Configure Microsoft SQL Server Express for Multiuser Environments

Microsoft SQL Server is an enterprise quality database management system that's usually hosted by a server and can scale across multiple servers and locations.

For local PC, small databases, and less critical situations, Microsoft offers a limited version of SQL Server called SQL Server Express. SQL Server Express can be downloaded for free and installed on your local PC. It can also host databases that are shared across your network.

We have a new page on how to do it: Configure Microsoft SQL Server Express for Multiuser Environments.

Using Total Access Emailer with SendGrid SMTP Server

Total Access Emailer lets you send personalized emails and attach filtered Access reports to all your contacts. It relies on an SMTP server to do so. Office 365 is a popular choice, but so is SendGrid which is offered with Microsoft Azure.

We have a new support page on how to integrate Total Access Emailer with SendGrid's SMTP protocol addressing some common issues that arise.

Visit our SendGrid SMTP Error 20162 support page for more information.

Running Microsoft Access via Remote Desktop and Remote App including Hosting on the Microsoft Azure Cloud

Since Microsoft introduced Terminal Services with Windows Server 2008, it is possible to host multiuser Microsoft Access applications (and other programs) without installing anything on the user's machines. Your users can run the programs from within your corporate network, or even across the Internet when hosted on the Microsoft Azure cloud. As a result, PC and Mac users can run your Access solution.

We can help you evaluate the options and tradeoffs, and implement a migration path to ensure a smooth transition to a remote hosted platform. For more information visit our page, Running Microsoft Access via Remote Desktop and Remote App including Hosting on the Microsoft Azure Cloud.

How to Change the Update Channels for Microsoft 365 Apps

Having Microsoft 365 allows users to receive new and updated features to keep their Office apps like Access, Excel and Word current.

There are several Update Channel options that send new features, security updates and non-security updates at different periods of time. Our FMS Development Team has created a page that explains the different types of Update Channels for Microsoft 365 and how to change from one Update Channel to another.

For more information, visit How to Change the Update Channels for Microsoft 365 Apps.

Microsoft Access Database Architecture: Storing Temporary Data and User Settings

Many users grow annoyed that they have to re-enter their last specifications when the application should start with those specifications as its default.

FMS President Luke Chung has written a page how to store Temporary Data and User Settings in your Applications.

For more information, visit Microsoft Access Database Architecture: Storing Temporary Data and User Settings.

Improved Date/Time Extended Data Type

Microsoft has introduced a new and improved Date/Time Extended Data Type. This allows users to enhance syntax compatibility with SQL, and to increase accuracy and level of detail in records that include dates and times. To enable this feature, select 'New Field' and then 'Date & Time Extended'.

For more information on this improved feature, visit Using the Date/Time Extended Data Type.

Microsoft Office 365 Access Update Version Releases

Microsoft Office 365 offers continuous updates that occur automatically monthly or every six months depending on your settings. Our team has created this page to list all of the updates that Microsoft released for the Microsoft Office 365 Update Channels.

For more information, visit Microsoft Office 365 Access Update Version Releases.

Remove 'Save to SharePoint Site' Prompt from a Microsoft Access Database

Our FMS Developers received a client's Microsoft Access database that had the following prompt above the database when it was opened.

They did not know how to remove this prompt because the original SharePoint site no longer exists, so clicking on the 'Save to SharePoint Site' button did not help. Fortunately, our developers found a simple solution, thanks to George Hepworth, Microsoft Access MVP!

For more information on the solution, visit Remove 'Save to SharePoint Site' Prompt from an Access Database.

COVID-19 Contact Tracing Software

Contact Tracing is critical to minimizing the spread of COVID-19 in your community. Sentinel Visualizer can be used to store the data on your students, teachers, staff, family members, classes, clubs, sports, etc. When positive tests occur, quickly identify the common links.

Leverage your information to quickly identify those who need to be tested and quarantined while limiting the impact on the wider community. For more information and to see how Sentinel Visualizer can be used for contact tracing, visit COVID-19 Contact Tracing Software.

Sentinel Visualizer Version 9 Released

Sentinel Visualizer is our advanced link analysis and data visualization program providing insight into patterns and trends hidden in your data.

We're pleased to release version 9 with many new features including shapes, layouts, document text search, get links between entities, transformations, dataset builder, improved performance and more!

For more information on the new features, visit our Sentinel Visualizer 9 page.

Virtual Access DevCon 2021

April 22 - 23, 2021

Microsoft Access MVP Karl Donaubauer announced the Virtual Access DevCon will take place on April 22 - 24, 2021.

The Virtual DevCon will be two days packed with presentations in English by experts from Europe and the USA, an opportunity to get the latest news on Microsoft Access, see advanced techniques and thrilling real world applications, as well as meeting colleagues from all over the world.

For more information, visit the Access DevCon website.

Access Cascade Conference 2021

October 16 - 18, 2021

Portland, Oregon

Jack Stockton and PAUG (Portland Access User Group) have announced that they will be stepping down as organizers for the PAUG conference!

We at FMS want to thank Jack Stockton for all his hard work and dedication in bringing everyone together for a one of a kind Access Conference.

J Street Technology will assume the organizer role and has given the conference a new name - the Access Cascade Conference! It will take place on October 16 - 18, 2021 at the Conference Center in Silver Falls State Park, Oregon. For more information, visit J Street Technology Access Events.