automatically setting a custom field

[1stright]

How can I do the following?

I want to have a field called "state type" that automatically assigns one of 15 different values to a record based on the value input in the state field. It cant' be static because the contact might move so it has to change when the value in the state field changes. In Filemaker it's called a "lookup field" that simply looks up the appropriate value from a related table. How does CiviCRM do that?

[joanne]

I think "with a hook", however if you don't know your mySQL or PHP version you will probably need someone to do it for you as it involves coding.

[1stright]

I know I need a programmer to do it. My consultant tells me it will take 8-10 hours to accomplish. In Filemaker I could do it in about 5 minutes. I'm trying to figure out if my consultant knows what she's talking about.

[Donald Lobo]

Comparing filemaker and civicrm directly might be an exercise in futility since they address two very different problems.

While 8-10 hours is a bit excessive for that one very specific thing, i would still budget 2-4 hours. In general people start extending things and the scope of the work that needs to be done and hence the consultant might be giving a slightly larger estimate.

If you are in the bay area, would be great for u'll to come to CiviCon and/or the trainings. There might be simpler ways for you to accomplish your goals

lobo