Lookup

Lookup is a simple yet powerful client for searching Microsoft Access databases

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 alerting you to opening and closing times, to automatically sizing the grid so that your data is displayed clearly.  Even our database comes setup for easy importing of data from other sources and includes Australian postcodes.

Lookup Launcher and Lookup Browser are my two new additions to the Suite and were designed to complement Lookup as useful small business tools.  You will never need to use the start menu again!!  The Browser and Launcher programs follow the simplistic ethos being tiny programs that run fast, and have only the features that are necessary.  Lookup Launcher provides a system tray menu that brings the three programs together.  Lookup Launcher can check for updates for all Lookup programs.

Originally developed in 1998 for Office 97, Lookup is ideal for small-medium businesses for product or customer listings.  It was developed originally for The Pool Clinic (http://www.poolclinic.com.au) and the Lookup Suite runs daily on 6-9 clients simultaneously for product and customer 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

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.

 

DOWNLOAD

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).

Download MediaCentre

Download.com Mirror Alternative Download
 

Lookup is supported by:

Download.com Freeware & Shareware Downloads
http://www.softwarefeast.com/ Games, Audio Video Software, Screensavers, Graphics & Image Tools, Internet and file utilities and much more.
http://www.newfreedownloads.com/ Free Software Downloads
www.ebookslibrary.com EBooksLibrary.com - Free and quality commercial ebooks
www.down64.com
www.freedownload7.com
www.download-max.com Download-MAX.com - collection of shareware, freeware and games
www.soft32.com



BUY LOOKUP
Lookup now includes Lookup Licencing enabling me to distribute the complete software with functions disabled.
On purchase of a licence you will be given a key which will enable you to unlock the other features.

 $AU9.95 per machine licence

$AU49.95 per unlimited licence
Purchase online with PayPal, Visa or MasterCard


For more information and to purchase a licence:

Lookup Licencing
 

Contact me for more information, bugs or comments

Contact Christian

LOOKUP HELP

Comes with Lookup

For a more detailed look at how Lookup works or to find out how to user Lookup Launcher and Lookup Browser.

FILE: http://imagemen.hypermart.net/software/Lookup.chm For XP/Vista 26/01/08

 

LOOKUP BROWSER FREE

Comes with Lookup

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.

Lookup Browser

Includes check for updates. 

NEW - Editable Search Engine List, Progress Bar, Internet Options, Print.

Pull down menu of search engines.  Engine list can be edited, refreshed or updated at any time. 
Download the latest search engine file (engines.dat) from below and save it in the same folder as the application.
Australian, US and UK search engines included.

To integrate with other Lookup applications the files must be in the same folder.

FILE: http://imagemen.hypermart.net/software/browser.exe For XP/Vista (92 Kb) v1.2.28 26/01/08
 FILE: http://imagemen.hypermart.net/software/engines.dat For XP/Vista (3 Kb) 26/01/05