Access Integration Opportunities

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Recently the question was pose, "What opportunities exist to integrate ACCESS
with other programs?" Naturally I was able to answer with the standard
Microsoft products such as VB, Excel, Outlook, and Powerpoint, but that was
as far as I could go. I know that there are other opportunities available and
would appreciate some suggestions on both additonal MS products as well as
any more common 3rd party titles or just their description.
Thanks for the help.
 
Define "integrate"?

At a minimum, Access can be programmed to write standard text files which in
turn are used as input by other software that reads text files. Lots of
software packages out there can read text files. If this fits your
definition of "integration", then any software can probably integrate with
Access. Just name one!

I have "integrated" (i.e. different level or scope of integration) Access
with a multitude of software packages:
-stock portfolio management,
-US tax calculation software,
-oil and gas forcast/engineering software,
-oil and gas accounting software.

Immanuel Sibero
 
Recently the question was pose, "What opportunities exist to integrate ACCESS
with other programs?" Naturally I was able to answer with the standard
Microsoft products such as VB, Excel, Outlook, and Powerpoint, but that was
as far as I could go. I know that there are other opportunities available and
would appreciate some suggestions on both additonal MS products as well as
any more common 3rd party titles or just their description.
Thanks for the help.
Click to expand...

As Immanuel said, it depends what you mean by integration. But how about
these:

- all VBA-compatible programs, including IIRC not just Microsoft
products such as Visio and Project but also WordPerfect, Autocad and
more.

- all programming/scripting/development tools that have an OLE module or
library (i.e. not just the usual Windows programming languages but
VBScript, Jscript, Perl and AFAIK Python, Ruby, Rexx, Uncle, Tom, and
Cobbleigh.).

- because Access VBA can send command lines to the Windows shell and
read or create text files, just about any program that reads STDIN or
writes to STDOUT.

- just about any program that can hold a DDE conversation.

-not to mention Exchange, SQL Server and its competitors, or Net
services.
 
Thank you for your response Immanuel. It made me realize something. There is
integration and then there is interaction, I believe that what I was looking
for orignally, however not clear to me at the time, was what applications can
Access interact with not just provide output for. Your initial response was
wonderful and made me re-evaluate my question. Thank you again for your
response. It helped me better understand my own question.
Clay

Immanuel Sibero said:
Define "integrate"?

At a minimum, Access can be programmed to write standard text files which in
turn are used as input by other software that reads text files. Lots of
software packages out there can read text files. If this fits your
definition of "integration", then any software can probably integrate with
Access. Just name one!

I have "integrated" (i.e. different level or scope of integration) Access
with a multitude of software packages:
-stock portfolio management,
-US tax calculation software,
-oil and gas forcast/engineering software,
-oil and gas accounting software.

Immanuel Sibero
Click to expand...
 
Clay,

John responded below with an excellent summary of some 5 different ways that
Access can "interact" with other software. You might want to examine futher
each of the different ways to gain understanding of exactly what happens
with each different way. You can then determine which way satisfies your
definition of "interaction" and which doesnt.

I have used the VBA method, OLE and DDE method both separately and in
combination between Access and other software. To me, all of them qualify as
interaction/integration. I'm not sure if there is a software that can't do
at least one of the above ways of interactions.


HTH,
Immanuel Sibero
 
Thank you John, I believe these suggestions definitely will help in my
developing an understanding of the question. I appreciate your assistance and
direction.
Sincerely,
 
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