Access Database Solutions

Introduction

Our lead engineer has over 20,000 hours of Microsoft Access development experience across a wide range of database projects, and we can put that experience to work on your Microsoft Access challenges. Our services fall into three levels.

Level 1: Repairs and improvements

Get an existing database working properly again.

• Fix startup issues: Your database may not start due to an internal error, or because older Microsoft Access databases (.mdb) are incompatible with current versions of Microsoft Office (.accdb). These may need to be converted.
• Fix functionality: Your Access database may have incomplete or defective parts that need fixing. This can include minor enhancements to increase capability.
• Extract data: You may want to extract data from an Access database into another database like SQL Server, PostgreSQL, or Excel. This is often done because IT support staff can manage the other database format.
• Resolve data structure issues: Sometimes your database's capability is limited by structural issues with the data. For example, a non-normalised database can cause various limitations or problems. Often, fact tables or lookup tables are missing, leading to data quality issues. This work may also require data cleansing.
• Enhancements: You may need enhancements to provide necessary capabilities. For instance, if a key piece of information is missing from one of your tables, the table needs the new field, and queries, forms and reports may need updating.
• Split database files: Your database should be split into a front-end database file and a back-end database file. This lets you update your queries, forms, reports or code without overwriting your data. It also enables your database to work as a file-server multi-user system.

Level 2: Upgrades and conversions

Improve usability and move to more capable technology.

• Create a custom user interface: Custom menus can replace the Office ribbon, significantly improving usability by showing only the relevant commands. This can reduce anxiety for both current and new users. The custom menu can include links to help and training files and other resources.
• Convert to client-server: Your back-end data file can be converted to a server-based database engine like SQL Server or PostgreSQL. The server then processes your queries and data access, with far greater efficiency and capacity. Your front-end can stay in Microsoft Access, using the back-end database engine for all data requests while providing the user interface.
• Convert the front-end to a compiled application: Your front-end can be converted from Access into a compiled language like Microsoft's C#, producing an .exe application file. The back-end can remain in Microsoft Access or be converted to a client-server database engine.
• Convert both the front-end and back-end: Your front-end can be converted into a compiled language, and the back-end to a client-server database. For example, converting the front-end to C# and the back-end to PostgreSQL removes the need for Microsoft Access on client machines and reduces licensing costs.

Level 3: New builds

Start fresh with the right architecture.

• Design a database solution from the ground up: We can build your database solution from scratch with your choice of front-end and back-end architectures.