InfoPath Dev

I am new to collecting data. In the past, I simply submitted to an XML file and formatted it with an XSL. However, I have a project where I will have 20 employees submit a travel report each week with attached receipts. There is no central database, but I can run one on my own laptop. So, my question is: What is the best way to gather the data? I was thinking about having the form submit via email to me, then I would import into my DB. But is that the best way? Thanks, Bret

Hi Bret-

The "best" way really depends on what's available, i.e.

Do you have SharePoint available? (If there's no central DB, then assume there's no SharePoint either)
Do the users have InfoPath or will they need to fill out the form in the browser? (if there's no SharePoint, then we assume no browser forms - which means all users have InfoPath)
Do you have a budget to purchase a third party tool, or would you be able to write your own code (or your own web service)? (let's assume no for now)

You could certainly have users work via email; you could try something like this:

http://www.infopathdev.com/blogs/mel_balsamo/archive/2009/05/18/using-e-mail-forms-to-communicate-with-external-users.aspx

Actually, I do have access to sharepoint. However, I don't want everyone to see everyone else's travel reports. Can sharepoint be used like a DB?

Also, I "might" have access to a shared DB, but I would have to jump through some hoops to get there.

Everyone should have infopath, but I was hoping to send the form via email and submit via email.

No budget whatsoever.

 

Thanks

If you have a SQL DB, you can design your tables and then design a form based on those tables. Users then submit directly to SQL.

You can submit the forms to a SharePoint form library and control access via SharePoint permissions, but you'd still need to send that data to SQL (which would involve, perhaps, a web service).

Here's another link re: email forms:

http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/infopath-help/use-infopath-e-mail-forms-in-outlook-HA010164549.aspx

Here's a previous discussion re: Outlook integration:

http://www.infopathdev.com/forums/t/12207.aspx