Access and Groove

[roccogrand]

I am looking for tips on using Groove to share Access 2007 databases. I have
been successful adding a file to a workspace but I have not found a reference
to Access in the Groove literature yet.

How well does Access play with Groove? (I know that I have to turn off
blocking.)

Is the best way to determine which records were changed to use an audit trail?

What is the maximum Access file size that should be shared?

Are there any security conflicts with Groove's encryption?

Are there an synchronization issues?

Comments about personal experiences will be appreciated.

Thanks.

LDN

 

[aaron.kempf]

I don't believe that Access MDB supports
groove
wireless connections
VPN

Thanks

-Aaron

 

[roccogrand]

Sorry for the confusion, my question is the other way around, how well does
Groove support Access? I want to invite others to contribute content to an
Access database. In other words I am trying to use Groove as a server.

LDN

 

[aaron.kempf]

I think that is the most ridiculous thing I've ever heard in my life.

If you want a server; move to SQL Server.

It works great over a VPN.

Thanks

-Aaron

 

[roccogrand]

Thanks.

I'll keep looking for answers.

LDN

I think that is the most ridiculous thing I've ever heard in my life.

If you want a server; move to SQL Server.

It works great over a VPN.

Thanks

-Aaron

 

[roccogrand]

So Aaron,

What would you say about using Access with SharePoint?

LDN

 

[aaron.kempf]

I'd say it's a waste of time.
Move to ADP.

ADP can work across Groove and VPN and Wireless.. and the Public
Internet.

Can SharePoint?

-Aaron

 

[aaron.kempf]

Access with SharePoint is what the Access kids -- you know the ones
that don't have the mental capacity for SQL Server -- are stuck with.

Personally; I don't know why you're scared of SQL Server.

Honestly; It's just as easy to use as MS Access MDB.. I mean; drag and
drop LoL-- You've got all the same designers.
Check it out, it's called ADP.

File, New, Files of Type = 'Access Data Project'.
Give it a path; and a connection and you're in business.

Forward the SQL Server Port - what is it 1433 to someone and they can
interact with SQL Server from their home. Without a VPN.

I thnk that it's a complete no-brainer for everyone and anyone.

Thanks

-Aaron

 

[Tony Toews [MVP]]

What would you say about using Access with SharePoint?

Access 2007 and Sharepoint do work together. How well I'm not quite
sure. I'd suggest starting another thread with Access and Sharepoint
in the subject.

Also what is your objective? What kind of data and how many users and
how distributed are those users who you want to access the data.

Tony
--
Tony Toews, Microsoft Access MVP
Please respond only in the newsgroups so that others can
read the entire thread of messages.
Microsoft Access Links, Hints, Tips & Accounting Systems at
http://www.granite.ab.ca/accsmstr.htm
Tony's Microsoft Access Blog - http://msmvps.com/blogs/access/

 

[roccogrand]

I am lost. There isn't a button on the Access ribbon that says File.

I'm not really all that scared of SQL Server, in fact I am looking forward
to using the Dundas controls as soon as I get around to installing SQL Server
2008 on my laptop. And I am really interested in using the Geometry and
Geography data types. All the DBA stuff does concern, it seems like you need
a full time DBA just keep SQL Server tuned. And the movement towards 64 bit
processing in the enterprise database world sends my blood into a clot cycle.

My reasons for asking about Access and Groove is that I work with and for
people geographically distributed around the country, and I want to not only
share Word and Excel files with them, I also want to share Access databases.

The capabilities of Groove are intriguing. I can get through my colleagues'
firewalls and I can see when they are on line. And Groove automatically
synchronizes files between the team members. If Groove will synchronize
ACCDB files then I will have a distributed database, my term for a data
server.

My original question had to do with the limitations, if any, of including
Access files in Groove workspaces. I would like to know if I should keep the
Access databases to less than 1 GB or do I need to 'split' them (not frontend
and backend but multiple versions of essentially the same database).

What happens when the same record is edited by two users? Are there any
problems if some users have Access runtime? What is the best way to maintain
an audit trail at the record level? How well does other programs work with
Groove-hosted databases? In particular, if I use Access to serve data to
MapPoint, what are the gotchas?

LDN

 

[roccogrand]

Thanks Tony,

I have ben trying to get through Peter Serzo's article in the April Technet
Mag about Access-MOSS integration for the past day. It contains a lot about
the how but not much about the how well.

For someone who has not implemented a MOSS solution, this 'scares' me. It
is also foreign because I don't have a MOSS environment to play with.

I'll wait until I figure out Groove before venturing further into the abyss
of MOSS.

LDN

 

[aaron.kempf]

I'm implemented many a sharePoint solution.

I just don't think that it is scalable enough for what it is meant to
do.

I mean.. Honestly; It couldnt' import 15,000 records in 90 minutes no
matter how hard I tried.
Why is SharePoint _SUCH_ a central piece of Access when it was _SUCH_
a failure in 2003?

-Aaron

 

[aaron.kempf]

SharePoint is great-- I don't mean to be too negative about it.

I just stuck it in the same category as Access MDB - not scalable
enough for real world usage.

-Aaron

 

[aaron.kempf]

and you sure DO NOT need a fulltime DBA to keep it tuned.

Feel free to MSN IM me any time that you need help, ok?
(e-mail address removed)

I've been using SQL with Access for the past decade; and I've got my
SQL 2005 DBA certification. I really have been having an affair with
Reporting Services these past couple of years though.. LoL

I'm too busy for real work - but I'd gladly put you on the right
track... help you put your sail in the right direction.

What OS are you on?
It just basically comes down to (MSDE + Windows XP) or (SQL 2005 and
Access 2007 and SQL 2005).

You really don't need a file menu; but hit the office button and then
NEW and then files of type = 'Access Data Projects'.

If you know you're way around Access 2007 it will be quite easy to
build tables, views, sprocs in SQL Server.. and never worry about that
piece of crap database ever again.

Thanks

I love Access.. I'd just rather eat poop than use MDB.

-Aaron
(e-mail address removed)

 

[aaron.kempf]

Tony;

This is my thread; please do not follow me around.

I've had enough of your criminal activity already.

I will not let you discredit me ever again.

Stay the heck away from my threads, Tony.
I insist, because I do not feel safe in my own house with Tony Toews
stalking me every 5 minutes.

I just wake up; you constantly post 5 minutes after I leave for work..
so I think that you must be watching me or something.

I just won't put up with your stalkign Tony; it is not appropriate.
I'm sorry that your little crack-baby database doesnt' work with
Groove.

Stick a cork in it Tony.

Thanks

-Aaron

 

[Tony Toews [MVP]]

I'll wait until I figure out Groove before venturing further into the abyss
of MOSS.

I've never heard of any integration between Access and Groove. There
very well may be some but I've heard a lot about Access and
Sharepoint. So don't spend too much time chasing what may turn out to
be fog. <smile>

Tony
--
Tony Toews, Microsoft Access MVP
Please respond only in the newsgroups so that others can
read the entire thread of messages.
Microsoft Access Links, Hints, Tips & Accounting Systems at
http://www.granite.ab.ca/accsmstr.htm
Tony's Microsoft Access Blog - http://msmvps.com/blogs/access/

 

[Tony Toews [MVP]]

I am lost. There isn't a button on the Access ribbon that says File.

Click on the Office button on the upper left hand corner.

The capabilities of Groove are intriguing. I can get through my colleagues'
firewalls and I can see when they are on line. And Groove automatically
synchronizes files between the team members. If Groove will synchronize
ACCDB files then I will have a distributed database, my term for a data
server.

That I strongly doubt.

Now Access does have built in replication which may do what you want.
However SQL Server or Terminal Server may be a better solution for a
distributed environment.

What happens when the same record is edited by two users?
Exactly.

Are there any
problems if some users have Access runtime? What is the best way to maintain
an audit trail at the record level?

There's a simple example at
ACC2000: How to Create an Audit Trail of Record Changes in a Form
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;Q197592

Audit Trail - Log changes at the record level at:
http://allenbrowne.com/AppAudit.html
The article addresses edits, inserts, and deletes for a form and
subform.

Modules: Maintain a history of changes
http://www.mvps.org/access/modules/mdl0021.htm
The History Table routine is designed to write history records that
track the changes made to fields in one or more tables.

In particular, if I use Access to serve data to MapPoint, what are the gotchas?

For that visit the MapPoint newsgroup(s).

Tony
--
Tony Toews, Microsoft Access MVP
Please respond only in the newsgroups so that others can
read the entire thread of messages.
Microsoft Access Links, Hints, Tips & Accounting Systems at
http://www.granite.ab.ca/accsmstr.htm
Tony's Microsoft Access Blog - http://msmvps.com/blogs/access/

 

[aaron.kempf]

Access and SharePoint don't work well with a 'reasonable' amount of
records.

Case closed.

Move to SQL, kid.

Any Tony? STAY AWAY FROM MY POSTS; I REFUSE TO LET YOU STALK ME LIKE
THIS.

This is already a criminal affair-- I refuse to let your stalking my
posts continue.

-Aaron

 

[roccogrand]

OK guys. All that I care about today is including Access files in a Groove
workspace.

Thanks.

LDN

 

[Pete D.]

Your good, problem is Aaron, he doesn't play well with others, I suspect he
is off his medicine again. He only wants to talk SQL and all
converstations/treads he gets into will be twisted around to SQL. He has
proven to have little knowlege of SQL which means his lack of knowlege in
the area he claims expertise reflects his lack of knowlage in any area. He
has posted notes claiming to work for Microsoft many times which reflects
his lack of confidence in himself without fake credentials. His next post
will be to accuse me of stalking him and that he will not stand for it.
Best thing you can do is to block him.