Making an Access - SQL db solution portable

[Martin Gregersen]

I have an Access application which runs in a server enviroment where I have
an SQL server that the Access connects to. The customer is so happy with my
soultion and told another company about it, they would like something like
that, so I need to make a copy of the setup to a cd to send to the other
company - as a demo. They have no employees with enough IT knowledge to
install a SQL Server/MSDE and the import the database and setting up Access
to connect to the new server. Remote control is not an option, neither is
"local control" since they will not pay for my trip (transatlantic) unless
they want me to make a soultion for them...

I need to take the solution and make it portable. But I am not sure how to
do it, I need a "downsizing" wizard or something? A solution could be to
make "some kind of installer" which installes a MSDE and loads the data into
it and connects the Access database to the new db server. Probably the best
solution, if there is no easy way to make it portable.

I would asume there are some tools available for this or similar purposes,
but I don't know any...

My concern is also the fact that there are some views in the SQL database
and also a lot of the VBA code in forms and reports has been modified to fit
the SQL, during upsizing some years back... I wouldn't like to re-write the
rewritten code, just for a demo.

I'm pretty sure I'm not the only one who has ever wanted to do this, if you
have done it, please let me know how. I welcome any suggestions. )

Thanks in advance

Martin Gregersen
(e-mail address removed)

 

[Pieter Wijnen]

How about a simple mssql backup of the database?
Then they could just import the backup database on their system

Pieter

 

[Pieter Wijnen]

How about a simple mssql backup of the database?
Then they could just import the backup database on their system

Pieter

I have an Access application which runs in a server enviroment where I have
an SQL server that the Access connects to. The customer is so happy with my
soultion and told another company about it, they would like something like
that, so I need to make a copy of the setup to a cd to send to the other
company - as a demo. They have no employees with enough IT knowledge to
install a SQL Server/MSDE and the import the database and setting up Access
to connect to the new server. Remote control is not an option, neither is
"local control" since they will not pay for my trip (transatlantic) unless
they want me to make a soultion for them...

I need to take the solution and make it portable. But I am not sure how to
do it, I need a "downsizing" wizard or something? A solution could be to
make "some kind of installer" which installes a MSDE and loads the data
into it and connects the Access database to the new db server. Probably
the best solution, if there is no easy way to make it portable.

I would asume there are some tools available for this or similar purposes,
but I don't know any...

My concern is also the fact that there are some views in the SQL database
and also a lot of the VBA code in forms and reports has been modified to
fit the SQL, during upsizing some years back... I wouldn't like to
re-write the rewritten code, just for a demo.

I'm pretty sure I'm not the only one who has ever wanted to do this, if
you have done it, please let me know how. I welcome any suggestions. )

Thanks in advance

Martin Gregersen
(e-mail address removed)

--

 

[Mike C#]

I would say tell them to install MSDE and be done with it. If that's not an
option maybe you could set up a remote demo over the internet? Run it
locally on your computer and let them view it in the web browser using
NetMeeting or whatever.

 

[Alex Dybenko]

Hi Martin,
Actually - you can make a setup, which will install MSDE, attach database
and then install all necessary components to run your application - but this
also time consuming task if you never did so.

I think that installing your application on windowsxp and then let them
connect to it with remote desktop it order to try - is most realistic option
for you


--
Best regards,
___________
Alex Dybenko (MVP)
http://alexdyb.blogspot.com
http://www.PointLtd.com

 

[aaron.kempf]

if you do a setup and install MSDE; for christ sakes use Access Data
Projects not mdb!!!

it's just quite a bit simpler to setup; you don't have to worry about
stuff like

To be honest; i believe that SQL Server express has something called
'user instances' that might really make this QUITE easy.

I would research the keyword 'user instance' and evaluate that route.

that way; your client would have a complete toolset-- SQL Server
Management Studio - Express Edition- to manage this from.

Otherwise; it's quite a pain to deal with.

NorthwindCS.ADP has some sample code for enumerating whether a db is
present on the server; and it has a nice install script for you.

Microsoft Access Data Projects
includes the ability to attach a file

I reccomend building a time machine and not using MDB anytime in the
past 10 years.

ADP made them obsolete in the year 1999.

 

[Martin Gregersen]

Hi Alex

I would like if you could tell me how to make such an installer, then I will
know and can make the best decission. They really need a copy to play with,
not just a demonstration online, they need to take every process of their
production into consideration and then see would features they like/dislike
and so on.

Also I would like to know just to know ;o)

Thanks

Martin

 

[Alex Dybenko]

Hi Martin,
personally - I use Wise installation system, but you can also try some free
installer, for example see
http://alexdyb.blogspot.com/2006/04/one-more-free-installer.html

then you can download MSDE setup package from Microsoft site, and include in
your package
now you need to build a script to run MSDE setup, copy database files,
application files, attach database (I use attachDB to do so:
http://www.pointltd.com/Products/Details.asp?dlID=46)


--
Best regards,
___________
Alex Dybenko (MVP)
http://alexdyb.blogspot.com
http://www.PointLtd.com

 

[Guest]

Martin,
I think you have received some good pointers from a technical perspective.
I would like to thow in some thoughts from a sales perspective. In my IT
career I have had to do a lot of selling of business application software.

I came to the realization that providing a copy of an application so the
prospect can test drive it was not always a good idea. First, there are the
dishonest who will try to steal it. I had a friend who told me a prospect of
mine had called him to see if he would decompile the package I had installed
for review. This is rare, but does happen.

The more likely problem is the prospect doesn't know the application. He
wont know how to set it up or how to use it most effectively. They will
mistakenly think the app wont meet their needs because they can't find the
functionality that actually exists. There is also a lot of intertia
involved. They really want to check it out, but "right now, I have to get my
invoices out, maybe tomorrow."

Then, there are the internal politics. One manager in another department is
against it for whatever reason and he will do anything to torpedo moving
forward.

My suggestion would be that you consult with them to find out what their
expectations are, then prepare a demo that addresses their requirements. If
they really insist on a test drive, charge them for it. That will qualify
them. If they are willing to pay a reasonable fee to cover your costs, they
are serious. They will understand, because they are business people, too.
If they are not willing to pony up a fee, they are not that good a prospect.
Move on to the next one.

Good luck to you.

 

[aaron.kempf]

using SQL Server 2005 Express is a LOT more practical than MSDE.

it comes with TOOLS!!!

it doesn't have a governor!!!

it has a 4gb size instead of a 2gb size limit!

-Aaron

 

[Guest]

Martin,

I just came across your post and was reading everyones replies. I sell a
commercial application that uses Access and SQL Server. My suggestion is to
offer a demo of the application using Microsoft's LiveMeeting over the
Internet. Since I've been using this my sales have grown substantially.
Sending demos in my opinion is an ineffective method of selling comprehensive
software applications. For one, they need to understand how your application
works, and who better to show that than you. And, two, like you said, they
don't have an IT Pro on-site, so with LiveMeeting there is no need to install
anything at the client site until they become a "customer". With LiveMeeting,
you are in control of the demonstration and the software remains in your
possession.

If they like the demo via LiveMeeting, I would think they'd be ready to
cover your expenses to come on-site. LiveMeeting does charge a fee for its
usage and it is quite reasonable. LiveMeeting has been a huge money saver and
has increased our sales significantly, so its well worth the cost.

For more details, visit:
http://www.microsoft.com/uc/livemeeting/default.mspx

Hope this is of some use to you.