Making an Access - SQL db solution portable

I have an Access application which runs in a server enviroment where I have
an SQL server that the Access connects to. The customer is so happy with my
soultion and told another company about it, they would like something like
that, so I need to make a copy of the setup to a cd to send to the other
company - as a demo. They have no employees with enough IT knowledge to
install a SQL Server/MSDE and the import the database and setting up Access
to connect to the new server. Remote control is not an option, neither is
"local control" since they will not pay for my trip (transatlantic) unless
they want me to make a soultion for them...

I need to take the solution and make it portable. But I am not sure how to
do it, I need a "downsizing" wizard or something? A solution could be to
make "some kind of installer" which installes a MSDE and loads the data into
it and connects the Access database to the new db server. Probably the best
solution, if there is no easy way to make it portable.

I would asume there are some tools available for this or similar purposes,
but I don't know any...

My concern is also the fact that there are some views in the SQL database
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/information-technology/11840-making-access-sql-db-solution-portable.html
and also a lot of the VBA code in forms and reports has been modified to fit
the SQL, during upsizing some years back... I wouldn't like to re-write the
rewritten code, just for a demo.

I'm pretty sure I'm not the only one who has ever wanted to do this, if you
have done it, please let me know how. I welcome any suggestions. )
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=11840

Thanks in advance

Martin Gregersen
martin@gregersen.dk

 
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How about a simple mssql backup of the database?
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=11840
Then they could just import the backup database on their system

Pieter

"Martin Gregersen" wrote in message
news:eWiKjFUlGHA.2420@TK2MSFTNGP04.phx.gbl...
>I have an Access application which runs in a server enviroment where I have
>an SQL server that the Access connects to. The customer is so happy with my
>soultion and told another company about it, they would like something like
>that, so I need to make a copy of the setup to a cd to send to the other
>company - as a demo. They have no employees with enough IT knowledge to
>install a SQL Server/MSDE and the import the database and setting up Access
>to connect to the new server. Remote control is not an option, neither is
>"local control" since they will not pay for my trip (transatlantic) unless
>they want me to make a soultion for them...
>
> I need to take the solution and make it portable. But I am not sure how to
> do it, I need a "downsizing" wizard or something? A solution could be to
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=11840
> make "some kind of installer" which installes a MSDE and loads the data
> into it and connects the Access database to the new db server. Probably
> the best solution, if there is no easy way to make it portable.
>
> I would asume there are some tools available for this or similar purposes,
> but I don't know any...
>
> My concern is also the fact that there are some views in the SQL database
> and also a lot of the VBA code in forms and reports has been modified to
> fit the SQL, during upsizing some years back... I wouldn't like to
> re-write the rewritten code, just for a demo.
>
> I'm pretty sure I'm not the only one who has ever wanted to do this, if
> you have done it, please let me know how. I welcome any suggestions. )
>
> Thanks in advance
>
> Martin Gregersen
> martin@gregersen.dk
>
>
>

How about a simple mssql backup of the database?
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=11840
Then they could just import the backup database on their system

Pieter

"Martin Gregersen" wrote in message
news:eWiKjFUlGHA.2420@TK2MSFTNGP04.phx.gbl...
>I have an Access application which runs in a server enviroment where I have
>an SQL server that the Access connects to. The customer is so happy with my
>soultion and told another company about it, they would like something like
>that, so I need to make a copy of the setup to a cd to send to the other
>company - as a demo. They have no employees with enough IT knowledge to
>install a SQL Server/MSDE and the import the database and setting up Access
>to connect to the new server. Remote control is not an option, neither is
>"local control" since they will not pay for my trip (transatlantic) unless
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=11840
>they want me to make a soultion for them...
>
> I need to take the solution and make it portable. But I am not sure how to
> do it, I need a "downsizing" wizard or something? A solution could be to
> make "some kind of installer" which installes a MSDE and loads the data
> into it and connects the Access database to the new db server. Probably
> the best solution, if there is no easy way to make it portable.
>
> I would asume there are some tools available for this or similar purposes,
> but I don't know any...
>
> My concern is also the fact that there are some views in the SQL database
> and also a lot of the VBA code in forms and reports has been modified to
> fit the SQL, during upsizing some years back... I wouldn't like to
> re-write the rewritten code, just for a demo.
>
> I'm pretty sure I'm not the only one who has ever wanted to do this, if
> you have done it, please let me know how. I welcome any suggestions. )
>
> Thanks in advance
>
> Martin Gregersen
> martin@gregersen.dk
>
>
>



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I would say tell them to install MSDE and be done with it. If that's not an
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=11840
option maybe you could set up a remote demo over the internet? Run it
locally on your computer and let them view it in the web browser using
NetMeeting or whatever.

"Martin Gregersen" wrote in message
news:eWiKjFUlGHA.2420@TK2MSFTNGP04.phx.gbl...
>I have an Access application which runs in a server enviroment where I have
>an SQL server that the Access connects to. The customer is so happy with my
>soultion and told another company about it, they would like something like
>that, so I need to make a copy of the setup to a cd to send to the other
>company - as a demo. They have no employees with enough IT knowledge to
>install a SQL Server/MSDE and the import the database and setting up Access
>to connect to the new server. Remote control is not an option, neither is
>"local control" since they will not pay for my trip (transatlantic) unless
>they want me to make a soultion for them...
>
> I need to take the solution and make it portable. But I am not sure how to
> do it, I need a "downsizing" wizard or something? A solution could be to
> make "some kind of installer" which installes a MSDE and loads the data
> into it and connects the Access database to the new db server. Probably
> the best solution, if there is no easy way to make it portable.
>
> I would asume there are some tools available for this or similar purposes,
> but I don't know any...
>
> My concern is also the fact that there are some views in the SQL database
> and also a lot of the VBA code in forms and reports has been modified to
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=11840
> fit the SQL, during upsizing some years back... I wouldn't like to
> re-write the rewritten code, just for a demo.
>
> I'm pretty sure I'm not the only one who has ever wanted to do this, if
> you have done it, please let me know how. I welcome any suggestions. )
>
> Thanks in advance
>
> Martin Gregersen
> martin@gregersen.dk
>
>
>

Hi Martin,
Actually - you can make a setup, which will install MSDE, attach database
and then install all necessary components to run your application - but this
also time consuming task if you never did so.

I think that installing your application on windowsxp and then let them
connect to it with remote desktop it order to try - is most realistic option
for you


--
Best regards,
___________
Alex Dybenko (MVP)
http://alexdyb.blogspot.com
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=11840
http://www.PointLtd.com


"Martin Gregersen" wrote in message
news:eWiKjFUlGHA.2420@TK2MSFTNGP04.phx.gbl...
>I have an Access application which runs in a server enviroment where I have
>an SQL server that the Access connects to. The customer is so happy with my
>soultion and told another company about it, they would like something like
>that, so I need to make a copy of the setup to a cd to send to the other
>company - as a demo. They have no employees with enough IT knowledge to
>install a SQL Server/MSDE and the import the database and setting up Access
>to connect to the new server. Remote control is not an option, neither is
>"local control" since they will not pay for my trip (transatlantic) unless
>they want me to make a soultion for them...
>
> I need to take the solution and make it portable. But I am not sure how to
> do it, I need a "downsizing" wizard or something? A solution could be to
> make "some kind of installer" which installes a MSDE and loads the data
> into it and connects the Access database to the new db server. Probably
> the best solution, if there is no easy way to make it portable.
>
> I would asume there are some tools available for this or similar purposes,
> but I don't know any...
>
> My concern is also the fact that there are some views in the SQL database
> and also a lot of the VBA code in forms and reports has been modified to
> fit the SQL, during upsizing some years back... I wouldn't like to
> re-write the rewritten code, just for a demo.
>
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=11840
> I'm pretty sure I'm not the only one who has ever wanted to do this, if
> you have done it, please let me know how. I welcome any suggestions. )
>
> Thanks in advance
>
> Martin Gregersen
> martin@gregersen.dk
>
>
>

Hi Alex

I would like if you could tell me how to make such an installer, then I will
know and can make the best decission. They really need a copy to play with,
not just a demonstration online, they need to take every process of their
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=11840
production into consideration and then see would features they like/dislike
and so on.

Also I would like to know just to know ;o)

Thanks

Martin


"Alex Dybenko" wrote in message
news:OzFt1nUlGHA.1208@TK2MSFTNGP02.phx.gbl...
> Hi Martin,
> Actually - you can make a setup, which will install MSDE, attach database
> and then install all necessary components to run your application - but
> this also time consuming task if you never did so.
>
> I think that installing your application on windowsxp and then let them
> connect to it with remote desktop it order to try - is most realistic
> option for you
>
>
> --
> Best regards,
> ___________
> Alex Dybenko (MVP)
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=11840
> http://alexdyb.blogspot.com
> http://www.PointLtd.com
>
>
> "Martin Gregersen" wrote in message
> news:eWiKjFUlGHA.2420@TK2MSFTNGP04.phx.gbl...
>>I have an Access application which runs in a server enviroment where I
>>have an SQL server that the Access connects to. The customer is so happy
>>with my soultion and told another company about it, they would like
>>something like that, so I need to make a copy of the setup to a cd to send
>>to the other company - as a demo. They have no employees with enough IT
>>knowledge to install a SQL Server/MSDE and the import the database and
>>setting up Access to connect to the new server. Remote control is not an
>>option, neither is "local control" since they will not pay for my trip
>>(transatlantic) unless they want me to make a soultion for them...
>>
>> I need to take the solution and make it portable. But I am not sure how
>> to do it, I need a "downsizing" wizard or something? A solution could be
>> to make "some kind of installer" which installes a MSDE and loads the
>> data into it and connects the Access database to the new db server.
>> Probably the best solution, if there is no easy way to make it portable.
>>
>> I would asume there are some tools available for this or similar
>> purposes, but I don't know any...
>>
>> My concern is also the fact that there are some views in the SQL database
>> and also a lot of the VBA code in forms and reports has been modified to
>> fit the SQL, during upsizing some years back... I wouldn't like to
>> re-write the rewritten code, just for a demo.
>>
>> I'm pretty sure I'm not the only one who has ever wanted to do this, if
>> you have done it, please let me know how. I welcome any suggestions. )
>>
>> Thanks in advance
>>
>> Martin Gregersen
>> martin@gregersen.dk
>>
>>
>>
>

Hi Martin,
personally - I use Wise installation system, but you can also try some free
installer, for example see
http://alexdyb.blogspot.com/2006/04/...installer.html

then you can download MSDE setup package from Microsoft site, and include in
your package
now you need to build a script to run MSDE setup, copy database files,
application files, attach database (I use attachDB to do so:
http://www.pointltd.com/Products/Details.asp?dlID=46)


--
Best regards,
___________
Alex Dybenko (MVP)
http://alexdyb.blogspot.com
http://www.PointLtd.com

"Martin Gregersen" wrote in message
news:uEFXGfclGHA.4708@TK2MSFTNGP04.phx.gbl...
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=11840
> Hi Alex
>
> I would like if you could tell me how to make such an installer, then I
> will know and can make the best decission. They really need a copy to play
> with, not just a demonstration online, they need to take every process of
> their production into consideration and then see would features they
> like/dislike and so on.
>
> Also I would like to know just to know ;o)
>
> Thanks
>
> Martin
>
>
> "Alex Dybenko" wrote in message
> news:OzFt1nUlGHA.1208@TK2MSFTNGP02.phx.gbl...
>> Hi Martin,
>> Actually - you can make a setup, which will install MSDE, attach database
>> and then install all necessary components to run your application - but
>> this also time consuming task if you never did so.
>>
>> I think that installing your application on windowsxp and then let them
>> connect to it with remote desktop it order to try - is most realistic
>> option for you
>>
>>
>> --
>> Best regards,
>> ___________
>> Alex Dybenko (MVP)
>> http://alexdyb.blogspot.com
Reference:: Sikh Philosophy Network http://www.sikhphilosophy.net/showthread.php?t=11840
>> http://www.PointLtd.com
>>
>>
>> "Martin Gregersen" wrote in message
>> news:eWiKjFUlGHA.2420@TK2MSFTNGP04.phx.gbl...
>>>I have an Access application which runs in a server enviroment where I
>>>have an SQL server that the Access connects to. The customer is so happy
>>>with my soultion and told another company about it, they would like
>>>something like that, so I need to make a copy of the setup to a cd to
>>>send to the other company - as a demo. They have no employees with enough
>>>IT knowledge to install a SQL Server/MSDE and the import the database and
>>>setting up Access to connect to the new server. Remote control is not an
>>>option, neither is "local control" since they will not pay for my trip
>>>(transatlantic) unless they want me to make a soultion for them...
>>>
>>> I need to take the solution and make it portable. But I am not sure how
>>> to do it, I need a "downsizing" wizard or something? A solution could be
>>> to make "some kind of installer" which installes a MSDE and loads the
>>> data into it and connects the Access database to the new db server.
>>> Probably the best solution, if there is no easy way to make it portable.
>>>
>>> I would asume there are some tools available for this or similar
>>> purposes, but I don't know any...
>>>
>>> My concern is also the fact that there are some views in the SQL
>>> database and also a lot of the VBA code in forms and reports has been
>>> modified to fit the SQL, during upsizing some years back... I wouldn't
>>> like to re-write the rewritten code, just for a demo.
>>>
>>> I'm pretty sure I'm not the only one who has ever wanted to do this, if
>>> you have done it, please let me know how. I welcome any suggestions. )
>>>
>>> Thanks in advance
>>>
>>> Martin Gregersen
>>> martin@gregersen.dk
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>
>
>