SQL Server

[Spentak]

I'm thinking about upgrading to SQL Server. I have a few questions:

1) How are forms and reports designed? Is SQL server and application that has the graphical design features of Access?

2) Is SQL Server just as effecient using Access as a front end?

3) What is the most common way of networking to an SQL server for companies with about 100 concurrent users? Would Terminal Services be sufficient?

 

[boblarson]

I'll answer question 2 for you first -

SQL Server is a backend database. There is no user interface. You need to create one, either by using an Access frontend or something written in a programming language like VB, VB.NET, Visual C#, Visual C++, C++, Java, etc.

#1 - Forms and reports are designed in whatever frontend tool you choose. It is fairly easy to do in Access because you can link your SQL tables and then refer to them like a native table. But, to get good performance and response you need to take advantage of Stored Procedures, etc. and can either use the frontend as an ADP (no local tables available) or MDB/ACCDB (local tables available) file. And what I mean by local tables are things like lookup tables that might be wanted in the frontend to speed up combo boxes, etc. becuase the data might not change frequently (like lists of Countries, etc.).

#3. The most common way is just to access it via the Access frontend, either by someone having Access on their machine or by using the runtime.

 

[Spentak]

thanks, that was the perfect answer