Migrate to access ... help !!!

[John@home]

I would like some experts-advice ...

I have:
Developed a database in lotus-approach (97), wich is alive and
kicking.
Unfortunaly, this application runs only on a (out-dated) PC with W95
setup/platform.
The current data-tables are stored in DBF-files. The form and reports
are in the seperate 'apr'-files.

I want:
migrate to access ...

Is it possible (wise), both applications manipulate the
tables/records?

How do/can I proceed?

Regards,
Jos

 

[Fred]

I noticed that nobody answered so far.

Never worked with Lotus Approach, but worked a lot with .dbf files as
DBase. IF the foundaiton is similar:........

Here's my shooting from the hip guess.

Is there any need or great advantage to try to use both application at once?
If not, just move it to Access.

A .dbf file would be the equivalent of an Acess table.

Learn the structure of the tables and the relationships between them in
Lotus Approach.

Import each .dbf into an Access table.

Recreate the relationships, and then create the needed forms, queries and
reports in Access.

 

[John@home]

On Thu, 23 Jul 2009 12:13:01 -0700, =?Utf-8?B?RnJlZA==?=

Hi fred,

Is there any need or great advantage to try to use both application at once?
If not, just move it to Access.

Honestly ... I have no idea.

I'm 'brandnew' to access, and my 'learning-curve' is not so steep as
it used to be ... so the current application has to keep running,
while new data comes in.

What is the best approach to migrate the acces database?

I think, My scenario looks like this:
* Take a 'picture' of the current tables, and develop on these copies
the acces forms and reports.
* In the meantime, keep the tables uptodate with the lotus-approach
application.
* When acces is 'ready', I need a method to 're-import' the updated
tables.

One of my (many) concerns is the 'autonumber fields' which are
generated with lotus (sequentially), The algoritm will probably differ
from access. These fields are used as link between the tables.

If access takes over, will the generated 'autonumbers' fit in the
excisting ones?

 

[Bernard Peek]

On Thu, 23 Jul 2009 12:13:01 -0700, =?Utf-8?B?RnJlZA==?=

Hi fred,


Honestly ... I have no idea.

I'm 'brandnew' to access, and my 'learning-curve' is not so steep as
it used to be ... so the current application has to keep running,
while new data comes in.

What is the best approach to migrate the acces database?

The first step is to decide how you will know that the new Access
application does everything that you need. Only at that point will it be
safe to switch over. Decide on the tests that you will apply.

I think, My scenario looks like this:
* Take a 'picture' of the current tables, and develop on these copies
the acces forms and reports.

That's probably the best option. At this early stage you may also want
to consider whether the table structure that you have is right, or
whether it needs to be changed.

There are two ways that you can take a picture of the existing data.
Firstly you can import the data into an Access database, each .DBF file
becomes a new table. Secondly you can link your .DBF files to Access
tables, Access will be able to read and write data in .DBF format.

Both of these options have advantages and disadvantages. Whatever route
you choose, make sure that you only work with a copy of your original
data up until the point that the new system goes live. Keep the original
data safe.

* In the meantime, keep the tables uptodate with the lotus-approach
application.
* When acces is 'ready', I need a method to 're-import' the updated
tables.

That's relatively simple if you have retained the database structure
from the Approach system. If you have changed the structure then you
will have an additional transformation step that converts the old data
to its new structure.

One of my (many) concerns is the 'autonumber fields' which are
generated with lotus (sequentially), The algoritm will probably differ
from access. These fields are used as link between the tables.

In general it doesn't matter what algorithm is used as long as it always
generates a unique number. One little gotcha is that in some situations
Access can skip over an autonumber value. You should not rely on having
an unbroken sequence of numbers.

If access takes over, will the generated 'autonumbers' fit in the
excisting ones?

That is certainly possible. If you convert an existing field to an
autonumber Access will take the highest existing number and start adding
1 to it each time you create a new record.

 

[Jeff Boyce]

How have you come to the conclusion that Access is the tool you need to use?

Regards

Jeff Boyce
Microsoft Office/Access MVP

 

[Fred]

What the heck, go for it. !

Assuming that implicit in your "migrate" question is "migrate and have a
good thing going", one of the big questions that will determine answers and
what you'll be doing is What is the quality level of your table structure
and data? Is it normalized? Are there data definition, for the contents of
tables and fields which have been followed?

Either way, an important early step will be to assess and learn what you
currently have regarding items I asked about.

 

[John@home]

How have you come to the conclusion that Access is the tool you need to use?

Regards

Jeff Boyce
Microsoft Office/Access MVP

Not really an conclusion, it's an option.
Perhaps, an other option is to go for a 'dual-boot' system. (new OS
and W95)
I'm assessing both options ... Hence my quest for access-experts
insight.

It seems the logical way to go for access (compatibility for the
future)
This database is used for my personal use (non-profit ... So I've not
a lot of money at my disposal)

Access looks like the 'defacto' database-standard. Support is plenty
around. And access will have support together with the (future)
operating systems.

Although, approach is an excellent tool for my 'simpel' mind, the
support is minimal.

The lotus approach97 application run's only smooth on a W95 platform.
The current PC is 12 years old and need to be replaced (before it
crashes).
If I buy uptodate hardware, I need to buy an upgraded approach-version
as well. But then again ... I will encounter the same issue/question
within time.

Regards,
Jos

 

[Jeff Boyce]

I'm not familiar with the Lotus offering, so I don't know the degree of
'match' with Access.

I usually offer 4 learning curves that will need to be surmounted before you
can develop a useful (i.e., gets used!) application. You may have already
surmounted all 4:

1. Relational database design/normalization
2. Access tips/tricks
3. Graphical User Interface design
4. Application development

Good luck!

Regards

Jeff Boyce
Microsoft Office/Access MVP

 

[John@home]

I usually offer 4 learning curves that will need to be surmounted before you
can develop a useful (i.e., gets used!) application. You may have already
surmounted all 4:

1. Relational database design/normalization

The structure is solid and tables are normalised

2. Access tips/tricks

Thats, where you guys kicks in ... )

3. Graphical User Interface design
4. Application development

That will be my time-consumer. Learn how 'things' are accomplisched in
access. it's a lot harder (for me) to crack, then approach ...

Good luck!

Thanks ... time will tell.

 

[Jeff Boyce]

These newsgroups are provided free-of-cost. Your soliciting paid work here
is a violation of the Rules of Conduct.

Feel free to post your offers on "for pay" newsgroups. I'm sure there are
many folks here who would be happy to tell you where you can go...

Regards

Jeff Boyce
Microsoft Office/Access MVP

 

[John... Visio MVP]

My fee to work with you would be very reasonable.

Steve
(e-mail address removed)

These newsgroups are provided by Microsoft for FREE peer to peer support.
There are many highly qualified individuals who gladly help for free. Stevie
is not one of them, but he is the only one who just does not get the idea of
"FREE" support. He offers questionable results at unreasonable prices. If he
was any good, the "thousands" of people he claims to have helped would be
flooding him with work, but there appears to be a continuous drought and he
needs to constantly grovel for work.

A few gems gleaned from the Word New User newsgroup over the Christmas
holidays to show Stevie's "expertise" in Word.


Dec 17, 2008 7:47 pm

Word 2007 ..........
In older versions of Word you could highlght some text then go to Format -
Change Case and change the case of the hoghloghted text. Is this still
available in Word 2007? Where?
Thanks! Steve


Dec 22, 2008 8:22 pm

I am designing a series of paystubs for a client. I start in landscape and
draw a table then add columns and rows to setup labels and their
corresponding value. This all works fine. After a landscape version is
completed, I next need to design a portrait version. Rather than strating
from scratch, I'd like to be able to cut and paste from the landscape
version and design the portrait version.
Steve


Dec 24, 2008, 1:12 PM

How do you protect the document for filling in forms?
Steve


One of my favourites:
Dec 30, 2008 8:07 PM - a reply to stevie
(The original poster asked how to sort a list and stevie offered to create
the OP an Access database)

Yes, you are right but a database is the correct tool to use not a
spreadsheet.

Not at all. If it's just a simple list then a spreadsheet is perfectly
adequate...




John... Visio MVP

 

[Keith Wilby]

Hello Jos,

Do you want help migrating to Access? If you can send me a listing of your
tables and fields in each table, I could create Access tables for your
data and then build the forms for entering data.

So how come you're so feckin useless at reports?

http://home.tiscali.nl/arracom/whoissteve.html

 

[Jeff Boyce]

I think I'm finally understanding ...

confronting you = "tieing up the newsgroups with your crap"

calling you on your violations of the Rules of Conduct = "stalking"

not calling you on your violations of the Rules of Conduct = "providing
useful assistance"

Thanks for the clarification.

Regards

Jeff Boyce
Microsoft Office/Access MVP

 

[Keith Wilby]

And I'm sure there will be many others who will tell you to stop your
stalking and tieing up the newsgroups with your crap.

Well, none so far. I'll check back in a few days.

 

[Fred]

John,

Well, you heard from one of the real experts (Jeff) who is taking a very
thorough and cautious approach. Plus from Steve who, as he has done with
many others, derailed your thread by asking for money.

All said and done, I think that my 7/23 post would be a good direction for
you.