Forum Discussion
Constant database conflicts
This is not a today solution but Microsoft is developing an Access Dataverse Connector which is in preview and scheduled for release in March, 2022. Although there will be some limitations, the general idea is that you will be able to move your local tables to the cloud database but otherwise use Access on the desktop just as you do now. This will also enable you to set up better security for your data.
Of course, there are other solutions such as moving your backend data to Azure SQL. However, if you are a “Citizen Developer” like I am, you may be more comfortable letting Microsoft do the heavy lifting on the back end.
For more information:
https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-365/roadmap?filters=Access
https://powerapps.microsoft.com/et-ee/blog/announcing-power-apps-microsoft-access-security-mobility-new-experiences/
- I am not impressed by what I've seen of Dataverse so far. For very low end applications, perhaps it's acceptable. One of the benefits is that it abstracts away a lot of the details. One of the drawbacks is that abstracting away details leaves you with a limited ability to customize or expand.
At this point, I don't know any serious Access developer participating in the public beta, and none have expressed interest in doing so.
We also have no idea yet about performance; whether it will be any better than with SharePoint lists or not. Time will tell.I am not a professional developer so I am looking at this from a different viewpoint. It may turn out to be exactly the feature I need even though it would not be given a second look by a professional developer. I have been hopeful and cautiously optimistic since this was added to the roadmap.
But as you say, time will tell.
- Good to know thanks
Well, ONE option certainly is to go to a VPN, but I'd hardly say you "have" to take that path. Many organizations do that very successfully, of course. I would NOT try to run such a setup with the FE on your home computer and the BE in the office. In my experience, performance is marginal. When I had to do that, it was okay for me, as a consultant, to log in for a brief maintenance/trouble-shooting session, but I wouldn't ask a user to do that all day every day for their regular work.
Remote Desktop works great. In that scenario, there needs to be a dedicated computer inside the office for each user, though. In other words, available hardware is going to be a factor. That said, it's much better performing where it can be done. You could also set up Remote Desktop server but I have no experience with that and can't speak to how well it would fit your scenario.
There is at least one other option to consider, remote hosted SQL Server or other server-based database (MySQL, etc.) Performance is a consideration, as is cost, but it eliminates the need for having in office computers dedicated to external users.
- Thanks George, that might be the solution. We already have desktops in the office for everyone. We would just have to remember to turn them on. I'll do some more research and give it a try. Thanks again for your help.
Hi JasonC777 ,
you have to setup a vpn at office. This will allow you to connect to your back end at the office from your front end at home.
of course it work as well as how fast is your connection at home and at office (look at both connection speed, download and upload to chose)
The second solution is a remote connection (anydesk, teamviewer or similar) to connect to your pc at the office from your pc at home. This solution il better for performance of the database (because data don't traver over the internet) but you have to have PCs always on at the office for every user.
Well, actually anydesk (and I think other) allow to swich on your pc remotely, so you can suthdown your pc and start it remotely when needed.
Ciao
- Thanks David. I am going to give remote desktop a try as we already have desktops for each user in the office. Thanks
