Microsoft SQL Server Migration Assistant for Access v5.2

Posted on May 7, 2012 by admin

You can download Microsoft’s SQL Server Migration Assistant to help you easily move your Access database to our SQL 2012 backend hosting environment.  SQL Server Migration Assistant (SSMA) v5.2 is freely available. SSMA simplifies database migration process from Oracle/Sybase/MySQL and Microsoft Access to SQL Server and SQL Azure. SSMA automates all aspects of migration including migration assessment analysis, schema and SQL statement conversion, data migration as well as migration testing to reduce cost and reduce risk of your database migration project. It’s a free download from Microsoft that can be found here:

http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=28763

SQL Server Migration Assistant (SSMA) is a free supported tool from Microsoft that simplifies database migration process from Access to SQL Server. SSMA for Access automates conversion of Microsoft Access database objects to SQL Server database objects, loads the objects into SQL Server, and then migrates data from Microsoft Access to SQL Server.

SSMA for Access v5.2 is designed to support migration from Microsoft Access 97 and higher to all editions of SQL Server 2005, SQL Server 2008, SQL Server 2008 R2, SQL Server 2012, and SQL Azure.

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New Website, New Phone System, New SQL 2012 Service!

Posted on May 7, 2012 by admin

Our new website launched today, but it’s more than an aesthetic improvement.  Over the last few weeks we have been testing out our new SQL Server 2012 hosting option.  This new hosting product is now available  and gives Access Developer’s some great new options when it comes to getting your Access Database on the Web.  You can sign up for a free trial here.

You may also notice that we have a new phone number posted on the website.  It’s actually an entirely new phone system that will direct your call to the correct sales or technical support operator.

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Introduction and Getting Started Video for RDP Hosting

Posted on April 26, 2012 by admin

This video introduces you to our Remote Desktop Hosting service. It shows you how easy it is to get started using RDP hosting with our free trial and how to easily copy/paste your local Access database up into the cloud.

To learn more visit our website

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Moving Your Microsoft Access Database to the Cloud

Posted on March 26, 2012 by admin

AccessHosting.Com offers a number of different approaches for moving Access 2003, 2007 and 2010 databases off of your desktop or corporate network and onto the web. Moving your Access database to the cloud has wide ranging benefits including increased security, high availability and support for multiple users and devices. This document will describe the pros and cons of each approach and present a series of features to consider based on the individual requirements of your application.

Solution #1: Running Access 2010 against hosted Access Services/SharePoint 2010 Enterprise

Pros: Browser based forms/reports. One version of the application automatically syncs changes to all users. Can develop hybrid applications with a mix of web and client functionality. Mobile Device Support via browser.  Secure Active Directory logon with self-service password management. Multiple backup options available.

Cons: Limited to performance constraints of SP 2010 lists. Conversion to SharePoint compatible format required for existing databases. Existing client based forms and reports must be rewritten for web support.

Solution #2: Running Access 2003, 2007, or 2010 applications in a Remote Desktop.

Pros: Extensive device support via Remote Desktop clients for iPad, iPhone and Mac OSX. No need to modify existing applications or convert database – quickest way to get up and running. Multiple users supported with secure logon and common drive configuration for Front End/Back End deployment. Backup files to any cloud based storage service (Amazon S3 Recommended).  Secure Active Directory logon with self-service password management. Support for Access 2003 applications.

Cons:  users must run Remote Desktop client (no browser based application support). Backup must be performed by the Access administrator or inside the application due to locking scenarios.

Solution #3: Running Access 2007 or 2010 against hosted SQL Server 2012

Pros: Best Scalability and Performance with the power of SQL 2012. Secure Active Directory logon with self-service password management. Multiple backup options available. Upload large amounts of data.

Cons: Cannot sync application changes automatically to front end clients. ACCDB or MDB files must be converted to SQL compatible format.

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Access Hosting Remote Desktop FAQ

Posted on March 20, 2012 by admin

How can I load my Access database into the remote desktop session?

There are 2 ways to accomplish this. 1) Use a Copy/Paste from your local machine into the remote session 2) Look under the “Computer” icon in the remote session. You should see your local drive displayed

Can I have multiple concurrent users accessing the same database?

Sure – if you purchase more than one instance of the remote desktop we can provide a networks storage location that can be mapped as a Z:\ (or any other letter) drive and used for the backend of your Access Database. We charge a one-time non-recurring $99 setup fee to create this mapped shared drive.

How do I connect my Macintosh to the Access Application in the Remote Desktop?

The Microsoft Remote Desktop client for Macintosh OSX can be downloaded at no charge from http://www.microsoft.com/mac/downloads

How do I connect my iPhone, iPad, Android Phone, or Android tablet to the Access Application in the Remote Desktop?

We recommend purchasing www.jumpdesktop.com from the App Store to connect your iOS or Android devices to the remote desktop

How can I backup my Access database?

We recommend that you regularly copy your database from your remote session to your local computer for backups, but we also provide automated backup to Amazon S3 storage for $20/month.

Can I use a local printer?

Yes. Any printers that are locally attached via on LPT port are fully supported. Printers that are connected via your local network or USB are also supported but need to be mapped into a local LPT port before they are visible to the remote desktop session. The command to do this looks something like net use lpt3 \\servername\printer /persistent:yes. Do this before connecting to the remote session and the printer should be visible.

Can multiple users share a single remote desktop instance?

Yes, but only one user can be connected at a time. If your users connect at different times during the day they can share a single remote desktop instance.  You will want to purchase the maximum number of simultaneous concurrent users that you will need.

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New Low Cost RDP Hosting – only $29 per user!

Posted on March 19, 2012 by admin

We just updated our website with our brand new $29 per user per month RDP hosting option (old version was in a dedicated environment but cost $99/user – this has become our Virtual App offering).  This new hosting option allows everyone to easily host their old Access 2007, or VBA code apps in the cloud and also offers the best mobile (iPhone, iPad, Android) Experience available.  Check out our updated page on the website: http://www.accesshosting.com/remote-desktop-hosting.asp

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Office 2010 Tutor

Posted on January 11, 2012 by admin

There’s a really great new service available to teach and learn Office 2010 available at www.office2010tutor.com.  Instead of watching tutorials and recreating the steps, you can just download their software and have it do the task for you. Their player has over 850 helpful tutorials for Microsoft Word, Outlook, Excel and PowerPoint.  There’s a free trial too so give it a try.

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Happy Holidays

Posted on December 24, 2011 by admin

Happy Holidays from Everybody at Access Hosting! We hope everyone has a great holiday and look forward to announcing some exciting new hosting plans in 2012.

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Help4Access + Access Hosting = Databases in Action!

Posted on December 8, 2011 by admin

Sasha Froyland, CEO of Help4Access has put together some awesome videos showing off what you can do with Microsoft Access in the cloud. All of these videos utilize Access Hosting as the backend/hosting solution so they are great examples of what can be achieved with our services.

Help4Access is an Access Consulting company that focuses on migrating your database applications to the Cloud. Contact Sasha and his team today to get your applications into the cloud today and start seeing increased speed, reliability and availabilty of your company’s most valuable data.

Access Hosting has a close working relationship with Help4Access and they are familiar with all of our hosting plans and solutions. We highly recommend that you check them out if you need any sort of development or application level support.

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FAQs about Remote Desktop Hosting

Posted on December 1, 2011 by admin

Our remote desktop option has become more and more popular, especially with traditional Access Developers that want to utilize the full power and robustness of the Access software, plugins, VBA code, and more!  Here are some frequently asked questions that we always receive regarding our RDP hosting:

How can I load my Access database into the remote desktop session?

There are 3 ways to accomplish this. 1) Use a Copy/Paste from your local machine into the remote session 2) Look under the “Computer” icon in the remote session. You should see your local drive displayed 3) Use a web based storage service like www.dropbox.com to transfer the files.

Can I have multiple concurrent users accessing the same database?

Sure – if you purchase more than one instance of the remote desktop we can provide a networks storage location that can be mapped as a Z:\ (or any other letter) drive and used for the backend of your Access Database.

How do I connect my Macintosh to the Access Application in the Remote Desktop?

The Microsoft Remote Desktop client for Macintosh OSX can be downloaded at no charge from http://www.microsoft.com/mac/downloads

How do I connect my iPhone and iPad to the Access Application in the Remote Desktop?

We recommend purchasing www.jumpdesktop.com from the App Store to connect your iOS devices to the remote desktop

How can I backup my Access database?

We recommend using a www.dropbox.com account and installing that into your desktop. You can then setup regular backups that move your information into the cloud.

Can I use a local printer?

Yes. Any printers that are locally attached via on LPT port are fully supported. Printers that are connected via your local network or USB are also supported but need to be mapped into a local LPT port before they are visible to the remote desktop session. The command to do this looks something like net use lpt3 \\servername\printer /persistent:yes. Do this before connecting to the remote session and the printer should be visible.

Can multiple users share a single remote desktop instance?

Yes, but only one user can be connected at a time. If your users connect at different times during the day they can share a single remote desktop instance.

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