Viewing .mdb on the web; editing .mdb on the web

[Guest]

From what I have studied in the Office XP software group, it should be relatively easy to design web access of an Access database. I have created a Data Access page that does work with a static version of our db which resides on the FrontPage web server of our ISP. They tell me that to be able to update the db would require making it globally available and present sizable security issuues for the data within the database

Yet, several places in the documentation of MS on the web and in its user guides, I still find reason to believe that my needs should be easy to satisfy.

Here's what I have. The Database is an employee record-keeping method for union members. MSAccess is used to manipulate the data via menu-driven user interface. Presently, that is done by hosting the db on a local 2000 server running SQL 2000 as well. Users must have a copy of Access installed on their workstation as well as a copy of the menu application db. Remote sites must connect via VPN to view the database - they make no changes

Here's what I want. Provide for data record sorting and viewing (no need for spreadsheets, pivot tables, or charting) so that a remote site can look up a specific member's information. Eventually, I'd like to be able to do all the functions of the Access menu program (data entry, report printing) via the web rather than depending on a VPN or local SQL server. I believe this would be a much easier thing to administer than having to keep each computer current with Access, training users how to run Access, install on new computers, etc, etc. I do have a static IP DLS full-time connection so I could host the db for web access if that is preferred

Can I do this? Can you direct me to resources for implementing this?

 

[Kevin3NF]

Data Access Pages require every user to have the office wweomponents
installed on their machine for the version your pages were created in. If
you can control that, you may well be on your way. If not, then you would
need to move to a web technology like ASP and pretty much recode everything
in your forms and reports.

--
Kevin Hill
President
3NF Consulting

www.3nf-inc.com/NewsGroups.htm

From what I have studied in the Office XP software group, it should be

relatively easy to design web access of an Access database. I have created a
Data Access page that does work with a static version of our db which
resides on the FrontPage web server of our ISP. They tell me that to be able
to update the db would require making it globally available and present
sizable security issuues for the data within the database.

Yet, several places in the documentation of MS on the web and in its user

guides, I still find reason to believe that my needs should be easy to
satisfy.

Here's what I have. The Database is an employee record-keeping method for

union members. MSAccess is used to manipulate the data via menu-driven user
interface. Presently, that is done by hosting the db on a local 2000 server
running SQL 2000 as well. Users must have a copy of Access installed on
their workstation as well as a copy of the menu application db. Remote sites
must connect via VPN to view the database - they make no changes.

Here's what I want. Provide for data record sorting and viewing (no need

for spreadsheets, pivot tables, or charting) so that a remote site can look
up a specific member's information. Eventually, I'd like to be able to do
all the functions of the Access menu program (data entry, report printing)
via the web rather than depending on a VPN or local SQL server. I believe
this would be a much easier thing to administer than having to keep each
computer current with Access, training users how to run Access, install on
new computers, etc, etc. I do have a static IP DLS full-time connection so I
could host the db for web access if that is preferred.

 

[Guest]

Thanks Kevin - that was my thinking, too. I have attempted to access the page via two or three other computers. After installing the software indicated by the message that comes up on screen, I still get the screen that says the software needs to be installed. I will reboot these computers today to see if that changes things. I have tried a '98 machine, a 2000 machine, and an XP machine - all with current patches and versions of browsers installed. All have an old version of Office 97, so they all needed the softawre to be able to view - but still cannot view

Rather than recode, I would be very happy to upgrade these units to Office and Windows XP - it is a small organization with which I am working at present since there are less than twenty computers that need access to the data via the web

Further thoughts? Have you done this yourself? Are you available for detailed help

Todd Fishe
Presiden
Computer Assistance, Inc.

 

[Kevin3NF]

Todd,

I have in fact done one DAP. It was such a pain that I abandoned the whole
idea. There are a couple of utilities available at www.xlinesoft.com that
help get Access data to the web. I have tried one, but not both (and am not
affiliated with the company).

One other alternative would be to set up a terminal server an allow your
users to remote in, which allows them to access Access without re-coding
anything. Having just re-read your original post, that may not suit your
needs.

I am available for detailed help, from general Q&A on the phone to full
implementation of whatever solution is appropriate. Hit my link below for
ways to get in touch offline should you desire paid assistance.

HTH,

--
Kevin Hill
President
3NF Consulting

www.3nf-inc.com/NewsGroups.htm

Thanks Kevin - that was my thinking, too. I have attempted to access the

page via two or three other computers. After installing the software
indicated by the message that comes up on screen, I still get the screen
that says the software needs to be installed. I will reboot these computers
today to see if that changes things. I have tried a '98 machine, a 2000
machine, and an XP machine - all with current patches and versions of
browsers installed. All have an old version of Office 97, so they all needed
the softawre to be able to view - but still cannot view.

Rather than recode, I would be very happy to upgrade these units to Office

and Windows XP - it is a small organization with which I am working at
present since there are less than twenty computers that need access to the
data via the web.