. All done with macros and stored finds. In about 10 seconds (input time) I can tell you all the firms bidding on a particular construction project, the name and contact info of the chief estimator, prepare a quote, print to *.pdf and send with a form letter personalized for the potential customer. Plus, tell you what projects they won, analyze the winning bidding strategy on projects, what work they still have open, and on and on. In addition I know exactly what percent of market share we have, and what jobs we missed, in order to contact those potential new customers.

My question for the Access guru: what can Access do for me that Approach cannot? If I can do all of this, and more, without having to learn Lotus Script or Visual Basic or C++, why should I use Access, that I have tried many times to figure out, but can't seem to get a handle on it.

By the way, my business app has 27 joined data bases, not counting alias's, 76 views, and countless stored macros and finds. Using 9.8 on Windows 2000. What does MS have to offer other than an opportunity to pay a MSCE certified guru to build an otherwise incomprehensible app for which I will have to pay additional fees each time I want to make a minor change?

Help me out on this.