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Absolutely Access

Our company uses Access for our main database system. We have 11 branch offices plus corporate tied together with terminal server into that Access database, over 50 users.

We use the custom developed system to run the entire company, from dispatching and fund handling to all the reporting needs (over 200 different reports! :)). We use it for automated paging of techs, call load balancing, electronic data transfer to and from customers, and all the other myriad details that make up our business.

It's written purely in Access, with over a gig of data, with an Access back end. It's been running the company for 4 years now, and supported phenomenal company growth--and we're *still* well within Access's performance envelope.

And when the Jet engine runs out of steam, it's a reasonably simple matter to switch out the Access back end for SQL server--and still preserve all the (man-years) of programming time and effort in the front-end.

Those companies you mention probably weren't expert in Access. Like any programming system (and Access is more than simple VBA) you have to understand how to use it, how to avoid pitfalls and play to the system's strengths. You have to understand database design, you have to tune performance to the Jet engine (or SQL server, or Oracle or whatever).

Filemaker simply isn't in Access's league. It isn't intended for the same jobs, it doesn't have the same capabilities. In many ways, Access is SQL Server/Oracle/DB2-lite, with a far superior development environment. While it's true it isn't client-server, is file based not record based, and doesn't support stored procedures, in every other way it *is* a full blown relational SQL database, with all that implies.

Plus development time is 1/4 any other solution, and that translates directly into the bottom line.

So before you dismiss Access as a toy, you should really understand what it is and what it can do in the hands of those (like me) who know how to fully utilize its power.

Posted by: wolf_z   Posted on: 11/01/03 You are currently: a Guest | Members login | Terms of Use

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