Using Access to Connect to Online Databases

[joseph]

Hello,

I currently use GoDaddy as a host which allows me to create online
Access databases.

Here is what I am trying to do. A client has seven schools which they
want me to create an online application for. They want a separate
database and separate webpage for each of the seven schools.

I have no trouble setting up the database and pushing the user
submissions into the database.

I now have the task of figuring out how I get the data to the school
administrators who likely are not very fluent with computers. I really
would rather not code up an administrators control panel from the
ground up in PHP. Too much work, and, I have found, school
administrators love to call every other day requesting changes. I
don't want to constantly be reprogramming my code to meet their
demands.

So here was my thought. They all have Microsoft Access. I would love
to be able to create a MDB file that automatically connects remotely
to the Access database I have hosted on GoDaddy. That way I can design
custom reports, queries, entry forms for manual entries or changes,
etc.

How would I go about doing this? I think this would be the best way.
That way I can hand them an Access user manual and if they want
changes they can make them. Worst case scenario I keep all the MDB
files and make the modification to the report or query that they are
requesting, email it to them, and immediately it reconnects to the
online database remotely and they are set. Easy for me, easy for them.

Two questions, can this be done in Access, and, if so, how?

Secondly, does GoDaddy support remote connections to Access databases?
I have ready online that many hosts do not support remote connections.
Would their be a better host to change to in order to be able to
support the features I have outlined above?

Thanks a million,
Joseph

joseph (at) irvinemail (dot) org

 

[Stefan Hoffmann]

hi,

Two questions, can this be done in Access, and, if so, how?

Nope, this is not really possible. The easiest way: use a MySQL or SQL
Express on your domain and connect to these using DAO.


mfG
--> stefan <--

 

[joseph]

Hello,

So, can I use Microsoft Access as a portal of sorts if I have a MySQL
or SQL database?

I want them to be able to use Microsoft Access as if it were a local
database, designing and printing reports, queries, changing data, etc.
So can this be done with a DAO through Microsoft Access?

Thanks,
Joseph


*********************************************************

 

[lyle fairfield]

You can rent an internet enabled sql-server database from many
providers for about 20 (U$D) per month, ($10 for the database, $10 for
the required web site). An Access ADP can connect easily to such a
database.
You could convert your tables and queries to SQL-Server and convert
your Access MDB front end to an ADP.
Your ADP front end will be small, if you don't use images, perhaps
less than one megabyte. It will be easily downloadable.
You can download the free SQL Server Management Studio express to
manage the database. IMO, it's MS's best free utility, and way better
than Access's db design interface.

Many here will tell you that such an arrangement is not safe and/or
won't work. They may be people who have never done it or have done it
poorly, or they may have discovered something new. I have had a blank
db ready and waiting to be hacked for almost two years now. It hasn't
been.

The provider I use is DiscountAsp.Net. I am not associated with them
in any way other than using their services. DiscountAsp.Net does not
feature Candice Mitchell.

 

[Stefan Hoffmann]

hi Joseph,

So, can I use Microsoft Access as a portal of sorts if I have a MySQL
or SQL database? Yes.

I want them to be able to use Microsoft Access as if it were a local
database, designing and printing reports, queries, changing data, etc.
So can this be done with a DAO through Microsoft Access?

Yes. You have just linked tables to your DB server instead of local
tables. Everything else remains the same.


mfG
--> stefan <--

 

[Stefan Hoffmann]

hi Joseph,

So, can I use Microsoft Access as a portal of sorts if I have a MySQL
or SQL database?

Take a look at

http://www.mssqltips.com/tip.asp?tip=1480



mfG
--> stefan <--

 

[aaron.kempf]

I strongly agree.

Moving to ADP is a great choice if you're doing something like this..
it is hundreds of times faster than MDB.

-Aaron