Needing more than Access???

[Guest]

I’m using MS Access 2002 to develop databases for my company using SQL server
for my backend. The time has come where we need a step up from Access but
I’m not sure what we need exactly. Some have mentioned VB.NET but I’m not
familiar with that. I also have heard of another database program that can
use Access along with it but not sure if this is VB.NET or just VB or VBS or
etc… Basically I need to design functional DB's that can have "pretty" forms
that is easy to use. ANY info would be appreciated!

 

[Baz]

I'm using MS Access 2002 to develop databases for my company using SQL server
for my backend. The time has come where we need a step up from Access but
I'm not sure what we need exactly. Some have mentioned VB.NET but I'm not
familiar with that. I also have heard of another database program that can
use Access along with it but not sure if this is VB.NET or just VB or VBS or
etc. Basically I need to design functional DB's that can have "pretty" forms
that is easy to use. ANY info would be appreciated!

And the reason you can't do that with Access is....?

 

[Kevin3NF]

What are you wanting to do that Access cannot?

--
Kevin Hill
President
3NF Consulting

www.3nf-inc.com/NewsGroups.htm

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questions

 

[Guest]

I feel that Access is limited in it's "looks" for forms and reports. Also I
want to deploy full versions of my databases without the user needing to have
Access installed.

I am new to the higher end of programming however. I want to be able to
create Rapid Applications without needing to take a course in something.
What is out there that would have a great features such as automated tasks
for coding yet looks professional?

Thanks!

 

[Rick Brandt]

I feel that Access is limited in it's "looks" for forms and reports.
Also I want to deploy full versions of my databases without the user
needing to have Access installed.

I am new to the higher end of programming however. I want to be able
to create Rapid Applications without needing to take a course in
something. What is out there that would have a great features such as
automated tasks for coding yet looks professional?

I don't believe there is a product that meets all of your criteria.

 

[Guest]

Ok. Then what would be the BEST choice with what is out there? VB.NET or
Visual Studio???

 

[Rick Brandt]

Ok. Then what would be the BEST choice with what is out there?
VB.NET or Visual Studio???

Given your requirements of rapid development and not wanting to "take a
course" I believe you have to disqualify those.

It would take many months to become proficient at Visual Studio and VB.Net
and even after reaching proficiency you are looking at 5 or 6 times as much
development time as an access application for the same functionality.

 

[Baz]

I feel that Access is limited in it's "looks" for forms and reports. Also I
want to deploy full versions of my databases without the user needing to have
Access installed.

I am new to the higher end of programming however. I want to be able to
create Rapid Applications without needing to take a course in something.
What is out there that would have a great features such as automated tasks
for coding yet looks professional?

Thanks!

I'd be most surprised if there's anything significant in the look-and-feel
department that Access is lacking compared to other products. If you could
be more specific, I'm sure that lots of people here could explain how to
achieve what you want.

You can deploy an "executable only" version of Access. You need to buy the
Visual Studio Tools for Office 2003 (or whatever it's called these days),
but your users then don't need Access.

There is quite simply nothing to compare with Access for rapid development.
Something like VB.Net is going to cost you several times the development
effort, and you still will not have superb Access features such as subforms
and continuous forms.

 

[Guest]

access is it. Look at this:

http://www.microsoft.com/office/access/prodinfo/tour/collaborate.mspx#EFB

 

[Guest]

Thank you all for your help!

I'm not opposed to taking a course/class. I actually would prefer it as I
have learned in the past that bad habits(programming or design) can be
eliminated before you get started! I just don't have a lot of time to
produce a product is all.

I would basicallly be building db's for the HR department. Personnel db's &
etc...

 

[Baz]

Thank you all for your help!

I'm not opposed to taking a course/class. I actually would prefer it as I
have learned in the past that bad habits(programming or design) can be
eliminated before you get started! I just don't have a lot of time to
produce a product is all.

I would basicallly be building db's for the HR department. Personnel db's &
etc...

Then you have no choice, if you are so pushed for time then Access it must
be.

 

[Albert D.Kallal]

I feel that Access is limited in it's "looks" for forms and reports.

I used a LOT of repot writers, and I can't think of anything that is more
flexible then ms-access reports. The fact is that you can write code in
those reports, and thus they are extremely flexible.

As for forms, and the UI in access, I do agree you are more limited then
*some* other platforms, but then again, much of what you make is due to
taste of the developer, and not the tools. Take a look at the following
screen shots of simple, but nice access screens:

http://www.members.shaw.ca/AlbertKallal/Articles/Grid.htm

And, if you build custom menu bars, then your application will look like any
other windows application. Take a look at the following screen shots with
custom menus:

http://www.members.shaw.ca/AlbertKallal/Articles/UseAbility/UserFriendly.htm

So, much of a "professional look" is really based on your taste, and what
you like.