Master Seriessm

Master Series on Forms Management Databases
Price for four session series:  $320 for members, $385 for non-members
Price for individual session:  $89 for members; $109 for non-members

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Session 1: September 18, 2008 Planning a Forms Management Database Presented by Susan E. Cook, CFSP, Premera Blue Cross A forms management database is a critical tool for streamlining the huge amounts of data involved in managing a large number of forms and for coordinating the workflow and ordering processes involved in keeping those forms up to date.  Learn the basics of database structure and capability and discover what data you can capture and manipulate to help your department run more smoothly.

Session 2: September 25, 2008 Forms Management Database 101 Presented by Susan E. Cook, CFSP, Premera Blue Cross Still using spreadsheets or manual tracking tools for your Forms Management data?  Are you afraid to take that first step to convert to a simple database?  Using Microsoft Access as an easily obtainable tool, explore the difference between a spreadsheet and a simple relational database.  In this class, we build a sample database using data specific to the Forms Management structure.  You will learn how to create a basic model for your database, set up your tables, create “many-to-one” and “one-to-one” relationships, and create your first input form.  See how the input data posts to the tables.  Attendees receive a packet of recommended fields for a startup FM database, standards for naming conventions, and a step-by-step exercise to create your first database on your own time.

Session 3: October 2, 2008 Forms Management Database 201 Presented by Susan E. Cook, CFSP, Premera Blue Cross Are you working with an inherited Forms Management database?  Are you developing or managing a Microsoft Access database for your Forms Management requirements?  This session will cover features such as what to do with an inherited database:  how to create queries and reports to provide the data that justifies the existence of the Forms Management structure; what data output options such as Excel or the use of InfoPath will allow your management to pull their own reports on demand.  Participants will view an advanced Forms Management database to see what options are available when designing your system.  We will work with standard Microsoft tools that do not require large budgets to acquire.

Session 4: October 9, 2008 Making Your Database Work Harder Presented by Jana Faust, Administaff So now you have a forms management database.  You have defined the fields, built the tables, established relationships and designed queries and reports.  It tracks your information but you wish it had more functionality and could do more of the work for you.  This session will cover the tricks to turning your simple database into an easy to use marvel:  how to use the power of subforms to easily keep your relationships straight and still view multiple records; how to use look-up tables and combo boxes (drop-down fields) to navigate across screens and tables; how to overcome the problems of too many fields to fit on a screen; how to track parent forms and their related children; how to track forms distributed via multiple media and/or grouped into packets like a new hire booklet.  These are all things that will turn your database from everyday “business casual” to a high powered “business suit.”

Biographies Instructor Susan E. Cook, CFSP, currently is a systems administrator and developer of forms management systems at Permera BlueCross.  She has broad background in business and systems analysis, as well as extensive experience in print manufacturing and warehousing.  She spent 7 years as an independent consultant working with large organizations to analyze business flow and develop and test processes for systems improvements.  Prior to that, Ms. Cook was the operations manager for a large business forms manufacturing and sales company.  She developed, implemented and maintained the national forms management division specializing in systems integration, implementation and inventory management.  You may contact her at susie.cook@premera.com. Instructor Jana Faust was introduced to the world of forms design and administration more than three years ago.  She compares tracking form changes to keeping up with Texas weather.  “If you don’t like it now, just wait 15 minutes…it’ll change.”  She currently works for Administaff, a professional employer organization near Houston, where she programs the content/forms management database.  She also manages the pre-populated new hire forms project.  She enjoys tackling challenges and finding ways to improve processes with technology.  You may contact her at jana_faust@administaff.com.