Keep lead DB up to date

[theNOTO]

I currently have an Access DB that sits out on a lead entry site where lead generation companies enter leads.

I then have a master lead DB here on a local server.

I have a script set up to ftp and copy down the leads and append them to the master list. I did have this script on a timer but it locks the remote DB and new leads can not be entered.

Does anyone have a more elegant solution to this problem? Being able to have the leads in the master DB as quickly as possible is the main concern, I could even have the lead companies send emails to a specified address if I could figure out a way to append those to the local DB.

 

[shaggz]

Can your script make a copy of the database file and then ftp the copy? That should keep the original database file free.

In my experiences, access DBs are a pain in the ass when it comes to locking issues.

 

[WebAddict]

Is PHP/MySQL an option for you? This could open up many possibilities. Is there a reason you need a local database? You could essentially set up your site database to hold ALL leads and then use a script to email you an .xls file of recent leads at certain intervals.

You could take this file and do whatever you want with it. Load it into a local database or crunch some stats.

 

[theNOTO]

MySQL is a definite option, I'm just trying to figure out how to automate getting the leads into the local Access (perhaps SQL in the near future) DB.

 

[indicas]

SQL can do all that....

 

[theNOTO]

Any recommended sites/resources for the SQL stuff?