Replica for me ? 1

[cbsm]

I have several users, each one of them (almost) in another location.
Of course, the link is to slow betweenn every location to work from 1 file.
I have one access database as Back-End.
(Front-end is written in VB).
I heard about replica.
Users might not change data daily - but the day they make changes - they might make "lots".
2 Users might update the same record the same day.

My question :
Would replica be a solution ?
Is it stable/safe to use (anyone any problem ?)
If 2 users make changes to the same record between 2 synchronisation - who wins ?
If 2 users make changes to the same field between 2 synchronisation - who wins ?

Any suggestions, remarks, warnings are more than welcomed !

 

[hermanlaksko]

I think that your solution would be an SQL-server MySql or ms-sql, and an ODBC driver to connect to this sql-server.

As you point out the replica methoed is not a solution you can trust - it's a bit like a Forrest Gump solution...
You never know what you are gonna get!.



Herman
Say no to macros

 

[cbsm]

Well I know that SQL server would be the best solution.
Unforunatelly this costs money !!

 

[hermanlaksko]

Perhaps

http://www.mysql.com

can help you.
and its free ;-)


Herman
Say no to macros

 

[Golom]

Unforunatelly this costs money !!

True ... but MSDE (Microsoft Data Engine) is a stripped down version of SQL Server without the user interface and its a free download. It is otherwise capable of everything that SQL Server can do (except that it's limited to 2GB). You can manage MSDE with an Access ADP project.

 

[cbsm]

Thank you Golom and Hermanlaksko - I will have a llok at this.

 

[cbsm]

Just a (stupid) Question ...
Admitting I change from Access to MySQl or other.
Appart from the reliability - which we do not need to discuss here - what would that change for me (my problem beeing people needing to access the data from several location).
If this db is located on the server in A - it won't be any faster for user in B to access the info ?
(Maybe I am wrong here - but mysql database will be in the same location as my current Access DB - the expensive idea of sql server would be to have a dedicated server).
Or maybe there is a more reliable synchronization solution on those database ?
Sorry - this sounds sooooooooo stupid - but I am lost ...
Thanks !

 

[hermanlaksko]

Ok - Well its not a stupid Q!. Its a sound Q - what do I get for my efforts.... sounds fine to me ;-) but with that out of the way.

You get rid of your replica-problem, in short. Also you solve the problem of not being able to trust your data, and not trusting the data .... why collect them?.

The way I see it, your problem is that your users are not located in the same room, and can, therefore, not attach to the same database via your Lan.
So to enable your users to make good use of your system, you must take your databse to a new level, Wan. This can be done, as Golom rightly notes, via the MSDE or via MySQL.

What you should check is this:
1. Where will this database be hosted.
2. Can my host handle this type of database.

Most internet hosts can handle both. And in the cases that I have seen does not charge extra for MySql.

Ms-sql has at least one advantage over MySql ... it handles pictures.
Have a good weekend


Herman
Say no to macros

 

[cbsm]

Well - thank you !
I see I have some "studies" in front of me to understand exactly how all this works !
If this could be the end of Access in this project - wow !!!