Lookup is a simple yet powerful client for searching Microsoft
Access databases.
Lookup 8 Demonstration Video
The key to Lookup is it's simplicity. The simple,
intuitive interface is designed to put the things you need where you can find
them the fastest, and the less menus and buttons the easier it is to learn and
use. Behind this simple interface however are a large number of features
that work to make it easier for you from automatically loading the right
database when you open the program, to automatically sizing the grid so that
your data is displayed clearly. Even our database
includes Australian postcodes.
How fast is it?
While testing I was averaging 3000 results per second with a
maximum of almost 16000.
Originally developed in 1998 for Office 97, Lookup is ideal for
small-medium businesses for product or customer listings. It was developed
for The Pool Clinic (www.poolclinic.com.au)
and the Lookup Suite runs daily on 6-9 clients simultaneously for product and
customer information.
Coming Soon
LOOKUP
8
What's the story with Lookup 8?
Lookup 8 is the result of looking at how people used Lookup 7 and doing the things
it does best even better. Lookup 8 is a major overhaul and upgrade of version 7. I am also implementing
some common components across my range to ensure better more modular coding and
I have simplified licencing.
The current application roadmap is looking at moving to .NET in
2010. This upgrade is a step towards that and was designed to focus the
application on what it does best - querying access databases - and removing the
bugs and improving the usability of the program. Code has been tweaked right
throughout the application to enhance performance and improve
upgradeability. Even more SQL functionality for power users.
When's it due?
Late 2009 - November/December
Current Development Build: 8.0.0.103 14/11/09 (Field
Testing in progress)
So what's different?
Better SQL search capabilities
Compatibility with newer access databases *.accdb
(2007/2010)
Faster, simpler, more powerful and more flexible search
criteria for simple searching
Improved saved searches and last 10 searches functionality
New design, no analog clock or opening hours, more search
results
More configuration on grid colors and performance options.
Improved ability to add files or programs to the program
list and automatically open them in the default program type in windows
Updated menus and Access options
Better configuration file, easier for administrators to
modify, better management for performance and application development.
Plenty of new options. Remembers window location and size.
A new style help file is also on the cards....
Sneak Preview:
NEWS!! - More on Version 8?
See my
news for more information.
LOOKUP 7.3
Lookup is the flagship of my developed software range. It
is a simple yet powerful client for searching Microsoft Access databases.
Lookup in it's latest incarnation is the ideal replacement for the start menu
and can be considered a small business desktop manager. It's 'Other
Programs' menu not only includes links to the most commonly used windows tools
but allows you to add 10 of your most commonly used programs as well.
These programs can be sorted by you and will link to the function keys across
the top of your keyboard (F1-F12) as shortcuts. The program can also
generate in Excel a keyboard strip which you can print and align across your
function keys which will indicate the shortcuts. You will not even need to
move the mouse to launch any of your programs, let alone find your way through
the start menu to your program, saving you time. An open/closed indicator
can tell you when to open and shut the shop doors and you will always have fast
search access to your information at your fingertips. Our database even
comes with the Australian postcode database included.
Version 7 brings a brand new cleaner crisper look to the search bar with more
space for entering search queries. This was done by redesigning the title
area to ensure no grid space was lost and a few new features could be squeezed
in. The new value picklist allows you to either enter a search query or select a
value from the list. The Query Box will reappear to give more room for
complicated queries when using the new SQL MODE which allows you to enter
partial SQL strings into the search browser to undertake more complex searches.
I have simplified and organised the menus and below the clock it will now
identify the current windows user. The progress bar is now more discrete
running across the top of the grid or Query Box box. I have also modified
the grid styles slightly to give a clearer cleaner interface. I have
improved command line access to the program and the kiosk feature is great for
guest users. I have added a much more conventional command line syntax allowing
better control for administrators and more flexibility for interaction with
other programs. As a result you can now use the windows 'Open With...'
function found in the right click menu to open an access database with lookup
and it will not affect your autoload settings. You can now choose from
Tables or Queries from a new picklist to separate them in the top picklist box.
Lookup is now also compatible with Terminal Services allowing users to have
individual settings.
Lookup
Lookup search bar
Search Access Tables & Queries fast (shows number of results and time
taken)
Uses minimal network bandwidth & only when required by caching current
table.
Flexible search functionality including a filter to narrow down the
results of a large search.
Concise menu system with less menus and more features.
Analog clock with date, time, day of week and monthly calendar.
Search logging for analysis or system monitoring (includes results and
time taken).
Auto fit grid spacing will resize the grid to fit your data making it easy
to view all fields and saves resizing columns.
Auto-load function will launch common database automatically for
day-to-day use.
Adjustable grid font size.
Open/Closed indicator which can be customised to your opening hours
(replaces version number on search bar)
Customisable program menu makes it easy to create shortcuts to your other
commonly used applications.
Automatically generated shortcut keyboard strip (requires Excel) which
will line up with the function keys on your keyboard.
Export results to Excel to generate reports.
Automatic Last 10 Searches menu enables you to re-load a previous search,
much like an undo or back function.
Command line switches for network or system administrators to restrict
access to certain features.
Stores history of last 2 opened files.
Can be run off read-only media (CD-ROM, DVD-ROM etc).
Small enough to fit on a floppy disk (remember them?)
Web Check for Updates for all Lookup applications
Dragging and dropping a database on the grid will open a database.
Windows 'Open with..' interaction for access databases (simply choose the
lookup.exe file)
SQL Mode allowing partial sql strings (from WHERE... e.g. [Postcode] like
'2*') for more complicated queries.
Windows username will now appear below clock.
Results count and search time in titlebar for performance monitoring.
Saved Searches menu for saving favourite searches from multiple databases
and retrieving them easily.
Powerful Value box allows pull down retrieval of values, manual value
entry or partial entry which will automatically scroll the pull down list to
appropriate values which can be disabled for performance gain.
Tip of the Day full of useful tips to make the most of the many extra
features of Lookup not often used to their potential.
Clear button to reset multiple filter searches to primary search (not
shown)
Debug feature to view raw search SQL
Table/Query selector based on options
Terminal Services feature allowing individual users of the same computer
(e.g. home computer or terminal server) can have different user settings.
Some new command line functions and a terminal services command line feature
enable security restrictions to be placed on users.
Value list maximum to stop the values list populating (if enabled) more
than a set number of results to improve performance.
Read only data file option to ignore changes.
Integrated Microsoft Help.
Full functional testing undertaken on Vista
And more....
For any Access databases just set the database options to
shared (under Tools>Security in Access) and multiple users can search
simultaneously. Lookup will open, load and search faster than is possible
within Microsoft Access.
Lookup is very flexible in it's design, capabilities and use
and the following illustrations demonstrate how the Lookup database can be
connected to multiple sources and how Lookup can be configured in multiple ways
for a small business network.
Lookup Database
Design
Lookup Network
Design
Click for full image to
open in a new window
Lookup comes with an Access 2000 database which includes forms
to enable easy import/export of data from a range of sources including SQL
servers or MYOB. This means Items and Customers can be searched through
Lookup without users needing to access multiple applications. This gives
staff fast database searching on a large number of machines simultaneously
without slowing down the network, as too many Access users can do with a large
data file. Multiple windows of Lookup can be open simultaneously on each
users machine for different databases or tables.
Each version of Lookup is built to suit changes recommended by
clients or staff.
Modifications can be made to suit your requirements including customisation.
REQUIREMENTS -
7.3
Windows 95/98/ME/NT/2000 (to SP3):
Microsoft Office (Office 97 or later)
MDAC 2.5 -
http://www.microsoft.com/data/
(installed with Office 2000 or later)
Windows 2000(SP4)/XP/VISTA: RECOMMENDED Microsoft Office (Office XP or later) No components required.
REQUIREMENTS -
8
Microsoft Windows XP/Vista/7
Microsoft Office 2000/2002/2003/2007/2010
DOWNLOAD - 7.3
This is the complete version of Lookup. Without a licence some features
will be disabled and you will be restricted to 10 searches per session.
This installation package includes Lookup,
Lookup Launcher and
Lookup Browser.
Lookup 7
This will automatically choose the best mirror to
download from (file information on all mirror sites).
On purchase of a licence you will be given a key code via email which will
enable you to unlock the other features of the program.
As a special offer in lead up to version 8 I
have reduced licencing costs!!
Purchase online with PayPal, Visa or MasterCard
SPECIAL OFFER!!!
Lookup
Licence
unlimited Licence
$AU14.95
Licence Terms and Conditions: Purchasing a Lookup licence entitles you to use this application on any computers and operating systems owned or licenced to the purchasee. It does not entitle the purchasee to use the licence on other machines or to distribute
the software to any friends, colleagues or associates to use on machines and operating systems not owned or licenced to the purchasee. In the event a licence is discovered that has broken these conditions the purchasee is liable to prosecution
and that licence code will be blocked from all future versions of Lookup. Be
fair guys, it is cheap! Licences can be purchased by individuals and
organisations.
Lookup Browser is a simple browser for quickly and easily
searching the web or an intranet.
It has a simple menu with preset shortcuts and is designed to be quick,
easy to use and for fast searching where a full-featured browser is not
required.
Lookup Browser utilises the functionality of Internet Explorer
and I recommend using it with IE 5.5 or later.
