Alternatives to MS-Access ?

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jim.cox

224 posts

Master Geek

#96966 8-Feb-2012 11:28

Our small organisation needs one more copy of MS-Access (must be 2007 or later)

Unfortunately all Microsoft are offering is the 2010 version - and NONE of our staff, even those familiar with it, like the 2010 interface.

We've looked at Open Office (ok - but slow)

We have a search set on TradeMe for Office 2007 - this seems to be our best best at present

Does anyone have any suggestions for alternative software we should look at ?

Thankx

Jim

=mjc=
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Hammerer

2476 posts

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#578633 8-Feb-2012 11:54

Is there no way to get the 2007 interface on the 2010 version? Other MS Office products have settings or third-party tweakers.

jim.cox

224 posts

Master Geek

#578638 8-Feb-2012 11:58

I wasnt aware there was any way to get any of the Office 2010 products to work like 2007

Given the distaste for 2010 here I will have to look into that

Thankx

=mjc=
.

tchart

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#578647 8-Feb-2012 12:15

Usually there are "downgrade" rights when you purchase Microsoft software. We use this occasionally at work when you need an older version that they no longer sell. If you are buying off the shelf though you may be stuck with 2010.

semigeek

1606 posts

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#578648 8-Feb-2012 12:18

There is Ability Database, not sure if you can get it standalone.

Ability Database: a data management system that is compatible with Microsoft Access data tables, and provides column views, sorting, and filter selection, single-click automatic form and report creation, advanced component-based querying of data, and full SQL editing.

Read more: Ability Office - Download.com http://download.cnet.com/Ability-Office/3000-18483_4-95452.html#ixzz1lk07O54Y

bazzer

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#578655 8-Feb-2012 12:35

Or tell your staff to suck it up and get used to 2010. You can't stay with 2007 forever... It's really not that bad. Took me a while to adjust, but you get used to it.

jonherries

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#578657 8-Feb-2012 12:42

Not sure the size of the business, we have oracle and have been looking at application express.

Can import the tables, and can be set to provide a suite of standard tables from a data warehouse. It is great as it is web-based.

Might be a good consideration looking for a system that can build basic web-apps.

Jon

allan

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#578668 8-Feb-2012 12:56

jim.cox: I wasnt aware there was any way to get any of the Office 2010 products to work like 2007

Given the distaste for 2010 here I will have to look into that

Thankx

I haven't used it personally, but Classic Menu would appear to give you Access 2010 with old style menus - at a cost of course.

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itxtme

2102 posts

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#578696 8-Feb-2012 13:58

Any friends in the US? http://www.amazon.com/Microsoft-Access-2007-OLD-VERSION/dp/B000HCVR12

tchart

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#578715 8-Feb-2012 14:59

Just a thought; Are you using Access as a GUI to access the database? Or using it to design tables, insert rows etc.

If its the latter you should probably start using SQL Server. The Express Edition is free and very functional. At work we have so many problems with Access and its limitations (size being a big problem for our clients).

SQL Server has many of the same tools to design tables etc but then again its something new for staff to learn. Its not a GUI designer though...

Ragnor

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#578852 8-Feb-2012 18:24

Yeah what purpose is access being used for?

There is probably a better solution involving SQL Server Express and a free open source or cheap paid web front end for whatever you are doing eg: crm, wiki, inventory/stock, helpdesk/ticket etc.