MS Access Solutions has developed many Microsoft Access database applications for clients throughout the United States and Canada. These databases continue to be useful for our clients. The Microsoft Access database application has been available since 1992 with Version 1.0. Microsoft Access became very popular very rapidly, and literally pushed all competitors out of the market. At the time MS Access was released all true relational database system were quite expensive or they were built using DOS and did not have a visual display.
Much has changed since Access first came on the market. There are now several powerful database software programs available as open source and free to use at no cost. Microsoft SQL Server is now very affordable and SQL Server SQL Server Express is free to download and use, and it provides many of the features of the paid, full versions of Microsoft SQL Server.
One might ask “Why Use MS Access?”
The Business Case for Access
Microsoft Access is a rapid application development software that can be used to create a database very quickly when compared to large database programs. MS Access has a variety of features that provide very nice looking forms and reports, plus excellent data manipulation. MS Access database solutions are affordable, even for small businesses.
Because Access has so many visual features, it contains all the necessary tools for programming a database that will work well for small businesses, internal business departments, or within work groups.
What Is Included In Microsoft Access?
- Access database program
- Table creator tool
- Query creator tool
- Form creator tool
- Report creator tool
- Macro creator tool
- Visual Basic For Applications (VBA) programming language
An MS Access database application does not require a dedicated server operating system, hardware, or a custom software application environment. Although sometimes thought of a single user database, Microsoft Access will work quite well with multiple concurrent users. There is some debate as to the actual number of concurrent users Access can handle – we recommend ten or less.
Microsoft Access is often used as a “front-end” or User Interface (UI) that connects with powerful database or databases, like SQL Server or other databases via ODBC (Open Database Connectivity). Using a multiple database approach with MS Access will create a very powerful application that is affordable for small, medium, and large businesses.
Access Is Flexible And Portable
Portability is an excellent feature within Access, making it easy to copy or move similar to an MS Excel spreadsheet file. An Access database application can be stored within one file, although this is not always the case, since Access is often used as a front end with other databases. When stored in one database, Microsoft Access database application is easy to copy for other uses, including a new Access project or for replication to other computers or servers.
This flexibility has helped create a large number of Microsoft Access advocates in the programmer community. There are many techniques and approaches to using Access and this provides the kind of flexible nature programmers often need for database projects.
Access Stands The Test Of Time
Microsoft Access has been on the market for over 25 years and Microsoft continues to tweak the program and support it with help files, videos, and newer versions to add more features and provide smoother operation. Access is the most used relational database because it is so readily available and easy to use. MS Access Solutions not only supports Microsoft Access, we are strong advocates of using Access correctly to enhance any business’ operations.
Here is a a brief list of the some of the MS Access applications that MS Access Solutions has designed, programmed and installed for our clients. These example databases are used by various industries and continue to perform quite well.
| Industry | Application Description | Date in Service |
| Manufacturing | Database to catalog and archive inventory items. | Late 90s |
| Manufacturing | Products inventory and shipping database | Late 90s |
| Food Industry | Supply inventory database | Late 90s |
| Food & Beverage | Bottling plant equipment, inventory, shipping databases | Late 90s |
| Pharmacology-Medical | Medical supplies inventory database | Early 2000s |
| Hospital Data | Medical and non-medical supplies inventory. | 2004 |
| Manufacturing | Used as front end database with SQL Server data storage for inventory management. | 2005 |
| Military | We cannot disclose the nature of this project. We can say that it did involve Access + SQL Server | 2009 |
| University Pesonnel Management | Database to enter and maintain personnel records. | 2013 |
| Manufacturing | MS Access application with SQL Server to manage shipping. | 2013 |
| Landscaping Industry | Complete MS Access application to manage and track all inventory and customers. | 2019 |
When Should I Upsize or Migrate Access To SQL Server
Although Access is quite powerful, we find that it is best to use SQL Server for data storage when:
- Databases are extremely large
- Databases that need strong security for users
- When the database might grow very fast
- Database applications that require 100’s of concurrent users
- Data generation on a large scale
Should I Migrate My Access Data To SQL Server?
The answer to this question is: If you have an existing Microsoft Access database that is storing data in Access, you should upsize (migrate) the data to SQL Server as soon as possible.
At MS Access Solutions, all new Access database application utilize Access as the front end, or data entry point, with SQL Server as the data storage or back end. This provides much faster performance, much better security, better scheduling for routine operations, better management of future database growth, better scheduling for routine operations, capacity for more concurrent users, and smoother data integration.
When you need a true Microsoft Access Expert, contact MS Access Solutions at (323) 285-0939. We provide services for all industries and business sizes throughout the U.S. Below is a map of some of our service areas in the state of California.
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