MS Access Licenses

[Proficient]

Hi All,
I am in need of desperate help. My friend made an Access
Database for a Client of mine in MS Access 2003 then he converted it to
Access 97 because the client machines are Windows 98 and they dont have
Access installed.
Along with this database in 97 we are going to Install Access 97
RUNTIME files - the client have around 50 machines.
Now my question is - before we install all this, DO we need any kind of
licenses from Microsoft? if so, what type of licenses? is it legal to
install Access 97 Runtime files on the client machines? I downloaded
these runtime files from the internet. Please advise, i'd highly
appreciate it.

Regards.

 

['69 Camaro]

Hi.

is it legal to
install Access 97 Runtime files on the client machines? I downloaded
these runtime files from the internet.

You can't legally install the Access 97 Runtime on other computers unless
the owner of the computer or you (or your friend, the Access developer)
already own the Office 97 Developers Edition, which grants unlimited
licenses of the Access 97 Runtime version. If none of you already owns it,
then the bad news is that ODE 97 has been off of store shelves and out of
circulation for many years. It's very unlikely that you'll find someone who
can sell you a copy.

It's possible to purchase a newer Microsoft Office Developer's version that
allows you unlimited licenses for the Runtime version for that version of
Access. However, the latest one is for Microsoft Office 2003 (and it's now
called the Access Developer Extensions, part of VSTO 2005), which won't do
you any good, unless your client is willing to upgrade to a newer operating
system that supports .Net Framework 1.1 (requires Windows 2000 SP-3 or
Windows XP). The Microsoft Office XP Developers Edition is the most recent
version that will create a Runtime installation that will run on the Windows
98 computers.

If you don't get the Office developer's version for the unlimited Runtime
licenses, then the client is legally responsible for purchasing the retail
version of Access for each computer he owns that Access is installed on.

BTW, your friend developed the database for a multiuser environment, not a
single user database file that everyone will share on the networked server.
Correct?

HTH.
Gunny

See http://www.QBuilt.com for all your database needs.
See http://www.Access.QBuilt.com for Microsoft Access tips and tutorials.
http://www.Access.QBuilt.com/html/expert_contributors2.html for contact
info.

 

[Proficient]

Gunny,
I cant thank you enough for such information that you
provided. You asked me a question about multi-user.
Actually this is how the database will run, It has two modules, one for
Central location and one for the Branch locations(About 50 branches).
The idea is that the branches will collect their data and save it
locally. Then once a week either via internet or manually those files
will be moved to the Central location and the data will be imported in
Central location module. I hope this all make sense

Based on this information that I just wrote, does anything change?
Please let me know.

Once again thank you for all your help.

Regards.

 

[Proficient]

Gunny,
Though I have replied to your previous msg. After reading
your message again I have couple of other questions.
1. If we purchaseMS Office XP Developers Edition will it create RunTime
files to be installed on Windows 98?
2. Additionally, since I am not familiar with MS licensing. Does it
come on a peice of paper? I mean if we purchase Developers Edition,
will we get a license on paper saying that we are allowed to distribute
Runtime files? if so, do we have to give this copy to the client also?
how does it work pal? Please help.

Regards.

 

['69 Camaro]

Hi.

1. If we purchaseMS Office XP Developers Edition will it create RunTime
files to be installed on Windows 98?

It comes with a Package Deployment Wizard, enabling you to create a package
that installs on the customer's computer. I can't say that people speak
very highly of it. Many developers have gotten fed up with it and use Wise
or Inno or another third-party package installer to install their database
applications with the Access Runtime.

2. Additionally, since I am not familiar with MS licensing. Does it
come on a peice of paper?

Yes. It's called a Certificate of Authenticity.

if we purchase Developers Edition,
will we get a license on paper saying that we are allowed to distribute
Runtime files?

I don't think that the Certificate of Authenticity shows anything about the
unlimited Runtime licenses. Somewhere on the box or paperwork that comes
with the Microsoft Office Developer's Edition (MOD) will be a mention of the
Runtime license. You don't specifically need that part, because Microsoft
grants the unlimited Runtime license to the owner of the MOD, so if you can
show that you own the MOD with your Certificate of Authenticity, then you
can distribute the Runtime versions on as many computers as you need to.
You don't need additional proof.

if so, do we have to give this copy to the client also?

I don't think it will photocopy. You might give them your product number
(not the product key) after the MOD is installed on your computer so that if
they ever get audited, they have proof of a legitimate Runtime license for
each of their computers that was granted by you, the legitimate owner of a
copy the MOD. You can draw up some official paperwork, such as a letter on
your official letterhead naming their company as the recipient of the
Runtime licenses, and listing the number of their computers that you
installed the Runtime version, your product number of the MOD granting you
the unlimited Runtime license, your name (or company name), and the date of
this transaction.

HTH.
Gunny

See http://www.QBuilt.com for all your database needs.
See http://www.Access.QBuilt.com for Microsoft Access tips and tutorials.
http://www.Access.QBuilt.com/html/expert_contributors2.html for contact
info.

 

['69 Camaro]

Hi.

It has two modules, one for
Central location and one for the Branch locations(About 50 branches).
The idea is that the branches will collect their data and save it
locally. Then once a week either via internet or manually those files
will be moved to the Central location and the data will be imported in
Central location module.

Then this is not a networked, multiuser database, but it's a candidate for
it in the future if any of the branches install their database application
on more than one computer at their branch, or if the branches ever connect
to each other on a network. For things to consider about a multiuser
database before actually implementing one, please see the following Web
pages:

A link to the tip on split databases:

http://www.Access.QBuilt.com/html/gem_tips.html#SplitDB

A link to Tom Wickerath's article on performance of multiuser databases,
"Implementing a Successful Multiuser Access/JET Application":

http://www.Access.QBuilt.com/html/articles.html

You may also be tempted to use Access Replication to sync the data from the
branch offices to the central location, but I'd advise against it. It's
difficult to do Replication correctly, and even when you do, things can go
wrong, and you'll find yourself rebuilding the database way too often. If
you eventually go with Replication to make the data gathering easier, use a
client/server database such as SQL Server. Even SQL Server 2005 Express is
free, so you might want to experiment with that.

HTH.
Gunny

See http://www.QBuilt.com for all your database needs.
See http://www.Access.QBuilt.com for Microsoft Access tips and tutorials.
http://www.Access.QBuilt.com/html/expert_contributors2.html for contact
info.

 

[Proficient]

Gunny,
Thanks a bunch pal. I truly am thankful to you for all your
help in this matter.

Regards.

 

['69 Camaro]

You're welcome. Glad to help.

Gunny

See http://www.QBuilt.com for all your database needs.
See http://www.Access.QBuilt.com for Microsoft Access tips and tutorials.
http://www.Access.QBuilt.com/html/expert_contributors2.html for contact
info.