Tag: Microsoft

All About Microsoft Access 2013 and Access 365

Microsoft Access 2013 is the software that has progressed over the ages from Access 1.1 in 1992 until now.

Office Professional 2013 Software (which includes Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook and Access) will allow you to install and run Access 2013 as usual.

The Office 365 version is paid by monthly subscription and provides Web services to Office 2013. It includes the Office Professional 2013 software as well as Access 365 and Access 2013.

Access 365, besides the name “Access”, has little to nothing in common with Access 2013 or previous versions of Access.

What is Access 365 all about?

Access 365 is a tool for creating web apps that run within SharePoint 2013. The old .ACCDB format has been abandoned. New applications should use the Access 365 model, or stick with Access 2010.

Access 365 allows the rapid creation of small applications using the standard web technologies of HTML5, CSS and JavaScript in a simplified web development environment. One big feature is that Access Services can now store data to Microsoft SQL Server or an SQL Azure database.

The use of SQL Server overcomes the 2 Gigabyte size limitation of the previous Access databases. SQL Server also provides all the security and features essential for any strategic company business system.

And What about Access 2013?

The Access 2013 desktop version is much unchanged from previous versions – it still supports the Front-End and Back-End database model and Visual Basic for Applications (VBA).

But Access 2013 no longer supports:

  • The Microsoft Access project (ADP)
  • The Access 97.mdb database format
  • PivotCharts and PivotTables
  • The dBASE database
  • Smart Tags (Action Tags)
  • Access 2003 Toolbars and menus
  • The Microsoft SQL Server database Upsizing Wizard
  • The Developer Source Code Control

Apps for Office

There is a new feature of Access 365 – Apps for Office. This technology enables Office to be used as a service on the Cloud or Web. The webpage can be hosted in an Office application – that is Excel, Word, Outlook, PowerPoint or Project.

An app is usually published to the Office Store for use.

JavaScript API for Office

Access 365 has a new JavaScript API that provides programmatic access to Microsoft Office documents. The API includes application-specific data types, objects, functions and events.

The JavaScript API is a great improvement on the crude JavaScript design capabilities within HTML.

SharePoint apps

Access 365 provides a simple way for SharePoint to host the Front-End of an app and have the data management capabilities of SQL Server on the Web. This simplifies web development.

Note that Visual Basic for Applications (VBA) code is not compatible with SharePoint Access applications.

Access 365 Macro Editor

Templates can be used to create sophisticated looking apps – and without the need for code. However business rules and data manipulation can be implemented with a new macro language. The macros do not have the power of VBA, but are adequate for simple logic.

Microsoft’s Strategic Direction

Microsoft Access was never meant for corporate company databases. Many companies evolved the Access database software into their core administration systems. But with the limitations of network traffic, peak loads, reliability, rollback recovery, security, etc, etc – these systems eventually hit a brick wall.

The direction that Access 365 is now taking reverts to the original intention of Microsoft Access. That is, providing a rapid development environment for small Line of Business (LOB) applications.

Microsoft Access with VBA is at the end of the road. For mission critical administration systems, the best development platform is Visual Basic.Net with SQL Server.

How Can Microsoft Office 365 Help You to Increase the Profitability of Your Business?

Microsoft Office 365 offers a robust solution to enterprises enabling them to build a truly modern workplace. Tailor-made for your business needs, it enhances your business’s productivity by helping you virtually communicate and collaborate with your people at all times. From email to web apps to communication services, Office 365 brings together all of Microsoft’s productivity tools, and provides an easy and cost-effective platform for enterprises to move to the cloud.

Let us now do a detailed analysis on how Microsoft Office 365 can help enterprises in achieving optimized productivity and increased profitability for their business:

Intelligent Security

Security is an integral part of cloud services. With a 128-bit SSL/TSL encryption, no unauthorized personnel can read Office 365 applications. Microsoft continuously monitors for suspicious activity in your system and takes immediate action with a robust incident protocol in place. Office 365 has an intelligent security management system, threat protection, information protection, and identity & access management which can help enterprises save on huge additional costs arising due to data theft.

Microsoft SharePoint Online – Portal Collaboration

SharePoint Online facilitates better collaboration between your people. Employees can easily collaborate on projects, share documents, and organize all their information. Enterprises can benefit from SharePoint Online and save on costs associated with managing their own infrastructure and servers as it runs in the cloud.

Exchange Online

Exchange Online helps enterprises effectively manage their email and calendar, and provides benefits of Exchange Server 2010 with no cost and overhead expenses of deploying it in-house. The Single Item Recovery can be enabled to recover any file which has been permanently deleted from the system. Attachments up to 25 MB can be easily shared while user mailboxes up to 25 GB are supported.

Instant Messaging and Skype Connectivity

Let people know you’re available and effectively communicate with them through messages, voice and video calls. Office 365 is tailor-made for enhanced connectivity between your people. This results in optimized business productivity.

Reliability

With a Service Level Agreement (SLA) offering a 99.9% scheduled uptime, Office 365 helps enterprises with enhanced worker productivity and ultimately saves big on costs. Backup data centers are available which transfer customers hosted by one data center to another with minimal interruption.

Compatibility

Upgrading all desktop systems to the latest operating system is not a feasible solutions for all enterprises. Microsoft Office 365 supports Mac, iOS, PC and android platforms, and has a comprehensive workforce management helping enterprises achieve reduced TCO across management, servicing and deployment.

Web and Mobile App Development

With Microsoft Office 365, it is possible for enterprises to build customized business apps suited for web and mobile. This can help them achieve their business goals and increase profitability.

Being a one-stop solution for numerable business concerns of enterprises, Microsoft Office 365 is an idea choice for enterprises looking to increase the profitability of their business. However, it is important for enterprises to choose only a certified Office 365 cloud solution provider having globally recognized certified consultants.

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