Most database projects can be created using the basic commands in Access. VBA training however, gives you the tools to add powerful features to your database to make it even more useful.

VBA (Visual Basic for Applications) is a computer language included with all Microsoft Office applications. If you have ever recorded a macro, then you have used VBA. The power of macros lies beyond simple recording of repetitive actions. By delving into the programming code you can add your own database commands and extend the functionality of the application.

Let's look at a few examples of what Access VBA training can add.

Smart Data Entry

Access allows you to indicate that fields should be numbers, strings, dates, and so on. For example, one common mistake that new users make is to define a phone number field as numeric. After all it's made of numbers, right?

Actually, numeric fields should be limited only to values that will be used in mathematical operations. You'll never add or multiply a phone number, so it is actually a string that happens to be composed of numbers.

However, phone numbers often involve symbols as well. A data entry operator might enter spaces, dashes, or parenthesis which could complicate actions such as pulling phone numbers within a certain area code.

This issue can be addressed using Access VBA. Training courses can illustrate how to add a few instructions to a data entry field to strip all non-numeric data and store just the basic phone number. It can add sanity checks, such as verifying that the area code matches the city in the address or ensuring there are enough digits for it to be a valid telephone number.

Automatic Record Sorting

Access defaults to listing records in the order they were entered. These lists can be easily sorted but sometimes it would be nice if the records were sorted automatically. If you always want to see your customers sorted alphabetically by last name, it would be nice to have that happen every time you pull up the customer list rather than having to do it explicitly every time.

Access VBA training demonstrates how to tie commands to events such as the opening of a form. By creating an event subroutine, you could tell the form to sort the customers by name every time it is opened. The list could still be sorted manually by other columns such as city, but will default to sort by last name.

Access VBA Training Improves Efficiency

An Access VBA training course provides a wealth of tools that will make your databases easier to use, less prone to errors, and capable of more powerful data analysis. The time invested will pay off in improved productivity.

The advantage of a course over self-training is that often the instructor will tell you about features you might not realize even existed. It is hard to teach yourself about something if you don't know it is possible. An Access VBA training course taught by a Microsoft-certified instructor is the quickest path to VBA proficiency.

CCTV stands for closed circuit television. It is a system where the circuit is closed and all the elements are linked. This is different from broadcast T.V. where tuners pick up the signals from the airwaves. For purposes of this article, linked means connected by wiring, microwave, infrared, etc.

What's It Used For?

The most obvious and common use for CCTV is for security. This type of installation is used in a variety of locations such as stores, banks, and government buildings. However, there are so many other uses. It can be used for monitoring traffic. It is used in sports stadiums to focus on the audience. It can be hidden in trains and buses to detect vandalism. It can be used to monitor animals in a zoo. It can even be used to reproduce infrared vision. The applications are almost limitless.

What's In It?

It all starts with the camera. This creates the picture that is transmitted to the control area. Most CCTV cameras are not fitted with lenses. They must be obtained separately and screwed on. There is a standard screw thread although there are different mounts. Not all lenses have focus adjustment. Most have iris adjustment. Some wide angle lenses do not have a focus ring. There is a BNC jack for connecting the video cable. In the case of line powered cameras, this coaxial cable also provides power. The monitor is what receives the signal that the camera creates. A CCTV monitor is similar to a television set but it does not have tuning circuits.

Simple CCTV systems consist of a camera connected to a monitor with coaxial cable. This cable also carries the power needed for the camera. This is called a line powered camera. The Pye Observation System was such a system and was popular during the early days of CCTV. It was affordable and could be set up with a minimum of difficulty. The next big step in the technology was allowing for four cameras to be connected to the monitor simultaneously. The view could be programmed to cycle through the available cameras or go to a particular camera chosen by the user.

Record For Posterity

Another big advance was when footage could be recorded and stored. The footage would be played back according to the viewing cycle the user chose. Once the footage is recorded, it cannot be changed to go to a different camera. The next step would be cameras that were able move and swivel. Simple platforms that move on a horizontal plane are called scanners. If a platform moves on both vertical and horizontal units it is called a pan, tilt unit.

The concept of CCTV is simple enough to understand. It is the application of such technology that still holds many undiscovered gems. Such a simple concept can be tapped for its limitless potential. And for the end user, it can serve as a great tool to accomplish many different things. In the end, that is the most important thing.

CCTV surveillance is getting the flak from some circles that are not sold to the idea that surveillance in public places can deter crime but instead infringes on the privacy of individuals. Indeed, there is some truth to it, but it's time to admit, though, that the surveillance systems in public places in private homes and businesses are deterring crime.

CCTV Surveillance

One of the benefits of the modern facilities surveillance is the security provided by banks for the ATM outlets. Anybody withdrawing cash from the ATM are automatically swept by the surveillance cameras and the images are instantly flashed on the screens of the closed circuit TVs with the time and date.

The murderer of the college coed was immediately identified when he withdrew money from the dead girl's account. His face was vividly captured by the camera and shown on the CCTV, making the manhunt easier and accurate.

Had there been no surveillance cameras, the murderer would have remained faceless and the solution of the crime neither here or there. True, there was no way the crime could have been prevented, but isn't it a consolation to know that the murderer can be hunted down without delay?

There shouldn't be any reason why you should shrug off the potential of security surveillance in your workplace. Fortunately, you can start with one camera, recorder, and PC to set up your home and business security system, and upgrade to more camera units to have more areas under scrutiny of the tireless cameras that can run 24/7.

How it Works

The Closed Circuit Television or CCTV displays the images captured by the cameras. The wide screened TVs should be compatible with the cameras used for the purpose. This surveillance system is the popular choice of banks, hospitals, military, and in environments unsafe for humans (industrial processing).

Unlike your average TV, the images displayed on the surveillance system using CCTV are not broadcast publicly but are limited to the exclusive use of the establishment. The images are reviewed when there are suspicions of unauthorized entry, withdrawals, and monitoring of previous processes as industrial manufacturing.

When installing this security system, you will need a digital video recorder, cameras, and accessories for both indoor and outdoor applications, monitors, and control equipments. Accessories will include domes, mounts, and sensing devices, to mention just a few.

CCTV can be easily integrated into other security systems such as your existing digital or analogue hardware, access control, and fire systems. Since it can be remotely managed or controlled, the system is ideal for monitoring livestock, visitors, industrial processes, hospital patients, and students taking examinations.

Appropriate Setups

For small shops, bars, or banks, a 4-camera internal system is effective. For bigger establishments, you might require more cameras. Determine your needs before putting up a system. Whether you need both indoor and outdoor, or just one type of surveillance system, you will need professional experts to install it.

Specify if you need reactive or proactive remote monitoring. In proactive monitoring, you'll need the installation of motion detection that sends alarms to the monitoring center. For proactive monitoring, install the security cameras in full view of workers and customers.

Your CCTV system is just what you need to check on cheats, crooks, malingerers, and even criminals. Don't you feel better knowing that you can always check on your business and the safety of your home and family? This is better than guessing hard and missing the mark.

CCTV systems are closed circuit television systems. These are systems where the circuit is closed and all the elements are linked. CCTV systems seem to be a wonderful thing for security and threat detection. However they are not a magical cure-all. CCTV systems should be seen as components of an integrated security approach.

Define Your Situation

The best way to do this is to determine the purpose of browsing through available CCTV systems. Do you want to stop vandalism? Do you want to prevent theft? Do you want to monitor potential crime areas at night? This is an endless list and only you will know the reasons. Once you determine the problem, consider other solutions aside from CCTV systems. Will better lighting be a deterrent? Will more barriers prevent trespassers? Will an alarm or guards be necessary? Again, all these questions are best answered by you.

You can then shortlist the potential solutions by writing out their respective pros and cons. A lot of the times, you will end up with the need for multiple solutions. If CCTV systems are one of them, then you should certainly look at what is currently on the market.

Plan It Out

The first thing is to determine the basic system layout. You can do it yourself or have someone else do it. The important thing is that someone who is knowledgeable about the area and purpose of the system be involved. You can outsource the task to professionals but this will cost more. But if you are uncomfortable with the detailed work involve, taking that route is advised.

Next, describe the system. It should be brief but very accurate. After the description, write out how it will be operated. The next item would be a list of camera locations and mounting specifications. All these details can be further broken down into heading and sub-headings. It will all depend on the complexity of your planned set-up.

Checking It Twice

Once you have this checklist done, contact some vendors. Explain your needs and send them a copy of your plan. Have them suggest some options for you within your financial range. There should be a lot of options for you. Make sure you explain your needs very well. Do not be afraid to ask questions if something is not clear to you. After all the options are in, shortlist them further so you can make a decision among a few choices. You do not want to be overwhelmed by so many items and variables. You will make a better shopping decision if you narrow down your choices.

CCTV systems address certain types of needs. Make sure those are your needs when you consider CCTV. Do not waste all that effort only to find out you need a solution other than CCTV. CCTV is not a magic pill. It will not solve all your problems. However, it will solve the problems that it was designed for. So the best thing is to make sure you understand your problem.

CCTV stands for closed circuit television. It is a surveillance technology used for monitoring locations and activities. CCTV systems usually have a dedicated link between cameras and monitors. The use of such systems has grown and become more prevalent in recent times. Tremendous amounts are being invested in CCTV as a leading tool in the fight against crime and terror.

Home Security

This growth is destined to extend into the homes of private citizens. In a time of growing domestic violence, the installation of CCTV can be a big help. The collection of videotape evidence greatly helps any court case. The technology is also used in hospitals for keeping tabs on health professionals who are suspected of abusing their patients.

That is the great thing about CCTV. Its capabilities are constantly being extended. Though their main purpose is to detect and prevent crime, CCTV systems have now been pressed into service to monitor littering, traffic violations, and loitering. Even underage smoking and drinking have sometimes become the focus of some CCTV systems. Other innovations are also being discovered. CCTV systems can help in the observation of body language. This in turn can yield information about drug or alcohol usage in a subject. One can say that CCTV is an invaluable tool in keeping the public order.

That is probably why it is becoming an integral part of public policy as well. Law enforcement personnel as well as politicians are endorsing it as a cost-effective way to enhance security methods. Its impact on the law enforcement is greater than that of any other technology initiative in recent years.

CCTV also has great public acceptance. There may be some people who oppose it but the general public seems to agree that the technology makes them feel safer. It has become a symbol of security and feeling better about the world at large. Critics of CCTV are often seen as rabid radicals.

Technology Behind The Lens

A modern CCTV system consists of cameras with pan, tilt and zoom capabilities. These cameras are operated remotely from a central control room. A lot of other sophisticated technologies are integrated into these systems. These include night vision, computer assisted operations, motion detection and even face recognition. The camera casings are also usually bullet-proof and have automated defense mechanisms in case of someone trying to damage them.

The clarity of the images recorded by CCTV is often excellent. That is why CCTV footage is very valuable in a court case. These systems can spot a deck of cards from a hundred meters away. Most of these systems can work in very low light conditions and bring the images up to daylight level.

CCTV is not magic. It is merely the application of several technologies for a specific purpose. Generally that purpose is to enhance security for a particular area. Being so cost-effective, it is not a wonder that its acceptance level is very high among members of the general public. And one can only expect that acceptance to grow as time passes by.