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Small MS Access Application - MySQL backend - Best Host?
My company has been using an MS Access application for 20 years. The need for shared data between users is minimal, and we've gotten by storing the db on Dropbox and pulling it onto our desktops when...
- Beware "free" anything, including remotely hosted database services. You get what you pay for in most things; this is one area where you might want to think carefully about that. This is not a private photo collection. This is your organization's business data. How long would you be down if this "free" remotely hosted database service doesn't work out?
I'm not saying it's impossible, but I am saying that your employer might not be all that excited about moving their data (and it is the company's data, after all) into the cloud this way.
Make sure your employer knows exactly what you are doing with their data.
If you can't afford a small fee for a monthly remotely hosted MySQL database, then I'd have to wonder if the need is really there.
Another consideration, which I have personally encountered, is whether a "free" web hosting service is going to let you connect your Access front ends remotely to the MySQL on their site. They are, I believe, mostly aimed at supporting web sites. If you do go there, look before you leap.
peiyezhu Thanks for your reply. I don't completely understand what you mean. What host are you referring to? Can you recommend a free host for a MySQL database?
Beware "free" anything, including remotely hosted database services. You get what you pay for in most things; this is one area where you might want to think carefully about that. This is not a private photo collection. This is your organization's business data. How long would you be down if this "free" remotely hosted database service doesn't work out?
I'm not saying it's impossible, but I am saying that your employer might not be all that excited about moving their data (and it is the company's data, after all) into the cloud this way.
Make sure your employer knows exactly what you are doing with their data.
If you can't afford a small fee for a monthly remotely hosted MySQL database, then I'd have to wonder if the need is really there.
Another consideration, which I have personally encountered, is whether a "free" web hosting service is going to let you connect your Access front ends remotely to the MySQL on their site. They are, I believe, mostly aimed at supporting web sites. If you do go there, look before you leap.
I'm not saying it's impossible, but I am saying that your employer might not be all that excited about moving their data (and it is the company's data, after all) into the cloud this way.
Make sure your employer knows exactly what you are doing with their data.
If you can't afford a small fee for a monthly remotely hosted MySQL database, then I'd have to wonder if the need is really there.
Another consideration, which I have personally encountered, is whether a "free" web hosting service is going to let you connect your Access front ends remotely to the MySQL on their site. They are, I believe, mostly aimed at supporting web sites. If you do go there, look before you leap.
- Late to the party, but:
I agree with George - important data is worth the cost to store it properly.
For a small monthly amount, you can host data in Azure SQL and connect to it from your Access application. That will probably be the simplest and cheapest way to have a reliable, backed-up, professional solution.
Can you report back with what you decided to do?
