Database on the Internet

  • Thread starter Thread starter Susy
  • Start date Start date
S

Susy

Our company has a web page and we regularly used to post
Excel files of data for scientists to download.

Now I've created a secure database with screens for read-
only users to view and export that data to Excel. This is
a much better way to present all our data. The plan was to
post this database on our web page and let viewers export
data or view graphs. We assume that our users have Access
on their home (or work) machines and have posted a message
on the button stating that viewers must have a copy of
Access to view the data.

Now the contractor who handles our web page says that it
can't be done - Access won't work on the Internet. She
admits she knows nothing about databases. But this is why
we spent so much time and money on this large and
complicated (and useful!) database. Is there a way we can
salvage it and somehow post it on the Internet. There will
be no data entry involved. Data access pages? Split the
database? I'll learn how to do anything I have to.
Anyone???

Thanks.
..
 
I hope that you are not putting the original database on
the web. This is a NO NO!!!!
Access can not be shared on the web. If people are needing
to view data over the web, you are going to need some ASP
capability.
If the users are needing to edit, add, delete data from
the web, this will not work (sorry).
Just create some reports that users can download or some
spreadsheets. There is no way that this will work.
Create some reports, save them as .snp (snapthots) and put
those on the web.

Sal
 
All I want is for viewers to look at data - no editing,
adding or deleting.

They can export to Excel from one screen but they get
censored data.

The reports are already created but dynamic - that is the
viewer can choose the well and a date range, so the
possibilities are endless.

What is ASP capability?
 
Have you considered converting your Access Database to SQL
tables and run it in an SQL server? I do believe you can
do that easily and then shared your database (read and
write if you desire so) with the world.
Just a tought
Gustavo
 
ASP (Active Server Pages) www.asp101.com

Have them define 'deploy over the web'. Are they expecting the ability to
enter data via the Internet or are they wanting to return information to the
web or both? Are they expecting the same ability they have within in the
database as they would on the web? If so, they will be sorely disappointed.
If the answer to these questions are yes, then you need to learn a server
side type programming language, such as ASP or ASP.Net; JSP, PHP or Perl.
Not all languages can be deployed on all web servers. Not all languages
support connections to SQL Server. Bottom line: Have them define their
requirements on paper.

The language you use is based on what web server will be used; is it NT
based, is it Unix based? Are you hosting your own web server or are you
going to contract with an external ISP to host. If you use an external ISP,
then you need to make sure they can support your web requirements. If you
are hosting you own web server locally, then you need to make sure you have
all the necessary security in place (firewalls, routers, virus software
etc).

You could use Data Access Pages; however this medium isn't suited for the
Internet. DAP's are better for Intranets.

It is good your database is split; it will make it easier to move the tables
up to SQL Server. You wouldn't exactly deploy the application to all the
companies. One site would be chosen to host the SQL Server and web server
(both should reside at the same location) and all users in the company would
log in to work with the pages.

If you are not familiar with SQL Server AND familiar with server side
programming; I would suggest you do not take this endeavor on your own. I
would hire an outside developer who is familiar with this type of web
development and learn as they develop the site. This way you could learn as
you go and your company could rely on you maintaining and updating the site
in the future.
 
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