It's my never ending quest for the dumbest thread in the universe...

Hey tech nerds, my company's looking to upgrade/overhaul/replace our database and project management software, and I've been asked to head up the efforts. We have a Microsoft Access database that ties into our accounting software, and we'd like to streamline it and tie in other programs, mostly Microsoft Office based.

If anyone does this for a living or knows someone (or preferably a company) that does this, let me know. It could turn into a job.

This is destined to turn into a beer thread anyways, so...

I had one of these last night. Yum.

But yeah, productive comments are very welcome.

That's almost exactly what I do. Except I'm not planning on changing jobs. I'd be happy to discuss it with you over a few beers. I may be able to help you find the right person, or help the person you find if they are struggling.

Well, normally, the second I see the words 'Microsoft Access' I run, but the beer kept me here.



I am a software development consultant. My company lives in the Microsoft space- I'd be happy to chat with you if you'd like.

You guys rock!

A couple of notes:

I'll be looking to hire someone to build the database, not a full time employee. We hired a freelance guy last time, and he did a great job, but he was the only person who could help us for a LONG time, so I'd prefer going through a company.

I'm not absolutely dead set on using Microsoft Access, it's just what we use now. It works... kinda. The guy that wrote the code did the best he could do but is no longer with the company and no one else knows how to do any of it. I'd hate to throw away what we have already in case it can be improved, but I'm open to a complete overhaul if it'd be better in the long run. The only thing that can't be changed is our accounting software. (MAS90, if that means anything).

I hope that this person/company has the expertise that s/he doesn't need too much help, but I sure need help starting this process. If either of you have names of people/companies who could do it I'd love to hear them (prof, maybe your company is right up my alley?). And if you feel that there would be value in meeting so I can explain what we have currently and you can point me in the right direction I'd be more than happy to at the very least buy you lunch.

Dan

I keed, I keed. Access is a fine technology, but it doesn't scale infinitely. Part of doing tech well is finding the right technology for a given problem, and Access may be the perfect answer for you. Or it may make sense to move the code you have to a new platform.

I'd be happy to get you in touch with the right people at my company (and recommend others if we don't work). I sent you a PM with some details. I'd also be happy to give you any advice if you would like. Is this DB used mostly for reporting?

I just replied to your PM in the form of a long winded email. Hopefully it answers your question about the reporting. Thanks!

- Dan

Whether or not I would recommend Access has everything to do with the description of the project (which I haven't heard at all). If you want to store or archive information, I'd recommend SQL Server. If you want a small, quick app that grabs some data out of your accounting system's database, or lets you enter info into your accounting system's database, or just passes some stuff through, Access is great.

Going on the Sausage Fest ride this Sunday?
viewtopic.php?f=1&t=24676

I'll be there.

MySQL all the way. Stay the HELL away from Access as a backend unless you have no choice.

I am as big of a gnu zealot as they come, but I at least know that typing M$ does not help your case.

Good point, I'll change that. Access does have it's advantages but I just break out in hives when I hear people using it for any form of backend solution.

The $ symbol is appropriate, however, because that's the obstacle standing in the way of the bosses going with the SQL route.

Are they opposed to going with MySQL? For $2,000 (annual fee) you can go with their Standard Edition and use Toad for MySQL (cost $0) for reporting and administration and free yourself of SQL Server and Access. You can tie it into Office via ODBC if needed, but I'd recommend using Toad to do your reporting.

In a former life I did a lot of work in SQL Server and, while it is insanely expensive now, it is a great product. That said, even with Oracle being the parent company, I'd see if you could use MySQL for your backend solution. Could you provide some background on what the current solution does and what, ideally, you'd like for a new solution to do for you?

Not with enough details right now, unfortunately...

Long story short, our project management software was written by a guy who's no longer with the company, and the program sucks. We're looking at upgrading, and I'm waiting on a quote from the outfit that prof works for, but I'm nervous that the bosses aren't anxious to spend the necessary money. (Don't let that deter you, prof. I'm going to work it as much as I can so they spend the money to do it right).