ERD for Sales Database

[J_Massey]

Can anyone tell me if this Entity Relationship Diagram makes sense or is valid? All of the ERDs I have seen are not connected in a “circular” fashion like this one, but it seems logical to set it up this way. It certainly resolves all the “one to many” relationships.

 

This is a database for a salesperson who represents several different lines of products and calls on many customers (stores). At each customer meeting she needs to directly enter orders for various vendors products AND after the meeting she needs to write a report with notes linked to each of the vendors she represents so that vendor-specific reports can be generated.

 

So linking the Vendor to each “Sales Report ”and to each “Order” (through Product and Order Line) is essential.

[David Head]

Looks OK to me. Just remember that the FileMaker relationship graph is not an ERD so you will not (and do not want to) reproduce your ERD there.

[J_Massey]

Thanks, I do get the difference between an entity relationship diagram and the Filemaker Relationship Graph, but why do you say I should NOT reproduce the ERD there? In FileMaker, I usually start by setting up a table for each box on the diagram with matchfields corresponding to the one-to-many indicators. Once I do that and make the connections in the FileMaker Relationship Graph I have what looks like a replica of my ERD. It will however evolve into a much more complicated graph as I continue building additional relationships.

 

If the ERD is not at least a rough guide for the initial setup in the FileMaker Relationship Graph then what good is it?

[David Head]

I don't really want to preach here but you have identified exactly what the problem is with starting with a replica of an ERD and then having it "evolve into a much more complicated graph". You end up with a octopus that is impossible to manage.

 

The ERD is invaluable in understanding the relationships between your tables. However, it has no place in the relationship graph - only as a reference for what connects to what.

 

Have a search for information on the Anchor-Buoy approach. Try www.kevinfrank.com as a starting point.