What is Database Oasis?

Database Oasis is just about anything you want it to be. In the simplest terms, it's software that allows non-technical people to create their own applications to store and work with data.

What would you use it for?

Everybody has information that they need to store. Home users may need to track address and phone number lists, recipes, children's medical records, household inventory for your homeowner's insurance, catalogs of collectables, etc.

Business uses may need to track inventory, client lists, customer payment history, contact history, analysis of marketing or promotional programs, sales or service history, industry specific information, etc. The Professional Edition report designer can also be laid out to match forms so you can print to a form instead of using a typewriter.

How does it work?

You start with a blank screen. There is a simple toolbox of objects that you can add to the display, such as fields, check boxes, text, and picture holders. You just point and click to place these objects anywhere on the screen that you want. You can customize the look of your display by changing the colors and fonts. Once you're done, you're ready to start entering your data in the fields you added.

Click here for a quick demonstration of setting up a data display and working with your data.

Why do you call the databases "Displays"?

All of the displays in Database Oasis are stored in a single database, so to call them databases is not technically accurate.  They display the data in your database, so we settled on calling them Displays. 

What documentation comes with Database Oasis?

When working in Database Oasis, you can press F1 from any screen to access context-sensitive help. This type of help will tell you about the current area of the software with which you're working. There is also a more detailed help file that can be accessed from the Help menu in the software. This gives step-by-step instructions to help you use the software. This same information is also available on our website as a .pdf manual that can be downloaded or printed.

What is the difference between Basic Edition and Professional Edition?

In software, there is a tradeoff between simplicity and functionality - the more it does, the more complicated it is.  Database Oasis is designed to be simple, but there is some functionality that many users may need that requires a certain level of complexity.  In order to provide this functionality, without complicating the interface for people who just need the basics, we offer two products: Basic Edition and Professional Edition.

In practical terms, the main difference between the two is that Professional Edition allows more than one user on a local area network to share data (click here for details). 

Professional Edition also offers a custom report designer, advanced filtering, and file links.  View the Professional Edition details page for more information on these features.

If I only have one computer, can I still purchase Professional Edition for the other features, without having to use the client functionality?

There's a feature I need that I don't see in the trail. Should I buy the software to see if it becomes available?

All of the features and functionality of Database Oasis are available in the trial. If there is functionality that you need that's not available in the trial, please contact us at Sales@DatabaseOasis.com. We'll let you know if there is some way to accomplish what you're trying to do, or if not, whether the feature is planned for an upcoming release.

If I enter data during the trial, will it be available after I purchase?

Yes. When you download a trial of Database Oasis, you are able to use it for free for 15 days. After that time period, you will no longer be able to access the software without purchasing a license key. Entering the license key removes the time limit. Any displays you've created or data you've entered are immediately available. 

Is there a number I can call for Support?

In order to continue to offer free technical support to our customers, it is limited to e-mail. We do answer e-mails promptly and will work with you until your issue is resolved. In rare circumstances, we may not be able to resolve an issue via e-mail. In that case, the support technician will arrange a phone call, usually with a remote session so we can walk through the issue together. This option is provided at the discretion of the technician.

How often to you provide upgrades and how much do they cost?

We generally have a new release at least once a year. We may also offer smaller interim releases throughout the year. Many of the upgrades are offered at no charge. The charge for major upgrades varies depending on the extent of the changes. They are always less than the cost of a new license.

If you have recently purchased the software just prior to a release, contact sales@databaseoasis.com to find out if you are eligible for a free upgrade.

What file formats to you support for import and export?

You can import data in any delimited format, including .txt and .csv, as well as Excel spreadsheets. You can export data to any delimited format.  We also offer direct printing of reports to .pdf, HTML, Excel, Rich Text and a variety of Graphic formats.

Is it possible to extend the free trial beyond 15 days?

Absolutely. Just send us an e-mail at sales@databaseoasis.com with a request for a trial extension and we'll be happy to give you another 15 days.

I'm getting a message that Database Oasis can't connect to the database. What does this mean?

In versions 2.7 and earlier of the software, Database Oasis used a Microsoft SQL database to store the data. The SQL database uses a server to allow communication between the software and the database. When Database Oasis wants to read or write to the database, it sends a message through the SQL server. If it can't access the server, you'll receive a message that it can't connect to the database. There are two things to check if this message comes up.

The first thing to look at is to make sure your firewall isn't blocking communication between Database Oasis and the server. (Even though the messages to the SQL server are happening locally on your computer and not going out over the Internet, some firewall software still blocks them.) You will need to configure your firewall so that Database Oasis is not blocked. If you're hitting this issue and you need help setting up your firewall, send an e-mail to Support@DatabaseOasis.com.

The second thing to check is to make sure the server is running. To do this, click on the Start button on your Windows task bar and select the Settings option. From the Settings menu, select Control Panel. This will open up a window with a number of icons. Find the one that says Administrative Tools and double click on it. This will open a second window with icons. Double click on the one that says Services. This will open up another window with a list of services in the right hand pane. If you are using Database Oasis version 2.5 or earlier, locate the service that says MSSQL$DBOASIS_MSDE. If you are using version 2.6 or later, locate the service that says SQL SERVER (DBOASIS). Double click on the appropriate service. This will open a Properties screen with a Startup Type field. Make sure this is set to Automatic. Below this is a line that reads Service status. If the Service status is Stopped, click the Start button. Click OK to close this window. Again, if you need help with this, please send an e-mail to Support@DatabaseOasis.com and we will be happy to walk you through it.

Starting in version 2.8, we have changed our database to avoid these issues. Click here for more information.

What are templates?

When you work with Database Oasis, you create what's called a Data Display. This consists of the fields to contain the information you want to work with displayed on a form. Once you've created a Data Display, you can make it available as a template. If you need a Data Display that's similar to one that already exists, you don't have to start from scratch.

We've also worked with people in different industries, as well as home users, to determine what data they need to see. We've pre-designed templates that fit those needs and have made them available with the product.

Does this product replace my spreadsheet software?

It depends on what you're using a spreadsheet for. Spreadsheets are designed to deal with lists of data. They're very useful, for example, if you need to sum a column of numbers. Spreadsheets are still the best tool for the functionality they were designed to perform.

Many people, however, end up using their spreadsheet as a database because it's currently the only tool they have to store their data. Spreadsheets can be cumbersome when you're dealing with individual records and may not provide all of the functionality you need. In this case, Database Oasis is a much better option. It can save you time, frustration, and ultimately give you a much better view of your data.

When would I use Database Oasis and when would I use an application designed for my industry or specific data requirement?

Database Oasis provides a lot of flexibility in storing and working with data. With a little bit of imagination, it can be configured to handle most of your data needs. And with custom programming available, you can build an application to your exact specifications. Best of all, it's not just a single solution. The big problem with software that's designed for a specific purpose is that's all it does. If you have another requirement, you have to purchase another software application to handle it. In addition, the available options may be big, expensive applications with a lot of bells and whistles, when you only need a fraction of the functionality.

That said, you should weigh the complexity of any existing software when making a decision. If there is an existing application that exactly handles your needs with functionality that would be difficult or cost prohibitive to replicate, that product might be a better choice.

What's the difference between Database Oasis and other database creation products on the market?

Many database creation products assume a certain technical comfort level. They often require a familiarity with things like SQL statements, functions, expression builders, and the like. There are a lot of people who need a data storage product, but don't have the time or inclination to face the learning curve required to use these applications. Database Oasis was designed for people who want to be able to simply and quickly create their own data interface, regardless of their technical level.

And even technical people will appreciate the time and money they can save with a tool that was designed to be the quickest, easiest solution available.

What customization options do you offer?

If you have a requirement that isn't accommodated by the software natively, we can work with you to develop a custom implementation. For example, some users have requested additional fields that provide advanced calculations.

Are there customization requests you won't take?

Yes. For example, we would never take on a request to duplicate the functionality of an accounting application. There are a lot of reasonably priced applications on the market that already have the specialized knowledge required to comply with tax and other laws built in.

When we receive a request for customization, we will work with you to understand the scope of the project and provide an estimate of time and costs. At that time, we can work together to determine if it makes sense for you to use our services. We only want happy customers, so we're committed to acting in your best interests when it comes to customization options.