InfoPath Dev

I have never used Infopath 2003 until last week.   I've created a simple application that I want to use for contractors to sign into when they visit our factory.  The form has a drop-down list of contracting companies, another drop-down with names of the employee that the contractor is visting, plus a signature field (using an Interlink ePad) and the date.

 I've created the form and it works.  But I don't know how to collect the data.  I created an Access database and created a form to populate it via a Submit button.  However, Access wouldn't accept the signature data.  Ideally, I'd like a button that the contractor would click after he filled out the fields and signed.  The button would clear the form and send the data to a spreadsheet.  Or it could save the entire form to a network folder.  If it does that, I would want the form to be named automatically (probably with a timestamp).  Obviously I don't want the contractor to have fill in his own file name.

 I'm not a programmer (I'm a network administrator) so maybe I'm not even using the right product.  Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks

Welcome to the world of InfoPath :)

Default DB functionality will not accept large file types like the signature.

You need a web server and then you can setup a submit data connection, create a naming convention form the form data, and each form will be uniquely named as you want. Contractor company-name-timestamp or something.

You have kind of two options.

Setup a simple web server if you do not have SharePoint to submit forms to.

The drawback is when they are all individual xml files you cannot do reporting and analysis of the data.

If you like InfoPath and have other areas you could use electronic forms, such as help desk requests, HR forms, plant documentation etc. Then I would recommend a little investment in your backend resources so that you could really have a great foundation to build upon.

I would look at putting a SQL database in, if you do not already, and purchasing an installable package of webservices. (www.qdabra.com).  This will give you the ability to database all of your data, even large file types, and be able to report via web reports or Excel on the data. It also includes Active Directory integration for identifying the form user or their manager for workflow, and the ability to query data from databases.  This is perfect for an admin like you since it also does not require code or complexity. You can be a hero pretty easily.

Sorry for taking so long to get back to you.  I was out of the office for a couple of weeks and playing catch up when I got back. 

Thanks for the suggestions.  I think I'll attempt to set up a simple web server to see how it all works and then go from there.