Convert MS Access desktop app with VBA to web based app

Martin Treadaway 1 Reputation point
2021-07-28T16:11:40.663+00:00

We have an MS Access 2010 based desktop application using VBA with large user base. We would like to convert this app into a web based app as that is the way the industry is going.

Is there a way to do this without rewriting the code in .NET

Access Development
Access Development
Access: A family of Microsoft relational database management systems designed for ease of use.Development: The process of researching, productizing, and refining new or existing technologies.
817 questions

3 answers

Sort by: Most helpful
Most helpful Newest Oldest
  1. Daniel Pineault 431 Reputation points MVP
    2021-07-29T11:58:22.557+00:00

    Short answer is there is no way, no tool to do this. This is a complete rewrite of the application.

    Why convert it though? What is the driving need? What issue are you trying to solve, benefit you think you'll gain?

    You could migrate your back-end to the cloud, relink the tables, then the front-end can be used on any PC that has an internet connection.

    1 person found this answer helpful.
  2. Dean Babic 1 Reputation point
    2022-03-02T07:18:37.897+00:00

    Hi @Martin Treadaway

    There are automated tools to convert Access to Web. One was discussed on reddit, search "Moving MS Access to Web" - it did hit the nail with admins though, but comments are still there.
    .NET and VB is a bugger. Impossible to move the business logic and even so, it would not run on all different Web servers.
    What I would suggest is to modernize the App paradigm. Hence, moving to something which is supported widely. And something which is proven that runs light speed faster, and can scale, etc.
    My organization is still using 20 years old technology. And it is not the only one I'm sure. They will never, ever, move from it, not because they can't, but because of politics and zillion hours spent on something which can't be modernized any more without completely changing the paradigm. Web changed from dial-up connection, and it's changing rapidly.

    With the above reddit mentioned tool, one can demonstrate the POC in minutes. One can convert Access with >100 tables in a single day. And the App can be packaged into a single executable file if needed, so no fiddling with the Web servers. Just run the file, and point the office Web browsers to App network IP. So deployment is literally none. Security is also a top notch. It can even support SAML. Sounds too good to be true. Well, the App developed by this 7Mb large (!) tool or platform is supporting 2000 pharmacies, hence about 15000-20000 users 24/7/365.

    Hope this reply will help you a bit to make a proper decision.

    Dean

  3. Dean Babic 1 Reputation point
    2022-10-21T02:59:53.96+00:00

    Hey Admins,

    why was my post deleted? So when user is promoting Thinfinity VirtualUI by Cybele Software Inc. that is ok?
    But it is not ok when I try to help to users with my own advice?
    Can you guys point me to a forum standards with the conditions and terms?
    Thank you

    0 comments