software projects
Property DB
Our client required a method
for gathering real estate property information from local estate agents. System
was required to enable data entering, network upload and automatic insertion
of new properties into main database used for driving dynamic site content and
enabling online property search.
Client requested that application should be written in Visual Basic to ensure
easy maintenance. Final specification had the following features:
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simplified, maximum user friendly interface for entering all estate
property data
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local database system for storing, browsing and editing information
about properties and agents
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ability to attach images and documents to further describe properties
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ability to enter rich-formatted text (so that formatting can be used
in HTML)
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simple and open format should be used for interfacing between local
agent's database and main site database
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data compression should be used to speed up data transfer over dial-up
connections
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data transfer operation must be simple, with easy configuration and
minimum client intervention
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logging system must be implemented to enable error detection and online
support
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simple and compact installation procedure must be developed to enable
easy application distribution to local estate agents
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Based on this requirements we created Property DB - XML based real-estate
property database system.
Property DB is Visual Basic application for distributed entering and maintenance
of real estate property databases. It is an open system built around XML standard
for property data transfer. System uses local MS Access database for storing
property data, descriptions and information about attached external documents (images
and text files). Application enables easy browsing and editing and can be effectively
used as stand-alone property database system. Local agent can at any time initiate
data upload into the main database over the Internet: data is extracted from
local database into XML file, ZIP archive including XML and all linked documents
is created, dial-up connection is established and compressed data is transferred
(using FTP) into agent's folder on main server. Server-side application then
extracts the data and inserts it into the main database (MS SQL Server).
Property DB has clean, user friendly interface and simple installation procedure
enabling deployment to local real estate agents with minimal IT experience.
Application is very simple and requires minimal configuration. Data transfer
operation is fully automated.
System is built around open standard (XML) and can be easily adjusted to any
server configuration (OS, database, application server). It can also be used
as a complete stand-alone property database system for real estate agent's
day to day operations.
This system meets all our clients requirements. It enabled our client to greatly
speed up the data gathering process and fully automate the flow of information
from local agents to online users.
Technology used: XML, Visual Basic (main application), Visual C++ (compression
and networking functions, implemented in a DLL), MS Access, MS SQL Server, MFC,
ADO, InstallShield
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