sharing a database

[Chrisopia]

There are 3 separate, geographical locations that need to share 1 back end database

I think I've exhausted all options, other than buying an SQL database on a server that allows to share with applications. There is also paranoia about data security and protection from hackers.

The only way I can think to solve this is a central database kept in the main centre, and the other 2 receive "updated" back ends (i.e. through emails), which when run from a desktop application automatically updates the database.

Likewise, the other 2 sites update the central database. It sounds very messy.

Theres that, or we are looking into setting up a NAS harddrive accessible from all sites, if possible that is. Still I have no idea how a backend would be shared?

Any help of advice will be appreciated!

 

[Pat Hartman]

Sharing data from geographically separate sites is a challenge. In earlier versions of Access replication was a common solution but that has been dropped from Access and so is no longer an option. The most straight-forward solution these days is to sign up for a cloud-hosted database. You can go with SQL Server or Azure. Azure is a little more limited but will do the job. Your Access front ends can link to the tables in the cloud and all share the same data. You could try to do this with a hosted ACE database if that will be easier for you but not all ISPs support ACE or Jet.

Another alternative is Citrix but if you don't already have a server and licenses, setting that up can be expensive and daunting. I'd go with SQL Server or ACE in the cloud. You should be able to get something for around $10 per month.

 

[Simon_MT]

Also look at a Terminal Server with VPN connectivity.

Simon