Why and when to use a split database application

Usually, in any organization multiple users use an Access database that results in slow application performance and increased network traffic. These issues can sometimes irritate database users and force the organization to think about the solution to avoid as well as resolve them. This article will describe the solution for these issues caused by an Access database located in a multiuser environment. Now let us first understand how performance, traffic related and other issues rise when an Access database is used by multiple users:

• When the Access database is located in a multiuser environment, various tasks on the same database are performed at the same time by many users. In such a situation performance of the database gets affected and it starts responding slow.

• In multiuser environment, all objects of the database travel over the network along with data that increases network traffic.

• When working in a multiuser environment, users cannot create their own custom objects, changes made by other users may get affected by this.

Dealing with these issues

To deal with these issues, the best available solution is using a split database application. Split database application splits that database in two database files i.e. back-end database and front-end database. The back-end database contains only the tables and relationships and is located on a network file server whereas front-end database resides on each user’s computer. The front end database contains all the other database objects: queries, forms, reports, macros and modules.

Advantage of using split database application

Split database application helps to avoid performance, traffic related and other issues by offering these features and benefits:

• Application portion of the database is located on the user’s local hard disk that helps in enhancing performance.

• With split database application only data travels over the network. All other objects in the database are local and as a result network traffic gets reduced.

• With split database application, application updation becomes easier. All users can change design in front end database without tempering back-end database.

For using split database application all that needs to be done is using Database Splitter Wizard in Microsoft Access. This wizard automatically creates the back-end database, exports the tables into it, and then links them back to your front- end database.

Article Resource : Access Recovery

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