Start the Right
Version of Microsoft® Access® and Your Database Every Time
Total Access Startup guarantees your users always launch the right
version of Microsoft Access with the right version of your Access database.
Easily Support Split Database Architectures
Multi-user Access databases should be divided into a front-end and back-end
database. The front-end is where the application resides and what the user
runs. This generally includes queries, forms, reports, macros, and modules.
The
back-end database contains the data (tables), and the front-end database
simply links to those tables. This split Access database architecture separates the
application from the data and provides many benefits:
- Development and Deployment is easier because you can create a
new version of your application (front-end) and distribute it without
trying to stay in synch with the user's latest data (back-end). If the back-end data needs to be modified, that can be done
in one place.
- Performance is significantly enhanced if each user has their
own database on their desktop rather than sharing a database on the
network
- Temporary Tables. For MDB and ACCDB databases, local tables
in the front-end database are private to each user and can keep
temporary data. For ADPs, use the #TableName syntax for private session
tables in SQL Server.
For more information, read our technical paper on
Splitting
Microsoft Access Databases to Improve Performance and Simplify
Maintainability.
Whether it's an MDB, ACCDB, or ADP, Total Access Startup makes it ideal
for managing and deploying your front-end database to every desktop.
Eliminate the hassles with deploying your latest work and focus on making
the enhancements your users demand.
Centrally Manage Microsoft Access and Your Databases
Ensure your users:
-
Start the Access Version You Specify
For example, you can ensure your users always run Access 2007
with your database, regardless of the Access versions
installed on their machine or what Windows considers the
default for MDB/ADP files. There's even support to downgrade
below the preferred version, if desired.
-
Never Need to Know Your Database
Information
The simple shortcut you give users hides the database name,
security settings, location of your files, etc., letting you
change these at any time.
-
Support Legacy Versions of
Access
If you have Access 97 databases, you can ensure users run it
with Access 97 to avoid upgrading the database format by
running it with Access 2000 or later. Eliminate the need to
immediately convert your existing Access applications to
later versions, while safely migrating to the later version
one database at a time.
- Detect and Run the Latest Version of Your Access
Database
Total Access Startup automatically installs and updates your
user’s local copy of your database when you release a new version.
Zero Deployment Design
To deploy your Access application, simply send an email pointing to the
shortcut that Total Access Startup generates, and you’re done! Your users only need the
right version of Access installed. None of Total Access Startup is installed
on your users' machines!
When you have an update of your database or change the Access version,
it's all handled centrally. Make the change in one place and when the user
clicks on their shortcut, they're automatically updated. Stop wasting time
manually distributing your updates to each user!
How Total Access Startup Simplifies Access
Automatically Install New Builds of Your Application
When users run your application for the first time, Total Access Startup
installs the database for them. If other files are required, you can launch
a batch file or setup program.
Automatically Install Updates of Your Application
When you create a new version of your database, update its version
number, and Total Access Startup automatically distributes it. Every time
Total Access Startup is launched by a user, it compares the master copy to
the user's local copy. If they are out of synch, the local copy is replaced.
You can also launch a batch file or setup program if additional files (e.g.
ActiveX controls) need to be installed. The update setup can be different from the initial installation setup.
Always Launch the Correct Version of Access
Total Access Startup always launches the correct version of Access with your database
regardless of how many versions of Access are installed or
what Windows considers the default for MDB or ADP files. Many environments require
multiple versions of Access because the cost of converting old Access
databases to the latest version of Access is unnecessary. With Total Access
Startup, you can maintain your investment while easily supporting new Access
versions. It knows how to find the correct version of Access even if it’s
installed in a different directory on every machine.
Downgrade Access Versions as Necessary
Multiple Access versions support the Access 2000 database format. However,
you may want your users to use the latest version of Access. Rather than
settling for the lowest common version, Total Access Startup lets you
specify the preferred version then downgrade as necessary. For instance, you
can specify Microsoft Access 2007 down to Access 2000. When the user
launches your database, they'll use Access 2007, if they don't have it,
it'll search for Access 2003, then 2002, then 2000. Of course your
application must be able to run in the versions you specify.
Gracefully Handle Problems
If problems occur like the user not having the specified Access version installed on their
machine, Total Access Startup displays a customized message showing the
error along with your contact information. This gracefully handles the problem and
prevents
users from being confused or inadvertently converting the database.
Everything is centrally stored so you can deploy your database
consistently across all your users and easily manage it over time.
How Total Access Startup Works
Administrator Program
This Wizard lets you specify the Access version and
database you want your users to use. You can specify:
- The Access version to run (e.g. Access 2007, 2003, 2002/XP, 2000,
97, or 95) including support for runtime versions.
- The database to run and the
startup macro (if any).
- The location of the “master”
database on the network.
- The location of the “local”
database installed on the user’s machine (if desired).
- The name of the
table and field in
the database that identifies its version (ensures
that the local database is always in sync with the master). For Access
Projects (ADPs) it's a property on the ADP.
- Optional setup program or batch file
to run when the database is created on the local machine (useful the
first time the launches the application).
- Optional setup program or batch file to
run when the local copy is updated (in case you need to install other files,
such as ActiveX controls).
- Contact information if
your user can’t start the program.
When you complete the Wizard, Total Access Startup
creates a small INI file and shortcut link in the network location you
specify. The INI file includes your specifications, and the shortcut
launches your database using those specifications.
Startup Program
A small executable (TAStart.exe) that that launches your database with the
specifications selected in the Administrative program. This is stored in one
place on your network.
User Workstations
The Total Access Startup program is written in C
with no dependencies, so nothing is installed or required on your users' machines.
They only need the shortcut pointing them to the INI file you created on the
network.
Cost Effective, Powerful Solution
One copy of Total Access Startup supports an unlimited number of databases
and users across your entire network. Simply create a separate settings file for
each database you deploy. Easily support local copies on each user's machine
for optimal performance, and manage it centrally.
Non-Network Use of Total Access Startup
Total Access Startup is also useful if you are not on a network and want
to ensure users always runs the correct version of Access with your
database even if they install new versions of Access in the future. This is
ideal for laptop computer users and distributed applications. A
royalty-free, redistributable launcher is included for supporting users not
on your network.
Maintaining and Migrating Microsoft Access 97 Applications
With Total Access Startup, your Microsoft Access 97 databases are
always run with Access 97 to prevent accidental database conversions when
people open them with a later version of Access.
When you migrate your Access 97 databases to a later format,
you simply update the settings file to specify the new Access version and new
database. The next time your users launch it, they get the new version
and won't be allowed to run Access 97 on it. You won't even need to send out
a new shortcut!
Total
Access Startup was independently tested by VeriTest and awarded the Designed for Microsoft Windows XP, 2000, ME, 98 logo from Microsoft. Total
Access Startup is the first application designed exclusively for Access to
receive this designation.
With VeriTest's rigorous testing and verification, you can be assured
that Total Access Startup supports the challenging environment of your
enterprise. Get Total Access Startup today to ensure all your Access applications and versions are deployed
correctly every time!
Pricing and Availability
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