Best Way to Host Access Databases

[sumdumgai]

Small start up company with no PC's, server, etc. wants to subscribe to marketing data providers and develop own Access/SQL based marketing solutions. What's best way to get needed computer resources (e.g., host computer, MS application software, storage, online access, etc.,) short of buying a the hardware?

 

[GinaWhipp]

Okay, I'm not sure how you are going to do this without some hardware. Even you get Office 365 you need hardware of some sort. And there is no *online* Access, it's Desktop only. So, what am I missing?

 

[The_Doc_Man]

The Access "business model" is that you MUST have a local desktop machine. Either you host Access on that machine or you host it on a server and use Terminal Services to get to that copy of Access. The modern SAAS (software as a service) model is that you have hardware on which to run leased software. There is no version of Access that doesn't require a host machine.

The good news is that if you are not doing something insanely complex or large, a fairly cheap desktop or laptop can manage Office software as long as you have some type of local storage. But, you get what you pay for. If you pay nothing, ...

 

[Rowey]

Hi Sumdumgai

I have several access applications hosted on a Terminal Server environment. This allows users to access them using Microsoft terminal services consol from anywhere there is an internet connection. You can hire space or you can set up your own server with a domain. Not cheap but the only way to host a native access database and make it available to users anyway.

 

[sumdumgai]

Thanks for all of your responses. I should have been clearer. People will have desktops and/or laptops, which will be Windows based with Office 365. Don't want the expense of purchasing a server that all can share, or the headaches of maintaining one. So, the question would be, what's best way to get a Terminal Server environment? Is that, for instance, what Azure can provides? Is there a less expensive but reliable way in which all can share data? Thanks to all.

 

[The_Doc_Man]

If you have Office 365 on each machine, you don't need a terminal server. You need a machine that will be the host of the back end of your database.

Azure provides, in essence, cloud-based disk space and security services to protect it. (More than that, but for your stated goals, the "more than that" might not be relevant, since you already have hardware and Office for your users.) I'm going to defer to those on the forum who have worked with Azure. My site didn't use Azure before I retired.

 

[sumdumgai]

So do I just need storage to contain the back end and no software? In other words, can I just upload the database back end file to the remote storage, and then the Office 365 on each laptop handles the Access queries and such? Thanks.

 

[The_Doc_Man]

If it were simply and only network-attached storage, possibly so. Any "native" back-end of Access is simply a file retrieved and updated through Server Message Block protocol (= the same protocol that Windows uses for file and printer sharing.)

But let's hope that others who have used Azure or know more about it can also answer.

Guys? Gals?

 

[Rowey]

In the scenario I spoke about, the front end of the application (forms,code modules etc) are stored in the profile of each TS user, and the back end ( either access or sqlServer tables) is resident in a shared network folder either on the server or a network attached device.
As The Doc Man pointed out, Access is a desktop app and even though it can connect to remote backends ( I have connected to the MySQL tables behind webpages to collect forms data) the performance speed of data transfer is impractical for real time applications. Maybe if you described your requirements in a little more detail someone may be able to come up with a solution. In my case I found the TS environment the best solution where remote access is required.

 

[The_Doc_Man]

A further problem with the TS environment is that TS managers tend to get it wrong a lot. They want you to share the FE as well as the BE, but that tends to break things. They don't "get" that you need private storage for each user using TS to get to Access because that private storage (even though located on the TS server) is where the FE has to go.

 

[Rowey]

Yes Pat is right - I have tried the VPN route also and it is way too slow. I currently have one clients application located on hired TS and costs them $200 month for 3 users of 5 possible users for that price which is the cheapest price I could find. The performance is very good though as the FE and BE are both on the same server.

 

[sumdumgai]

Rowey, what do mean by the FE and BE are both on the same server? I thought the FE's would be on each user's PC. Can you give me any more info on the hired TS? How do you go about finding a TS provider? I just Googled that and up popped Amazon Lightsail. Is that suitable? Thanks.

 

[The_Doc_Man]

In a Terminal Services environment, you connect to the host system via TS and open a window to that server. IF you have private storage on that server, you can put the FE in your private area and have the BE in a shared area on the same server. The trick is usually to convince the TS guys you need private storage for each user to support that case. Also, be aware that in such cases, the version of Access might have to be licensed for multi-user operation as opposed to having individual single-user licenses for each user.

 

[Rowey]

Hi Sumdumgai


In the TS setup I am referring to, the BE (data tables in a separate ACCDB file) are placed in a shared folder on the Terminal server. You can control access to this folder and its files through a windows security group.

The FE (forms, queries, reports and code modules in an ACCDB file) has a copy for each user in their profile, to which only they have access.

Each user runs a separate FE in their Terminal session.

The users can log into a terminal session from any PC or slim client (including a Mac PC) using a Microsoft TS Client app.

All the processing is done on the server. The client PC is just a window into the TS. Each user get served up a remote windows desktop and they run the access application through that remote desktop.

All the Microsoft software is loaded on the server. To get around the need for multiple copies of Access required to meet license conditions you can use the Microsoft Run time version of the particular version of access you develop in.

Alternatively you can use volume licensing services and buy multiple licenses

With regard to hiring TS space there are many options , I even have an arrangement with an small IT company who hire me space for a couple of clients.

Some you can look at to give an example are (link removed)

Bare in mind you want to have some level of executive access to be able to control the environment for your users.


Hope this is of some help to you.

 

[CJ_London]

this thread asks pretty much the same question - there may be something there to help point you in the right direction

https://www.access-programmers.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?p=1596275#post1596275

 

[Rowey]

Thanks CJ_London - as a newbie with less than 10 posts I couldn't attach links. This post has said everything and more than I was trying to articulate.

 

[arnelgp]

there is a totally free alternative ti citrix, TSPlus (not from MS). You dont have to pay anything. google it and see the reviews. i own one but havent played with it yet.

 

[CJ_London]

had a quick look at TSPlus - there is a free trial, tho' not clear for how many users or for how long