Considering that Microsoft has released Express Editions of MS SQL Server 2005 and 2008, I would hope that many people were encouraged to Migrate from using Access to MS SQL Express for their website or web application back end.
Microsoft Access is simply not suited to handle the work load for website database back ends. Microsoft SQL Server Express Edition offers better maintainability, scalability and development efficiency compared to MS Access. Access has always been a bit like using a skateboard compared to a automobile to get where your going for website databases. The reasons to leave Access behind for website development are too numerous that it’s not funny. Needless to say it’s Best to Leave Access back at the Office where it belongs.
Now for the FREE MS Access to SQL Server Migration tools that Microsoft has made available for download. These tools work with other Editions besides Express, I’m providing links to the Express Editions of MS SQL Server as well.
SQL Server Migration Assistant 2008 for Access V4.0 (Free download)
This a free download for migrating databases from Microsoft Access to Microsoft SQL Server 2008. SSMA for Access converts Access database objects to SQL Server database objects, loads those objects into SQL Server, and then migrates data from Access to SQL Server.Supports Access 97 – Access 2007 databases.
Supported Operating Systems:
Windows Server 2003; Windows Server 2008; Windows Vista; Windows XP http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?familyid=133B59C2-C89C-4641-BEBB-6D04476EC1BA&displaylang=en
MS SQL 2008 Express with tools (Free download)
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?familyid=7522A683-4CB2-454E-B908-E805E9BD4E28&displaylang=en
- SQL Server Migration Assistant 2005 for Access V4.0 (Free download)
Microsoft SQL Server Migration Assistant (SSMA) 2005 for Access is a tool for migrating databases from Microsoft Access to Microsoft SQL Server 2005. SSMA for Access converts Access database objects to SQL Server database objects, loads those objects into SQL Server, and then migrates data from Access to SQL Server.
Supports Access 97 – Access 2007 databases.
Supported Operating Systems: Windows Server 2003; Windows Server 2008; Windows Vista; Windows XP
- SQL Server Migration Assistant for Access (Free download)
This is a Free Download that Automates database migration from Access to SQL Server 2005. Microsoft SQL Server Migration Assistant (SSMA) for Access is a tool for migrating databases from Microsoft Access to Microsoft SQL Server 2005. SSMA for Access converts Access database objects to SQL Server database objects, loads those objects into SQL Server, and then migrates data from Access to SQL Server.
Supports Access 97 – Access 2003 databases.
Supported Operating Systems: Windows Server 2003, Windows XP SP2 or a later version, or Windows Server 2003 SP1 or a later version.
- MS SQL 2005 Express Edition (Free download)http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?familyid=220549B5-0B07-4448-8848-DCC397514B41&displaylang=en
- Microsoft SQL Server Management Studio Express (Free download)
Microsoft SQL Server Management Studio Express (SSMSE) is a free, easy-to-use graphical management tool for managing SQL Server 2005 Express Edition and SQL Server 2005 Express Edition with Advanced Services.
Some Additional Resources
I’m providing some additional links to resources
- SQL Server 2005 Migration for Microsoft Access (website)
Contains links to learning resources, how to do videos and more.
http://www.microsoft.com/sqlserver/2005/en/us/migration-access.aspx
