Mobile Access

[denileigh]

Hi all. Just a question.

Is it possible to run an access front end and a sql back end (on the server) on a tablet for access in a large plant? Wifi is available.

If so...what tablet? Windows 8?

Thanks for the tips!

 

[burrina]

Just my opinion. Using Access via WiFi is a bad idea.

 

[pbaldy]

I agree with burrina that using Access via WiFi is normally a bad idea. Properly written with a SQL Server back end, it might be workable (untested though). You don't want to maintain a connection, since the WiFi can drop now and then (and can corrupt an Access back end when it does, which is why it's typically not recommended).

To your question, probably any tablet that runs a full version of Windows. For example the basic Surface (Surface RT I think it's called) won't run Access; the Surface Pro models run the full version of Windows, which will run Access.

 

[denileigh]

We do have an sql backend. How would you recommend making it mobile?

 

[denileigh]

Someone said it had to be web based. Pardon my ignorance but what does that mean and what program do you use for development?

 

[pbaldy]

I would ask the person who said it what they meant. If you just need it to work with WiFi within the company network, I don't see a need for a web-based solution.

 

[pbaldy]

Just heard about this, which may also be useful:

http://www.utteraccess.com/wiki/index.php/Web_Enabled_Access

There are also non-Access solutions using .NET, etc.

 

[denileigh]

Thank you Paul - I'm reading all of that. We need the guys in the plant outside that inspect railcars to be able to add estimates into the database as well as access pdf files and such on the servers as they walk around outside.