Access 2010 Snubs Web Developers … Now What?

By On May 26, 2010 · 9 Comments · In Commentary

New software updates: Welcomed or scary?
Every time an upgrade rolls out, users have to contemplate whether they should spend valuable time migrating projects and maneuvering around software bugs/compatibility issues to enjoy the new features, or stay behind the technology curve where they’re perfectly comfortable, thank you very much.

The release of Microsoft Office 2010 earlier this month suddenly has many IT managers and developers on edge while they investigate the new capabilities and decide whether to upgrade their current IT operations.  One new feature under a lot of scrutiny from Microsoft Access developers are the new Web Apps which require Access users to deal with a SharePoint Server to get a database online.

Hence, Access 2010 is a modified version of the same old story.
Yes, you can build MS Access-driven apps for online use, but what is the point if it still requires you to own and maintain your own servers, pay license fees, and have a specialist on hand who knows how to set up the database, program the apps, and then integrate with SharePoint?

Caspio users are already familiar with the simplicity Caspio brings to the process of converting Access databases online. Not only does Caspio have a similar look and feel to MS Access – making the learning curve extremely fast – the intuitive point-and-click wizards eliminate programming to make building sophisticated web apps a breeze. In fact, InformationWeek recently called Caspio the “Microsoft Access” of the Cloud in their product review and video demo given by CEO, Frank Zamani.

To help Access users overcome their disappointment with Access 2010, we have announced the availability of a complimentary Access Migration Kit, offering all the resources and services needed to get Access databases up-and-running on the web in no time.

Caspio’s Access Migration Kit Includes:
MS Access Migration with Caspio

In minutes, you can have a fully web-enabled database application that makes it easier than ever to create web forms, reports and complete end-to-end web applications and deploy them to any website, hosted anywhere. And since Caspio is 100% browser-based, you can make changes anytime, anywhere with Internet access. There is even a Microsoft Office Plug-in for your Access and Excel programs that automatically downloads Caspio-hosted data to your local desktop, keeping data current and refreshed for local analysis or use in other Office apps such as Word mail merge.

Access users, don’t despair!
There is a viable alternative solution that frees you from the restrictions still dominating traditional Microsoft software. Sign up for the free Access Migration Kit or contact us at 650.691.0900 (Option 2) to discuss your project.

To learn more about how Caspio is addressing the shortcomings of Access 2010, read our official announcement.

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  • microsoft access database

    I’ve been testing Access 2010 – it’s a vast improvement over 2007. I’ve not tested the web facilites yet, but reviews from the press have been good.

  • Albert D. Kallal

    For what reason are you making the blanket statement that uses would have to host their own SharePoint server? There’s absolutely bucket loads of companies that will host SharePoint for you. Lots and lots!

    Furthermore there’s also the cloud offerings from Microsoft which again allow you to host SharePoint and Access Web Services.

    Then on top of all of the above choices, there are also companies specifically dedicated to hosting WEB based applications produced with Access 2010 such as http://www.AccessHosting.com .

    And of course if you don’t want to choose the above flexible choices of options, then you can certainly spend the money and time to set up your own internal servers.

    I’m not sure what you mean by having to deal with SharePoint? If your company’s has already invested into SharePoint, then there’s absolutely nothing additonal that the user has to do in terms of additional expense or hosting resources required by your organization.

    And considering that the security and management of SharePoint is already very robust and well set up within an organization, it only makes sense that Access leverage itself against all of these other resources that a company has when they already invested and adopt SharePoint. And, if you don’t have a SharePoint, why just host for ONE web thing in Access where SharePoint can transform the whole way your company works for the same price of setting up one WEB server.

    You certainly do the Access community a great disservice by making blanket statements about Access 2010 that really amounts to pure deception and spin on your part .

    Your spreading of misinformation and deceptive rumors is being WELL noted within the vibrant Access community. With the Internet, these active communities will always ferret out your brand of misinformation.

    Any company that wants to build ANY web site has to make a decision if they are going to setup and maintain their own web server. The option and choice is the SAME for every company. You are well free to choose to go outside and purchase web hosting if that’s not your company’s cup of tea and choice. This type of choices is COMPLETELY available as a choice in regards to Access Web services also.

    For you to give the impression that there’s no choice in this matter is simply disgusting and morally reprehensible misinformation on your part. Your type of used car blanket wide statements and misinformation is not the way to build any kind of loyalty to your organization or product.

    And as for needing a database specialist on hand? You build your application entirely inside of Access on your desktop without even needing a connection to the Web server.

    The longtime development Access paradigm of easy to build forms and reports is much the same in WEB development as it’s always been . You do not need any additional database training, or even need any SharePoint training . It is literally at the click of a button your application will be pushed up to Access Web services running on SharePoint. Any table designs and modifications CONTINE to be made inside of the rich desktop Access client that you’re familiar with. There is absolutely no need in ANY way for the access developer to have to deal with any of the complexities of the database system, or even know anything about SharePoint. It all done inside of ms-access.

    As mentioned, if your company’s already invested into SharePoint, then this is a real winning combination as this means you’ll likely not have to do any additional investment within your organization to utilize the web based abilities of Access. I not sure where you get the idea that additional knowledge of SharePoint or any type of other programming other than what is contained inside of ms access is required here. (there is not).

    Making blanket statements based on misinformation and lack of knowledge really does reflect badly on your organization and does a great disservice to everyone involved here .

    Albert D. Kallal (Access MVP)
    Edmonton, Alberta Canada
    kallal@msn.com

  • Scott Cadbury

    I completly agree with the comments expressed by Albert.

    Reciently we started using Access 2010, Its nothing short
    of excellent. The huge benifit of Access 2010 is its ability to create a database with a rich gui front end
    and publish it to a Sharepoint Site. In addition to
    publishing to sharepoint you can also use the Access
    client runtime “Its Free” This is huge because it allows
    users to also run the database on their client PC too.

    You are not simply limited to a web app only ! You get the best of both worlds. Typical web databases do not offer this level of intergration.

    I think before you try to spin Access 2010 as more of the same, you try it out and see what it can do !

    Scott

  • Gerald

    I agree with both of the above statements. I converted a rather complex Access 2003 DB into a sql and web compliant version in about a week. That included the small learning curve from 2003 to 2010. A-2010 is a big improvement.

  • Dale Poston

    I wish to completely redo my website with one or more databases, one for my customerbase/partsInventory/Invoicing on site PC service (I am an access vba programmer amoung other things/ actually computer engineer) and one for Inventory/sales. Not sure to go w Sharepoint or Caspio. My main problem is neither Microsoft OR Caspio wish to discuss PRICE. There are free demo/trial downloads but where is the MEAT? Cost?? Are both of you guys ashamed of your price?? It appears so.

  • bill

    I disagree,

    I find ac2010 to have a bunch of new useless features that are too complicated for the average user and too dumb for the advanced.

    its a waste of money. whatever benefit sharepoint integration gives you will be lost in hair.

    ac2010 is great for ms fanboys, but thats it.

  • Stephen B

    Access 2010 web development for SharePoint is a major disappointment. If you want to update a table from a form, good luck. Many features will work in a form, but not work when you are working with the table and vice versa. It is nearly impossible to update the current record you have open in the form with the name of the current web user. Something this simple ought to be easy to do. Look at Microsoft’s prebuilt web templates – they do not grab the current web user, but force you to have a login form that you populate. Why?

  • Jon H

    Access 2010 is great for people who want to have a database on the web but what about an intranet, on a locally hosted site? I don’t want to fork out money for Sharepoint Server which I Love Sharepoint but it is overkill for a SMB. SMB clients don’t need and would rarely use a Sharepoint server not mention the cost.. BTW guys the software is not attacking Access 2010 as whole which we all agree is a great platform. However, it is disappointing that I have to pay someone or MS to have a sharepoint sever to get an easy to use database for my non technical users to use on a local intranet. It’s great for Big Guys with Big Budgets, but what about the little guys?

  • Tony Wright

    Albert D. Kallal has severe misjudgements. We have had major problems with Sharepoint. Caspio is a lot simpler and a lot more effective.
    If you have spent a lot of cash out on Microsoft products it is obvious you will bat for them. Caspio is for everyone and not just for the big players.
    However, Microsoft 2010 is a vast improvement and Sharepoint Designer is making big strides, compared to Adobe Dreamweaver.