Total Access Ultimate Suite vs Visual Studio

R

RobUCSD

Does anyone have experience using FMS's Total Access Ultimate Suite? Would it
be better to get Visual Studio?

I would appreciate any input. Thanks, Rob
 
D

Douglas J. Steele

I don't think you can compare the two products.

Total Access Ultimate Suite is a number of products that allow you to
analyze what you've done in an Access application, automate parts of it,
provide additional controls, provide code samples and so on. You use it with
Access.

Visual Studio is a development environment. While you can create
applications using Visual Studio that can interact with data in a Jet
database (an MDB file), it doesn't really work with Access.
 
R

RobUCSD

Thanks Doug, have you ever used/seen Total Access Ultimate Suite and do you
think it is worth the money ($1500per seat)?

Thanks, Robert
 
D

Douglas J. Steele

The products from FMS are certainly top-notch, but I haven't actually got
any experience using Ultimate Suite.

Hopefully some users will see this thread, and offer their opinions.
 
J

John W. Vinson

Thanks Doug, have you ever used/seen Total Access Ultimate Suite and do you
think it is worth the money ($1500per seat)?
Click to expand...

I haven't used all of the FMS products, but the ones I have used have
been excellent. I'd say that the full suite would be very useful for
someone who spends their days developing (or debugging existing)
Access databases. It may be overkill for someone who is just
developing a couple of databases as part of their everyday work...
unless they have a lavish budget!

John W. Vinson [MVP]
 
R

RobUCSD

I am developing a multi user access 2003 application for a complex and little
known sub-specialty in cardiology known as Electrophysiology. This
application tracks patients from initial visit thru the continuum of care,
i.e. initial consult, med changes, procedures, and follow-up. The app will be
required to have several HL7 interfaces with the Hospital Information System
(HIS), pacemaker and ICD vendors applications, and technical equipment
software.

Additionally, I will be overseeing the converting of an existing access 97
data base, that is very large and complex, to Access 2003.

So I am wondering what would be the best development tools. VSTO, Visual
Studio, FMS's Total Access Suite, or some combination of these.

Your input is greatly appreciated. Thanks, Rob
 
A

Arvin Meyer [MVP]

I have and use a version of the Total Access Enterprise Suite. FMS products
are outstanding and definitely worth the money, if you have a need for them.
I'd carefully look at each product and determine if you will use it before
making a decision. I cannot, for example, develop efficiently without Speed
Ferret (a find and replace utility). Others prefer a different product.
Since I cannot stand in your shoes, I can't tell you whether or not Total
Access is indispensable. I can say, that it has paid for itself in my work.
--
Arvin Meyer, MCP, MVP
http://www.datastrat.com
http://www.mvps.org/access
http://www.accessmvp.com
 
G

George Nicholson

I don't think VSTO has anything Access related other than the Access
Developers extensions, which 1) are necessary if you are distributing
Runtime versions of your apps (since they contain the license that makes it
legal to do so) and 2) contain the packaging wizard(s), which people have a
love-hate relationship with. Some prefer 3rd party installers.

I don't think Visual Studio has anything you can use unless you plan to
re-write your Access front ends in .Net.

Of the FMS products I have only used Access Analyzer & have found it to be
well worth the investment. I can't speak to the other parts of the Suite,
but I always felt this was the can't-live-without key element of the suite.
Your mileage may vary.

HTH,
 
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