Microsoft Access to SQL Server Upsizing Resource Center

FMS has extensive resources and experience to help you migrate Microsoft Access applications to SQL Server. In fact, we were selected by the Microsoft SQL Server team to lead a national campaign to promote Microsoft Access to SQL Server upsizing and write technical papers they've posted on MSDN.

Database Evolution Leads to SQL Server Upsizing

Microsoft Access is a wonderful platform that empowers information workers and professional developers to create powerful solutions on the Windows desktop. Over time, good applications evolve and become more mission critical. At some point, you begin to consider migrating your Access application to a more powerful database platform. It could be based on scalability, security, the need for a web solution, legal requirements, performance, or a variety of other reasons. When that time comes, a natural option is Microsoft SQL Server.

Reasons and Ways to Migrate to SQL Server

Before you attempt to convert an Access database to SQL Server, make sure you understand:

• Which applications belong in Microsoft Access vs. SQL Server?
  Not every database should be modified.
• The reasons for upsizing your database.
  Make sure SQL Server gives you what you seek.
• The tradeoffs for doing so.
  There are pluses and minuses depending on what you're trying to optimize.
• The different ways to upsize:
  • Moving just the data to SQL Server and linking to it while preserving the existing Access application.
  • Using the Microsoft SQL Azure platform as your cloud data server
  • Converting an MDB to an ADP.
  • Migrating the entire application to the .NET Framework, ASP.NET, SQL Server platform, or recreating it on SharePoint.

Technical Papers and Resources for Access to SQL Server Help

Here are some of the whitepapers we've written to help you make the right decision about converting and migrating Access databases to SQL Server.

• Microsoft Access or Microsoft SQL Server: What's Right in Your Organization?
  Published on Microsoft's SQL Server Site
• When to Migrate from Access to SQL Server
  Published on Microsoft's SQL Server site
• Microsoft Visual Studio LightSwitch for Migrating Microsoft Access Applications to SQL Server
• Database Evolution: Microsoft Access within an Organization's Database Strategy
  How to use Access strategically within an organization, and when/why to go to SQL Server
• Microsoft Access and Cloud Computing with SQL Azure Databases (Linking to SQL Server Tables in the Cloud)
• Evolving Microsoft Access Applications to SQL Server ( 231k)
  Learn When and How to Upsize to SQL Server
• Strategic Management of Tactical Assets ( 144K)
  Getting your arms around all your Access databases
• Our Microsoft Access Resources and Help Center

Microsoft Access and SQL Server Migration Videos

Migrating Your Data Tier to SQL Server: Strategies for Survival Microsoft Tech*Ed Conference 2009 This panel explores the different reasons, approaches, and challenges of migrating applications to Microsoft SQL Server. Taped May 2009 in Los Angeles, CA (43 minutes)

Microsoft Access Database and Migration Challenges Published on MSDN Channel 9/ARCast.TV Microsoft’s Dr. Zhiming Xue interviews Luke Chung, founder and president of FMS, on dealing with Microsoft Access database solutions and the challenges project teams face when migrating them to more scalable platforms. (22 minutes)

Are we there yet? Successfully navigating the bumpy road from Access to SQL Server Microsoft Tech*Ed Conference 2008 With Luke Chung, FMS President, on a Microsoft Tech*Ed Panel Discussion, taped June 2008 in Orlando, FL (49 minutes)

Microsoft Resources

• Microsoft SQL Server Home
• SQL Server Migration Assistant (SSMA) for Access, Version 5
• Optimizing Microsoft Office Access Applications Linked to SQL Server

Resources to Maintain Existing Access Applications

Not all Access databases should or will migrate to SQL Server. FMS offers a wide range of Access products to help you enhance and maintain your Access databases. Here are a few to help system administrators and database administrators better manage Access databases across a network or enterprise:

• Total Visual Agent
  Make sure your Access databases are compacted, backed up, etc. on a regular schedule
• Total Access Admin
  Monitor who's going in and out of a database in real time
• Total Access Startup
  Centrally manage the deployment and launching of the right version of your Access database with the right version of Access for all your users
• All our Microsoft Access related products

Microsoft Access to SQL Server Upsizing Service

Our Professional Solutions Group offers consulting services to migrate your existing Microsoft Access databases to SQL Server. Our experienced staff has upsized Access databases to maximize your existing investment, take advantage of SQL Server's features, and minimize costs. Whether it's a simple data upsizing to a complete rewrite of the application to Microsoft .NET or SharePoint, we can help with our world class Microsoft Access and Visual Studio experts on ASP.NET, C#, and VB.NET.

Learn more about our:

• Microsoft SQL Server Consulting Services
• ASP.NET programmers for web development
• General Microsoft Access consulting services

Headquartered in Tysons Corner in Northern Virginia, FMS has completed Access to SQL Upsizing projects and general programming services for commercial and government organization across the country from Alaska to California to Florida to New England. Of course, many of our customers are located locally in the Washington DC metropolitan region including Virginia and Maryland. Contact us today to discuss your needs. FMS is also on the federal GSA Schedule.

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