Access Database Strategic Planning

How to determine what type of database system your organization needs? You need to answer the following questions:

  • What are your organizations goals - what do you hope to accomplish?
  • What are the minimum requirements that the database system must accomplish?
  • What problem areas, deficiencies, or weaknesses do you have in your current systems or methodologies?
  • What organizational units will be utilizing the new system, and about how many people are in each unit?
  • What reporting processes are we currently using that could be simplified, and streamlined.

Strategic Questions:

  • What version of Microsoft Access do you want your database created in?
  • How many users will this database have?
  • Will these users use the database one at a time or concurrently?
  • Do you want the database to be a web based, networked, SharePoint, or desktop database?
  • Will you want this database to have additional security, password protection, or other special features?
  • Are there any anomalies or exceptions within your data, or processes? Such as returned checks, refunds, etc.
  • Do you have other established systems that you will want this database to interact with, and/or transfer information from/to?

Microsoft Access Facts:

  • Microsoft Access Databases can support multiple users concurrently. The number of users that can be supported at the same time without affecting performance depends on what the users will be doing and the setup of the database, but for most small businesses Microsoft Access is a great solution at a lower cost to develop and maintain.
  • Most use Microsoft Access Databases as a desktop database, but Access Databases can be web based, networked on a remote server and accessed through terminal services, serve as an interface for other database sources such as Microsoft SQL Server, Oracle, Visual FoxPro, or MySQL for example using ODBC.
  • Microsoft Access Databases can interface with other software by importing data, or connecting data tables through ODBC such as for example, accounting systems like QuickBooks, or Sage, or Oracle products such as PeopleSoft.
  • Microsoft Access Databases can be simple applications to do one task or report, or can be developed as complex systems to manage inventories, accounts, clients, invoicing and accounting. The list is virtually endless.