Using Access as the Front-end

[pompeyjim]

Hi everyone.
I’m in the process of designing a database in Access which as far as I knew
was just going to be used on a LAN in one office. But, I’ve recently been
told that the company now want to use it on a worldwide network. This, of
course, is great news for my bank account but bad news for my brain. I know I
can upsize the DB to Microsoft SQL Server but I have several concerns. One
is, how viable is it to use Microsoft SQL Server as the back-end DB and
Access as the Front-end for the user interface, and does doing it this way
mean that the company will have to purchase licenses for SQL Server and
Access? There are many other questions that will arise from this so can
anyone guide me to a website or a book that will give me some advice on this
sort of thing.
Many thanks in advance.
Jim

 

[Arvin Meyer [MVP]]

The decision to use a SQL-Server engine should rely on several factors:

1. Security. If you are storing sensitive data, you want the better security
of SQL-Server.
2. Robustness. If the database must be in service 24/7 you need SQL-Server.
3. Users. If you have dozens of users and the number is steadily growing,
you want SQL-Server.

Regardless of the data storage, using Access MDBs for a front-end is a poor
choice for a WAN, unless you are using Terminal Services. At the very least,
you must use unbound forms and reports or performance will be poor. With
this in mind, before deciding on a data engine, or front-end, it would be
better to do a thorough requirements analysis.

 

[Susie DBA [MSFT]]

you should use Access Data Projects over a WAN
it works great!

get a fast SQL Server 2000 Server, and take a class on SQL Server and
then get a couple of decent books about ADP.
like 'Client / Server Solutions using Microsoft Access' or
'Professional SQL Server DEvelopment using Microsoft Access'

 

[Tony Toews [MVP]]

you should use Access Data Projects over a WAN
it works great!

Note that this person is really A a r o n K e m p f and that he is not an employee
of Microsoft.

Tony
--
Tony Toews, Microsoft Access MVP
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