Software Developer Consultant, San Diego, California

Software Development

Microsoft Access Programmer: This product can be a nice tool for creating databases quickly. I have been working with it since version 2.0 (released in 1993). Often, even persons having no formal training or experience can make good use of the included wizards or templates to create a database. A programmer can go further by employing principles of good database schema design, efficiently designed Access forms, queries, and reports, as well as by making use of Microsoft VBA coding.

Would you benefit from having a programmer do some additional enhancement to your Access application, or from suggestions as to other Microsoft products that may be helpful? Please let me know. Send me an email describing a little about what you have in mind. I may have some additional questions for you to help me understand your programming needs in more detail, and to determine how I might best be of help.

If you believe you have reached the limits of what your database can handle, and you would like to explore other programming options, I can help with that too. There are limits to the amount of data that can be contained within a single Access database. You may want to enlist the aid of programmers to see if it might make sense to:

  • Redesign the tables for more efficient storage
  • Split the data among multiple Access databases
  • Upsize the data to Microsoft SQL Server

It may be that your Access database tables are not structured as well as they could be. A developer may be able to redesign your tables in a way that would result in more efficient storage of data.

There are limits to the amount of data that an Access application can handle. However, you can sometimes work around the limitation of a single database by placing some tables in separate databases, and then linking that one to the original. This can often be done without making any Access development changes.

It may be time to consider moving the data to another platform. You may benefit by having a programmer "upsize" the Access data to Microsoft SQL Server. A developer can often move the data out of your existing database and into MS SQL Server while keeping your previously programmed forms, queries, and reports intact within your original application. In this way, you can continue to use the same familiar screens.

A Microsoft Access Programmer may be able to point out other options open to you as well. Please get in touch with me at your earliest convenience to see how I might be of service. I program solutions for clients both in San Diego and in other cities via remote support.