Help with best practice for loading data

Hello!

I am new to VB.NET... trying to convert all my VB6 programs and am trying to update them in the process.

I have a program that is mostly used as an interface to our main accounting system. It pulls data to view and create reports. I have a couple combo boxes that need to populate from the database for selection in the program. My thought is to somehow pull the information in at the start of the program and keep it in a table somewhere so I can just load the comboboxes from the stored data. It doesn't need to be real time, as the lists will not change much.

Currently, I am accessing the DB directly when the form loads to populate the combo box. The database is "in the cloud"... just trying to make it run faster.... is a little slow when accessing the database.

Attached is an image of what I tried to create with the data that I need for two of the comboboxes... I am not certain how to use them or if this is even the correct route.

If you could steer me in the right direction, it would be greatly appreciated.



Thank you in advance!
Chrissy

Attached Images