Click on Microsoft Access, and select a “New Database”. You will be given a number of wizards that allow you to create a number of useful business control programs such as:

Asset Tracking, Contact Management, Event Management, Expenses, Inventory Control, Ledger Order Entry, Resource Scheduling, Service Call Management and Time and Billing.

These are ideal solutions for one-man-businesses, where the functionality is exactly what you need, and you do not need to share the data over a network. Unfortunately problems occur as your business grows and changes are needed. This is usually the time when businesses call in Anderson Software to take the business to the next level. The first issue is to separate the program and data files, in this way enhancements can be made to the program without having to lose access to the data. In addition the database can be shared over a network. However this is possible, Access is not really suited for many users access the data simultaneously. The data file can become seriously bloated, or worse still completely corrupted.

At this point the best action is to rewrite the application using an Access “Project”. This uses Access for what it is best at – providing a very efficient development and operator environment, and leaving the database crunching to be performed by Microsoft SQL server. The great thing about SQL Server is that for small numbers of users Microsoft provides the “Desktop Edition” (MSDE), which can do most of the work of full-blown product – but at no cost. Once the number of users exceeds 5, you can upgrade to the SQL server Standard or Enterprise edition.

For more information: http://www.microsoft.com/sql/techinfo/planning/SQLAccess.asp

Anderson Software employs Microsoft Certified Database Administrators (MCDBA) to ensure that the database solutions we deploy are installed and configured for the best performance and reliability. We can advise you on server hardware and operating system design and maintenance plans to ensure you get the most from your database investment.

Companies have called us in when suffering occasional “lock-ups”, or severely poor performance, and we have been able to optimise their systems so that mission critical software runs tens to hundreds of times faster.

Read about Consultancy and Support services at Anderson Software.

Anderson Software Home. 01908 236807.