Hi Michelle,
The others have made many good points to explore.

I usually have one exe file (usually on a main server) that other work stations run. The data is usually on a main server which may or may not be a workstation. This arrangement may be slower due to network traffic but is a lot earier for me to maintain.

A point (that may be obvious) to check:
If your form has controls that are bound to table fields ( ControlSource) and a control receives focus after you issue a skip the table record will be locked because you are now editting the table field. Is it possible another workstation has locked the record implicitly by editting a control that is bound to a field in the same table.

I try to do all my editting on variables and then update the table when done editting. I also FLUSH all updates immediately after locking the table.

In my experience the vast majority of table access is to READ data not write data. Record and file buffering schemes aside if controls are bound to table fields ( even if you are just viewing the data ) the record will be locked.

I hope this helps.

Ray