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Multiple Users Accessing Access Database simultaneously and remotely

Anonymous
2022-02-13T21:07:53+00:00

I created a Microsoft Access Database that uses a significant amount of VBA. I have multiple users who will need to enter and view the data from the database simultaneously. Each user works remotely, so they are in different locations. I also want each user to be able to utilize different sorts and filters simultaneously. If one user is using a particular filter I don't want any other user to be impacted by that filter. Eventually I will want to create forms on my website and the data will be stored in the access Database. I only plan on having about 10 users access the database simultaneously. What is the most cost effective way to accomplish this?

Microsoft 365 and Office | Access | For business | Windows

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  1. ScottGem 68,810 Reputation points Volunteer Moderator
    2022-02-14T13:26:37+00:00

    Access is not the best tool for this. One of the biggest weaknesses of Access is that it doesn't work well across the Internet. It generally requires access over a Local Area Network (LAN).

    You have this requirement; "If one user is using a particular filter I don't want any other user to be impacted by that filter." To accomplish this (and whenever you have a multi-user app) the database needs to be split between a back end (data tables) and a front end (everything else). The back end is then stored on a shared location and the front end distributed to each user's PC.

    In a LAN the back end is stored on a shared Network folder. In your situation you might be able to use an Azure back end and have the front ends connect to that. One of the strengths of Access is that it can use different data engines for data storage.

    Using a remote access to a LAN can solve the data storage problem, but, for simultaneously use, you would have to have the ability for multiple users to log into the LAN remotely at the same time. A Citrix server can do that for you.

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  2. DBG 11,711 Reputation points Volunteer Moderator
    2022-02-13T22:03:23+00:00

    Ok so if I don't use a web form this can be done though access though a remote desktop correct?

    Yes, that's possible. But the common suggestion is to migrate the data into MySQL, SQL Server, or Azure and use ODBC to connect via Access.

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  3. Tom van Stiphout 40,201 Reputation points MVP Volunteer Moderator
    2022-02-14T15:27:03+00:00

    > A Citrix server can do that for you.

    And so can a Windows Terminal server. Keep in mind that terminal servers require special "volume" licensing of Office.

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  4. Anonymous
    2022-02-13T21:30:13+00:00

    Ok so if I don't use a web form this can be done though access though a remote desktop correct?

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  5. DBG 11,711 Reputation points Volunteer Moderator
    2022-02-13T21:21:58+00:00

    Hi. I can't say if this is the most cost effective, but one way is to use remote desktop or VPN to access the database remotely. If you want to use web page to access and modify the data, then you will need to move your data out of Access and into MySQL or SQL Server or something else.

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