Since I hit the limits of MS Access databases now routinely
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SQL_Hell
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err what??
Without the answers to my questions, I cannot answer your question accurately. You provide no information about your current set up at all, I am not a mind reader.
you also asked
"Should I consider SQL Server Express for my desktop, with an Access front end?"
Being rude to person trying help you is pretty damn stupid in my opinion!!!
Without the answers to my questions, I cannot answer your question accurately. You provide no information about your current set up at all, I am not a mind reader.
you also asked
"Should I consider SQL Server Express for my desktop, with an Access front end?"
Being rude to person trying help you is pretty damn stupid in my opinion!!!
FoFa
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Seems to me your question is a bit vague. First, I would not be able see how you could hit the limits of Access on a single desktop. Typically you encounter Access's limits with number of users, not a single user on a single desktop. So that leads to questions. Next it depends on the desktop. Running SQL Server will of course use many more resources on the desktop. This will leave less for Access to use. So maybe you should consider answering the questions being asked to give you a viable answer.
sportsguy
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yes, the question is a bit vague, but I was not asking a specific design question, just a general question looking specific experience.
The amount of data that I am handling is two years of transactions in a $2 billion construction company, because the IT department is underfunded with reporting and analysis as someone else's job. The current analytical process here is to use excel and you can't run a 2 billion company on excel. IT uses SQL server 2000, and they don't allow me access to the servers, i am in finance, not IT.
either I wait for the three years of IT projects to be completed, or I do it myself. I am only allowed a PC, which the company has limitations on, such as 80 gig HD maximim, no 64 bit software allowed, and no 64 bit chipsets allowed, and they told me that no one needs more than a gig of RAM, ever.
Now, the data sets are large, and when trying to build an Access output table in the requested format, with all tables properly indexed, the first month table build did not finish after 14 hours, and i have 24 months to process to catch up. ..
I hit the two gig limit, and had to split the datasets down as far as possible, stripped out all the currently non essential data, and with 24 months, the largest database is 1.5 gigs.
so the next step without working in IT and without trying to spend alot of money, is a question about SQL Server 2005 express. . .
As far as the general questions go, I appreciate the conceptual questions, however, they dont' really help me when looking for specific experience, and so, the answer is still I will try it and see what happens. . .
if you have any experience in using the above combination, then i would appreciate reading any suggestions.
sportsguy
The amount of data that I am handling is two years of transactions in a $2 billion construction company, because the IT department is underfunded with reporting and analysis as someone else's job. The current analytical process here is to use excel and you can't run a 2 billion company on excel. IT uses SQL server 2000, and they don't allow me access to the servers, i am in finance, not IT.
either I wait for the three years of IT projects to be completed, or I do it myself. I am only allowed a PC, which the company has limitations on, such as 80 gig HD maximim, no 64 bit software allowed, and no 64 bit chipsets allowed, and they told me that no one needs more than a gig of RAM, ever.
Now, the data sets are large, and when trying to build an Access output table in the requested format, with all tables properly indexed, the first month table build did not finish after 14 hours, and i have 24 months to process to catch up. ..
I hit the two gig limit, and had to split the datasets down as far as possible, stripped out all the currently non essential data, and with 24 months, the largest database is 1.5 gigs.
so the next step without working in IT and without trying to spend alot of money, is a question about SQL Server 2005 express. . .
As far as the general questions go, I appreciate the conceptual questions, however, they dont' really help me when looking for specific experience, and so, the answer is still I will try it and see what happens. . .
if you have any experience in using the above combination, then i would appreciate reading any suggestions.
sportsguy
sportsguy
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Here are the details
yes, the question is a bit vague, but I was not asking a specific design question, just a general question looking specific experience.
The amount of data that I am handling is two years of transactions in a $2 billion construction company, because the IT department is underfunded with reporting and analysis as someone else's job. The current analytical process here is to use excel and you can't run a 2 billion company on excel. IT uses SQL server 2000, and they don't allow me access to the servers, i am in finance, not IT.
either I wait for the three years of IT projects to be completed, or I do it myself. I am only allowed a PC, which the company has limitations on, such as 80 gig HD maximim, no 64 bit software allowed, and no 64 bit chipsets allowed, and they told me that no one needs more than a gig of RAM, ever.
Now, the data sets are large, and when trying to build an Access output table in the requested format, with all tables properly indexed, the first month table build did not finish after 14 hours, and i have 24 months to process to catch up. ..
I hit the two gig limit, and had to split the datasets down as far as possible, stripped out all the currently non essential data, and with 24 months, the largest database is 1.5 gigs.
so the next step without working in IT and without trying to spend alot of money, is a question about SQL Server 2005 express. . .
As far as the general questions go, I appreciate the conceptual questions, however, they dont' really help me when looking for specific experience, and so, the answer is still I will try it and see what happens. . .
if you have any experience in using the above combination, then i would appreciate reading any suggestions.
sportsguy
yes, the question is a bit vague, but I was not asking a specific design question, just a general question looking specific experience.
The amount of data that I am handling is two years of transactions in a $2 billion construction company, because the IT department is underfunded with reporting and analysis as someone else's job. The current analytical process here is to use excel and you can't run a 2 billion company on excel. IT uses SQL server 2000, and they don't allow me access to the servers, i am in finance, not IT.
either I wait for the three years of IT projects to be completed, or I do it myself. I am only allowed a PC, which the company has limitations on, such as 80 gig HD maximim, no 64 bit software allowed, and no 64 bit chipsets allowed, and they told me that no one needs more than a gig of RAM, ever.
Now, the data sets are large, and when trying to build an Access output table in the requested format, with all tables properly indexed, the first month table build did not finish after 14 hours, and i have 24 months to process to catch up. ..
I hit the two gig limit, and had to split the datasets down as far as possible, stripped out all the currently non essential data, and with 24 months, the largest database is 1.5 gigs.
so the next step without working in IT and without trying to spend alot of money, is a question about SQL Server 2005 express. . .
As far as the general questions go, I appreciate the conceptual questions, however, they dont' really help me when looking for specific experience, and so, the answer is still I will try it and see what happens. . .
if you have any experience in using the above combination, then i would appreciate reading any suggestions.
sportsguy
sportsguy
Finance wiz, Access hack
- Local time
- Today, 11:09
- Joined
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Here are the details
yes, the question is a bit vague, but I was not asking a specific design question, just a general question looking specific experience.
The amount of data that I am handling is two years of transactions in a $2 billion construction company, because the IT department is underfunded with reporting and analysis as someone else's job. The current analytical process here is to use excel and you can't run a 2 billion company on excel. IT uses SQL server 2000, and they don't allow me access to the servers, i am in finance, not IT.
either I wait for the three years of IT projects to be completed, or I do it myself. I am only allowed a PC, which the company has limitations on, such as 80 gig HD maximim, no 64 bit software allowed, and no 64 bit chipsets allowed, and they told me that no one needs more than a gig of RAM, ever.
Now, the data sets are large, and when trying to build an Access output table in the requested format, with all tables properly indexed, the first month table build did not finish after 14 hours, and i have 24 months to process to catch up. ..
I hit the two gig limit, and had to split the datasets down as far as possible, stripped out all the currently non essential data, and with 24 months, the largest database is 1.5 gigs.
so the next step without working in IT and without trying to spend alot of money, is a question about SQL Server 2005 express. . .
As far as the general questions go, I appreciate the conceptual questions, however, they dont' really help me when looking for specific experience, and so, the answer is still I will try it and see what happens. . .
if you have any experience in using the above combination, then i would appreciate reading any suggestions.
sportsguy
yes, the question is a bit vague, but I was not asking a specific design question, just a general question looking specific experience.
The amount of data that I am handling is two years of transactions in a $2 billion construction company, because the IT department is underfunded with reporting and analysis as someone else's job. The current analytical process here is to use excel and you can't run a 2 billion company on excel. IT uses SQL server 2000, and they don't allow me access to the servers, i am in finance, not IT.
either I wait for the three years of IT projects to be completed, or I do it myself. I am only allowed a PC, which the company has limitations on, such as 80 gig HD maximim, no 64 bit software allowed, and no 64 bit chipsets allowed, and they told me that no one needs more than a gig of RAM, ever.
Now, the data sets are large, and when trying to build an Access output table in the requested format, with all tables properly indexed, the first month table build did not finish after 14 hours, and i have 24 months to process to catch up. ..
I hit the two gig limit, and had to split the datasets down as far as possible, stripped out all the currently non essential data, and with 24 months, the largest database is 1.5 gigs.
so the next step without working in IT and without trying to spend alot of money, is a question about SQL Server 2005 express. . .
As far as the general questions go, I appreciate the conceptual questions, however, they dont' really help me when looking for specific experience, and so, the answer is still I will try it and see what happens. . .
if you have any experience in using the above combination, then i would appreciate reading any suggestions.
sportsguy
Seems to me that you're turning company issues into yours.
You will be better of to leave them for what they are (as it's not your problem), start seeking backup or get yourself another your.
And yeah, IT projects tend to take some time
RV
You will be better of to leave them for what they are (as it's not your problem), start seeking backup or get yourself another your.
And yeah, IT projects tend to take some time
RV
sportsguy
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if anyone else would hire me I would be outta here without second thoughts or regrets, and have had interviews, and resumes reviewed. . .
I just have alot of limitations while helping to fix a dysfunctional company. I have made alot of improvements fixing a company that was shrinking into one that is now growing, remember, i am in finance, and there is alot more to do,
that being said, i have to take on alot of additional responsibilities otherwise, for simplicity, i go to debtor's prison. So i don't really have that much of a choice, if you want more details, pay for the drinks at the bar, and I will tell you.
so back to the original premise, and I undertand IT projects take time, but that is also different than being understaffed and underfunded. . . and from a business decision, which is more important? a web site that is partially correct and can't be finished to be correct because the systems are under powered and overdesigned? (with a manual system that takes 30 minutes a day that is emailed and correct?) OR producing accurate reports to pay our contractual obligations?
If you guessed reporting to pay our contractual obligations, you would be incorrect as this company's priorities. . .
so find someone else to hire me, and I promise not to ask any vague questions when people are looking for specific questions to answer to be helpful.
sportsguy
I just have alot of limitations while helping to fix a dysfunctional company. I have made alot of improvements fixing a company that was shrinking into one that is now growing, remember, i am in finance, and there is alot more to do,
that being said, i have to take on alot of additional responsibilities otherwise, for simplicity, i go to debtor's prison. So i don't really have that much of a choice, if you want more details, pay for the drinks at the bar, and I will tell you.
so back to the original premise, and I undertand IT projects take time, but that is also different than being understaffed and underfunded. . . and from a business decision, which is more important? a web site that is partially correct and can't be finished to be correct because the systems are under powered and overdesigned? (with a manual system that takes 30 minutes a day that is emailed and correct?) OR producing accurate reports to pay our contractual obligations?
If you guessed reporting to pay our contractual obligations, you would be incorrect as this company's priorities. . .
so find someone else to hire me, and I promise not to ask any vague questions when people are looking for specific questions to answer to be helpful.
sportsguy
FoFa
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OK, Not knowing your data structure, yet having much experience with FIN. folks and their Excel spreadsheets. I am going to guess the biggest issue you have is table design and normalization. I bet with some design issues worked out, you DB could be smaller, and load much faster. Sql Server Express would up your DB size to 4GB, but that maynot really solve your problems. Sounds like you are looking for an easy fix, and it may not exist. I would say you can try it and see, you can always uninstall if it doesn't work out.
sportsguy said:
Yeah, I know the score, I've been there too, helped me to get older and wiser.
You seem rather committed trying to sort things out that should be sorted out in your opinion.
Now if your company would share and appreciate your attitude, they would facilitate and accomodate you.
Which, I guess, they don't.
You risk ending up burned out and frustrated.
So either demand back up or find another job, you're waisting your time.
Economics are rather good so you should be able to find a better job.
Remember, the key factor to success is "believe in thyself"
RV (I've been there too and learned my lessons, doing quite fine know
)Seems like you been shafted with a nightmare problem -
is it possible to split your data into projects 1 d/b per project or division
while this isn't the answer it is a delay tactic that might help - and yes at the end you will have to collate the data back together - i would utilse a new d/base whcih the divisional or project export to -
as to your underlining issue - i would recommend to your superiors that they have an audit done - you then have the ability to speak to the auditor and they should recommend that this be sorted - being in insurance /finace we have to have annual audit's by 2 or 3 differnce autiors - and all of them have been helpful where IT has been concerned
although this might not help - having been in a similar position afew years ago eventually these things to resolve themselves (in the end what my IT guru did was set up a access B/d and have a semi automatied export in txt file from 30 odd sites emailed into 1 Sql server )
is it possible to split your data into projects 1 d/b per project or division
while this isn't the answer it is a delay tactic that might help - and yes at the end you will have to collate the data back together - i would utilse a new d/base whcih the divisional or project export to -
as to your underlining issue - i would recommend to your superiors that they have an audit done - you then have the ability to speak to the auditor and they should recommend that this be sorted - being in insurance /finace we have to have annual audit's by 2 or 3 differnce autiors - and all of them have been helpful where IT has been concerned
although this might not help - having been in a similar position afew years ago eventually these things to resolve themselves (in the end what my IT guru did was set up a access B/d and have a semi automatied export in txt file from 30 odd sites emailed into 1 Sql server )
sportsguy
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as far as my job situation, am moving to a dba role from finance, but in the forecasting role, which I am helping to design. . . so this will eventually get transferred to someone else. . .
well, I got the SQLServer Express downloaded and installed, and have some data into it, so far so good, and have the ODBC link activated between access and SQLSVRXP. . . . on my home, 4 year old pentium 4 2 ghz 500meg RAm machine, just for testing out. . .
the real questions that i needed to be asked are:
do I have enough time to learn the new application? and its programming nuances?
that is the real question, and its the conceptual question for sure.. .
sportsguy
well, I got the SQLServer Express downloaded and installed, and have some data into it, so far so good, and have the ODBC link activated between access and SQLSVRXP. . . . on my home, 4 year old pentium 4 2 ghz 500meg RAm machine, just for testing out. . .
the real questions that i needed to be asked are:
do I have enough time to learn the new application? and its programming nuances?
that is the real question, and its the conceptual question for sure.. .
sportsguy
sportsguy
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Fofa,
I am going to guess the biggest issue you have is table design and normalization. I bet with some design issues worked out, you DB could be smaller, and load much faster.
actually, i have worked the table designs down as small as possible with normalization, with each table in its own database. . . its not the design, its the amount of data, pure and simple. . .
i routinely have 5-7 million record access databases, several of them. . . and they just keep growing. . .
sportsguy
I am going to guess the biggest issue you have is table design and normalization. I bet with some design issues worked out, you DB could be smaller, and load much faster.
actually, i have worked the table designs down as small as possible with normalization, with each table in its own database. . . its not the design, its the amount of data, pure and simple. . .
i routinely have 5-7 million record access databases, several of them. . . and they just keep growing. . .
sportsguy
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