I've been tasked with the creation of a database to track project status at my place of work. The necessary capabilities will be: 1) import data from delimited text files and spreadsheets and 2) export tables and graphs based on user selections. Whatever I come up with needs to interface with multiple back-end databases for each client (the bosses do not want to use a central, all inclusive database or SQL Server if possible). Each employee is to get a copy of the front-end, which they will use to work with each individual client database.

I'd like to get some opinions as to whether a stand-alone Visual Basic 2005 application using back-end Access databases is a better option than a completely Access-based solution. I'd like to think that creating an application with just the options that are required is the more stable, secure and user-friendly option...but I expect that an Access database with simple forms is the easier way to go. Of course, I want to make the best product possible ($$$). I value any and all opinions as this thing is going to take significant time to finish!

The bosses shouldn't be making technical decisions. What justification do they provide for avoiding SQL Server?

Why build a custom solution for this? There are so many project management solutions to choose from, it seems like it would be a much more effective use of your company's money and your time to simply find a solution that already exists. Unless your requirements are really off-the-wall I doubt no solution exists that could deal with your scenario. Project management is a pretty common task.

-Peter
peterlanoie.blog