InfoPath Dev

Over the last few weeks I have been thinking about the change request process in the company I am currently working in.

 Scenario:

1. Everyone has some form of infoPath (with Office 2003 and Professional Plus 2010).

2. Change requests are done manually (i.e. download a Word template from the intranet)

3. This is filled out with pen, signed, and scanned.

4. change request process is input into a ticket system

5. Work accomplished

6. Form updated and ticket closed.

I have been thinking that this could be posted to the intranet. Maybe infoPath could be used to collect data, but the problem is that we do not use sharepoint.

My first question is if this process can be done as I think without sharepoint. The second question is what is my next step other than creating the form? I do not know if the information needs to go into a database or can a pdf be created to be archived.  

Thanks for your help and time,

Michael

Hi:

You can still use InfoPath to collect the data -- you'll just need to either base your form off a database if you want the data in a DB (or you can buy or build a web service for putting your data in a DB -- we sell an awesome one). Or, if you don't need the data in a DB, your users can save the XML to a network share, for example.

Looking at your workflow, what I'd probably target is step 4 -- Now, don't get me wrong, I tend to think that any process that begins with a Word template and involves a pen is in need of a great deal of help, but I'd focus on that step where the data needs to go to the ticket system. How does it get there now? I'm betting someone takes those lovely hand written Word forms and the data gets typed in someplace.... am I right?

So, if your process can find a way to allow your users to directly input the data into the change request system, you cut out a lot of room for error.

What is your ticket system? What kind of database does it use?