Microsoft Access Databases

Microsoft Access has been the most popular desktop database application for years. Released in 1992, its capabilities are simply unmatched on a PC. It’s used by small and large companies alike as it stable, powerful and remarkably inexpensive.

The team at Xorand have been developing innovative and cost effective database solutions for all types of business for 16 years. We have built databases that merge spreadsheets, have complex questionnaire reporting tools, monitor revenue systems, manage customer details and sales, to name but a few.

Below are some of the common questions we get asked.

If you have a question that is not on the list that you want answering, get in touch.

Call on 01527 861241 (local rate). You can also E-mail us at info@xorand.co.uk or fill out the comments form.

	I run a small business. Databases are only useful for big companies, so why would I need one ?
	This is a common myth. Databases are extremely powerful tools for any size of business. If properly set-up they can save huge amounts of time and money.

	We use Excel for our company information, but we have started to experience problems with it, can it be fixed ?
	Excel is a fantastic product, however, it was never designed to be a database. If most of your information is text rather than numbers and it is getting very big and complicated then a database is a better option.

	We suspect our Microsoft Access database is corrupt. Can you help us ?
	Yes, in the vast majority of cases we can. Once we have fixed it, we can also advise you on how to prevent it happening again. (article)

	Our database has been developed in-house. The person who built it has left and we’re sort of stuck. Can you help us take it further ?
	We are used to working with databases at all stages of development, so this will not be a problem.

	We need a database quickly, how soon can you make one ?
	The core parts of a  database can be written in a matter of days. Extra functions can be added later in staged phases as time and resources allow.

	We have an Oracle/SQL Server database. We need to create some reports from it, but we’re having trouble. Is there an easy way ?
	Microsoft Access is an excellent reporting tool. It has been designed so it will talk to almost any other database in order to extract the data and produce the reports – often by pressing a single button.