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Re: What do you use Microsoft Access for? [Re: ghubbell]
Posted on 07/18/05 03:31 PM
Posted by stormin - New Member
Posts: 4 -
Forum: General Chat
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I came across this topic while looking for clues to how I could create an Access application that would run from within an Access database, as well as from the web (from a single point of maintenance, of course!) Many of the posts have been instructive, and I was impressed with the diverse backgrounds and Access uses.
I came at Access fairly late in life after a multi-decade experience with mainframes, UNIX, DB2, very expensive data transformation tools, and data warehouses. After leaving HAL, I began to focus more on what the customer wanted, and my second customer had some basic reporting needs and a small budget.
They also had no database expertise, didn't want any, and preferred to see their data visually as simple graphs. And could I also please let them see the individual records for each summarization? (e.g. the records meeting the selected criteria for June) We eventually settled on Access, and to meet their requirements I built several backends (depending on the desired endpoint) that dynamically generated all the SQL used to fetch data (I realize this is not typical Access usage). The results were then jammed into a PivotChart view in Access 2002, udner VBA control. I'm glad the PivotChart object was available, since the previous alternatives looked more cumbersome to drive. The Access application also has a form that drives a deletion of all table data and reloading from next week's refresh contained in text fields. Another backend application (SPSS or Stata) does some reasonably complicated data transformations during the reload. It turned out the graphing is what they predominately use; most of the canned reports that were also built go unused.
In summary, Access did everything it was told to, and at a low cost to the customer compared to many other solutions. And because all the data is in Access, the customer can extend the applications with their own queries and reports if they ever work up the courage to try.
However, based on what I understand about Access's behaviour with joins between linked tables, the large client memory costs, and the latest Microsoft attempt with Access 2002/2003 to link Access web applications to a licensing $$ grab, I think Access's best use remains as a desktop database for 1-10 users on a good network (no dialup please). I know you can get around the join problem with SQL views, but I think that will only give you some breathing room until a more scaleable database and application environment becomes the better choice. However, I still like the price!
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● Re: What do you use Microsoft Access for? [Re: ghubbell]
Posted on 08/19/05 09:45 AM
Posted by Wings - New Member
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Forum: General Chat
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I use Access at work for a ten year old client database. It is currently in version 97 - soon upgrading to 2003 and SQL backend. Would love to access via internet but there are concerns: speed and reliability being the top two. Have also used Access for contract jobs with Public Works Department in small city, in research projects - entering questionnaire data and preparing for analyzing and reports, and use an Access database to track inventory, computer problems, etc.
I love Access! Nervous about moving to SQL backend.
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● Re: What do you use Microsoft Access for? [Re: ghubbell]
Posted on 08/22/05 06:47 AM
Posted by Joe_mcgrath - Utter Access Guru
Posts: 621 - Loc: Ireland - belfast, near the park
Forum: General Chat
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i was using it to develop applications for a hospital trust - patient tracking, endoscope tracking, document management, clinical information recording, that kind of thing.
Now im working in the Public Record Office of Northern Ireland, im developing a calalogue listing system that will allow people to access our records, at first on computers here in the building and later over the internet, rather than having to come in and order out the physical document, it will also allow them to search for document, so they know the references for when they visit.
oh and a number of smaller apps as well when they pop up.
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If your Irish and your happy, dont clap your hands, you will spill your drink!
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● Re: What do you use Microsoft Access for? [Re: ghubbell]
Posted on 10/12/05 10:01 AM
Posted by rcmaples - Utter Access Member
Posts: 9 - Loc: Texas
Forum: General Chat
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I use Access for various things both in my personal life as well as the professional side. The version of the program normally depends on where I am employed at the time. I am a Consultant (not IT related) and find that some companies I am assigned to work with are still using Access 97 or 2000 where others have finally upgraded to the 2003 version. I myself personally own the 2003 version but use the default file save setting of the 97-2000 format due to the compatability issue I mentioned above.
As far as what I use it for ... professionally, I have been involved in or independantly developed 5 seperate Access DB applications for use by electric utilities to assist them in managing their inventories at specific generating stations (all nuclear). Personally, I have developed 2 different applications for my wife, one to assist her with a Fitness Facility that she owns and another to assist her with Customer Tracking at a major cosmetic company that she manages a counter for. I also am currently developing a Visual Basic application for tracking the record of a sports franchise utilizing an Access database as the storage container for the data. I haven't yet developed anything in the xml side or web based, but I can see that on the horizon for my employer. Depending on how complicated things get I use either a macro to string things together or just write the code directly into the form or control.
I personally think that Access has come from a fairly cluncky beginning into a respectable relational database system. Prior to using Access I worked for a short time with Fox Pro (not Visual Fox Pro) and loved what I could do with it but it didn't have the ease of use that Access 97 had. Where it is going ... who knows. I think that Microsoft has a lot of time and resources tied up in it and don't see them lagging in their support anytime soon.
I would lke to commend you on a wonderful site that provides a convenient way to find answers when necessary.
Sincerely,
Robert C. Maples
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RCMaples
If you know you don't know anything, then you know something.
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Re: What do you use Microsoft Access for? [Re: ghubbell]
Posted on 03/28/06 02:20 PM
Posted by shmuncy - Utter Access Enthusiast
Posts: 33 -
Forum: General Chat
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Over the years i have used access for a variety of purposes, most of which are business related. Some of the primary large scale uses have been a database that provided a method of scheduling and tracking the activities of employees, this one was used by approx 55 users. Another was utilized as a records keeping database regarding customer accounts and was used by over 100 people. I LOVE access!!!
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 I thought I knew a lot...Then I Came here! THANK YOU!
Shea
(forever grateful)
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● Re: What do you use Microsoft Access for? [Re: ghubbell]
Posted on 04/10/06 01:06 PM
Posted by EODAJ - Utter Access Enthusiast
Posts: 21 - Loc: Maryland, USA
Forum: General Chat
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Our team uses Access 2003 on WinXP Pro.
95% for business, 5% for personal use.
We use it to track and schedule training for approx 1800 medical personnel. Most of our users access the db backend through our ASP pages. Only about 15 use the Access front-end.
We don't use XML or data access pages. Some macros, but mostly VBA.
Access is a great cost-effective solution for the low-end database spectrum, but it certainly brings in its share of headaches!
As it is a Microshaft product, I'm not sure I want to know where it's going...distributed apps, probably.
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AJ
That which does not kill you has made a tactical error.
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● Re: What do you use Microsoft Access for? [Re: ghubbell]
Posted on 07/08/06 07:20 AM
Posted by victor - Utter Access Enthusiast
Posts: 49 - Loc: Australia
Forum: General Chat
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We use it for managing employee activity from planning through to live run. We also use it for payroll by capturing employee time in attendance or otherwise.
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● Re: What do you use Microsoft Access for? [Re: ghubbell]
Posted on 07/20/06 11:08 AM
Posted by ian_john_walker - Utter Access Veteran
Posts: 270 - Loc: Southampton, UK
Forum: General Chat
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it kills a bit of time here and there at work
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Achievement is everywhere, some men achieve great things, others simply achieve to get out of bed every morning, at least I have achieved 1 thing in life...
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Re: What do you use Microsoft Access for? [Re: ghubbell]
Posted on 08/21/06 03:33 AM
Posted by Thrackan - Utter Access Addict
Posts: 65 - Loc: De Lier - The Netherlands
Forum: General Chat
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I am actually sort of forced to use Access for an internship to get my diploma...
Started out really negative, the "Bah, I hate Access for no apparent reason" mentality, but with my predecessor gone and me here on my own, I am really starting to see the functionality that can be achieved.
Now, I have only been using Acces (2k) for maybe... two months, and that includes self-learning the basics. Though I came here with mainly PHP and MySQL experience, so basic programming and database skills were no problem.
Right now, 2 months later, I am diving head-first into the VBA code of this database, which has been in development for a couple of years (!) by interns. Really, I haven't seen such chaotic programming in years.
But just as a matter of prestige, I would like to get some modules working perfectly, including an agenda linked with Outlook, and preferrably finish a big chunk of this project.
So yeah, I use it for work, and I quite like it, now that I have settled with it. Haven't used it at home, but I did use a small database in the summer, registering IP's, switch-, portnumbers and nicknames, while being Field Admin on an outdoor LAN party.
Most important thing I still have to learn: think simple when encountering problems... saves a lot of time.
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Signatures are pure art... I am not an artist.
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Re: What do you use Microsoft Access for? [Re: ghubbell]
Posted on 10/15/06 06:07 PM
Posted by Korgibear - Utter Access Addict
Posts: 81 - Loc: AZ
Forum: General Chat
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I used to use Access in my job as a report tracking application. I now use it in my freelance business helping small businesses with whatever needs they have. I have done a couple of inventory systems and a survey creation/tracking system and am currently working on a production tracking and calendaring system that I hope to connect to MS Outlook's calendar.
Thanks for all your help in the past and in the future - I'm learning new techniques all the time from you and others.
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