Gaining Access Technologies - Database Business Solutions
I got a call from a business owner. He needed a way to let workers in the fabrication plant know when customer orders were due so they could
complete them on schedule. The fabrication plant was in a separate building and the methods they were using to communicate were taking
valuable time away from getting work done. Changes in the job orders or schedule ate up more time. They need a solution that was
the right fit for their business.
The solution we provided used the Office 365 they already had. The data automatically appeared in a shared Outlook Calendar the workers
in the plant could see online using a PC, tablet, or phone. In the office, all they had to do was to save or update an order as usual.
The Outlook Calendar Appointments would automatically display the changes online. Because we were able to add code to their existing
Access Database they did not have to buy new software or loose valuable time learning to use new software.
Syncing Access and Outlook Appointments
You would think it would be simple and easy for Office users to sync Access and Outlook Calendar Appointments. Unfortunately this is
not the case. Although it is fairly easy to link to an Outlook Calendar in Access the linked table
contains no Start or End Dates or Times. You could try the Outlook View Control but
Microsoft tells us there are
problems with it. Microsoft also advises us
not to use the View Control outside of Outlook so we do not use it in Access.
Use the Office 365 You Already Have
The general consensus among Access developers is to use Outlook Automation. We use Outlook Automation by adding VBA code
in Access to run Outlook. This means you can keep using the Office 365 Subscription you already have. We can add the
code to your existing Access Database.
What we can do using Outlook Automation:
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How to Create a Read-Write Desktop Database from Your Access Web App
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Access will automatically create an Access Reports Desktop Database for you that is Read-Only
but you are not limited to just that option. With a little code you can easily change those
linked tables to Read-Write tables. You can enjoy all the rich features and flexibility we all
have come to love with Access. It is good to know that using an Access Web App does not limit
you to having that as the only tool in your developer tool belt.
Since Web Apps are new to many of us I am going to start from the beginning and show step-by-step how
to create an Access Desktop Database with Read-Write linked tables to your Web App's Azure SQL Database.
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The Two Best Access Tools I Have Ever Used
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Some time ago Luke Chung of FMS gave me two FMS Tools for Access and asked me to let him know how
they worked for me. I am so pleased with the FMS applications I decided to make my report public and
this is it.
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Using Microsoft Access to Manage SQL Azure Database Users and Roles
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One of the best things about SQL Azure is how easy it is to manage User security. In this
article we will show you how you can use Microsoft Access to add individual Users to Database
Roles which makes managing User security much easier.
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How to Create SQL Azure Database Users With Microsoft Access VBA
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We are going to show you how you can use a pass-through query in Access to create Azure SQL Database Users
using Access VBA. Why do we need SQL Azure Database User Accounts? User Logins alone do not allow you to
access Database Objects such as Tables, Views, and Stored Procedures. So before your database is ready
for distribution, a Database User Account needs to be created for each individual Access User. We can
do that with VBA.
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How to Plug Microsoft Access accde and mde Security Leaks
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I was shocked. I had heard that Constants and Variables could be seen by opening an accde or mde file with a
hex editor but when I opened my file I was stunned to see so much of my data, objects, and code in plain text.
I am not an Access Security expert, but I decided to take on the challenge of this security issue and when I was
through I was very pleased with the results. In this article we will examine the security risks of accde and mde
files and present some ways you can greatly improve the security of your files.
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How to Use Microsoft Access to Create Logins in a SQL Azure Database
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In this article we will demonstrate how you can use a Pass-through query in Access with VBA code to
create SQL Azure Logins. You can use the Login and Password to gain access to SQL Azure Tables, Views,
and Stored Procedures. We will create a Login using SQL similar to the following Transact-SQL (T-SQL):
CREATE LOGIN MyLoginName WITH password = 'zX/w3-q7jU'
Thankfully, a user would never have to memorize that password! Because this Login and password
would only be used by my Access application the user never sees it and does not even know it exists.
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Microsoft Access DSN-Less Linked Tables:
TableDef.Append or TableDef.RefreshLink?
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When it came to creating DSN-Less Linked Tables I had always used a procedure that
deleted the TableDef and appended a new one until a problem occurred. The code I was
using to save Linked Tables as DSN-Less Tables was not working with some of the Views
in SQL Azure. This was a serious problem because the application I was developing would
be distributed to clients who would then distribute it to their clients. We did not want
to use a DSN file. But now the code that normally worked without a hitch was failing.
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The New Microsoft Access and SQL Azure Information Center for Developers
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Article 51
The biggest problem I faced when I began developing with Access and SQL Azure was finding
the information and help I needed. So I am gathering together information, links, tips,
scripts, and articles and building a Microsoft
Access and SQL Azure Information Center for Developers to save you some valuable time
and headaches. We list important links, downloads, articles and blogs, scripts, code
samples, tips, and new developments. You are welcome to submit your own tips, code samples,
links, comments, and articles.
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Building Safer SQL Azure Cloud Applications with Microsoft Access
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The Security Risks of Distributing SQL Azure Applications Using Microsoft Access
When we distribute Microsoft Access applications that use SQL Azure it is vital that we make our
applications as secure as possible. Whether we use a DSN (Data Source Name) to link tables and
pass-through queries to SQL Azure or if we use DSN-less linked tables and pass-through queries
we need to be aware of the serious security risks involved with both of these methods. We need
a better way to ensure that our applications are not hacked by company employees or other
unauthorized users.
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Learn What SQL Azure and Microsoft Access Can Do for You!
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Some of the Many Advantages of Using Microsoft Access and SQL Azure:
- Multiple user access 24 hours a day 365 days a year
- SQL Azure User Level Access and Security
- Lower development costs
- Faster software develpment
- No expensive software to buy
- No hardware to purchase
- You only pay for the services you use
- Secure Data Storage at a Microsoft Secure Data Center
- Data Loss Prevention by Microsoft's redundant backups and Failover protection
There are many advantages to using Microsoft Access with SQL Azure as a back end.
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Download the Free SQL Azure Cloud Demonstration App for Microsoft Access
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I have just finished a simple free demonstration application, the SQL Azure Cloud App 1.0,
and I have not had time to test it yet but people are asking for it so I am making it
available. You can learn more and download the file here.
It is just a simple database to demonstrate how Microsoft Access can get data from SQL Azure.
Since I have not had time to test it on other machines please let me know how it works for you.
It is most important that you read the ReadMeFirst.txt and the Release Notes.txt files before
using the application. It was made for Access 2010 but you may be able to use Access 2007.
(Update: There is now an edition for Access 2007.)
SQL Azure provides access to your data anywhere your computer can connect to the internet,
365 days a year around the clock. With no startup costs for equipment and affordable management
plans SQL Azure provides new possibilities for any size company or organization.
You are welcome to try out the free demonstration application, kick the tires, and take SQL Azure
for a spin. Let me know what you think.
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A Free Code Tracker mdb Edition is Now Available
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A free mdb edition of the Code Tracker™ for Microsoft
Access® is now available for those who cannot use an Add-in.
This Code Tracker mdb edition was developed to help someone whose company policies
and practices would not allow them to install an Add-in. You can download the
CodeTrackerMDB1-0.zip file from our
free downloads page.
This edition of the Code Tracker™ 1.0 makes it easy for you
to load the Code Tracker into your database. When you are finished with the Code
Tracker you can remove all traces of it from your database by clicking a button,
and then deleting just one form manually. Download the zip file and read the
Instructions.txt for more information.
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