Good morning,
I'm doing a project, the customer prefers to use Access 2013 as the all in one package - front end, database etc.
In short the customer will give their users a blank copy of the database, which is taken on site and used to generate data based on calibration of equipment for that site.
The problem is the customer doesn't want anyone being able to copy the access database and use it themselves. So basically when on site he doesn't want the customer or anyone to go "oh that database is hand, give me a copy and I'll use it for myself".
I know I can compile the database but that will only protect the source.
Any suggestions on the best way to limit the use of the database?
It's been a few years and I may be foggy on parts of this, but I know you can get around password protected databases, and can bypass the 'startup' form/code so that you can open the database and view all the objects. You are correct that an MDE will not show the code. But if you have a table of valid serial numbers or MAC Id's, then I would have a module that encrypts the data in that table. Otherwise someone could add their values and still run the program? We also did some devious things like create an install package that would create some hidden file in some existing folder (with a calculated value as content), then if Access didn't find that file & content it would not run.
Related
I have an MS Access 2016 application that a few people use in one department. I know this whole thing has web dev written all over it but this access database has been their process for a while and there is no time right now to switch over.
Recently, a different department wants to use this application, but having their own copy. Currently, if I need to make changes, I'll make the changes in a copy of the app, they send me a current version when I'm ready to import their data, I import it and send them back a new one. However, currently I copy the data table by table and past it into the new database. This is inefficient and tedious, and now with 2 sets of data I'd be doing this for, that's crazy. There's over 20 tables so I don't want to have to manually copy over 40+ tables across the 2 apps for even the smallest change like altering a message to the user.
I know I can copy the code so I can avoid importing the data, but sometimes for big changes I'll change over 15-20 vba files.
So, a couple questions:
1.Is there a way to generate insert statements for the entire database that I could run in a script? So when I create the new copy I just upload 1 file and it populates all the data?
2.Are there any kind of dev tools that will help this process? Right now I'm thinking that it's just a downfall of creating an MS Access app, but there must be some way that people have made the "new release" process easier. My current system seems flawed and I'm looking to have a more stable process.
EDIT:
Currently I have all my data stored locally, attached to the same access file as the front end. Since I will have 2 different departments using the same functionality, how do I manage the data/the front-end? These 2 departments should have their own access file to enter data using the forms, so having 1 front end between the 2 departments won't work.
Also, should I create 2 separate back-ends? Currently I would have nothing to distinguish what is being inserted/changed/deleted from one department from the other. If I were to attach a field specifying who entered the record, that would require a complete overall of all my queries which I don't have the time for as there are deadlines I need to meet.
First thing is to split the database. There is a wizard for this.
Then you can maintain the frontend without touching the real data.
Next, consider using a script to distribute revised versions of the frontend. I once wrote an article on one proven method to handle this:
Deploy and update a Microsoft Access application in a Citrix environment
I've just been assigned the task to create another Access DB whose data is a subset of the master DB. I didn't build the original DB and I'm just stuck in trying to create this functionality.
Depending on a Boolean value (which I will have to integrate into the DB) each entry will dictate if all the entries data will be shared or if only a portion of the data will be shared. By sharing I mean transferring the entries into a mirror DB that is located in a folder that a wider group of people has access to.
I don't know how to even start but I'm guessing that the relations structure that the person who built the DB will be helpful for when I erased an entire entry in the DB it erased all data in other tables related to my entry as well.
For added "fun" I'm suppose to manage a C.R.U.D. system for this subset in case either a person accidentally clicks on the share button (Create) and wants to unshared the data (Delete) or when part of the original gets updated and the mirror then needs to get updated as well (Updated).
I'm hoping to get a few good ideas as to how to proceed.
Limitations and Info that I see might be relevant.
-The original DB is located in a folder whose permissions are restricted to people entering data.
-Can't use third party applications that require an install.
-The mirror DB does not have to updated automatically when the master DB updates. It can be restricted to when a user clicks a button called "Updated Mirror DB". (Only if this would provide a simpler solution)
-The process can be as slow as molasses in winter as long as it is robust.
-I have decent VBA skills when it comes to working in Excel but it lacks when related to Access.
-Users who create and manage the data have read and write access to both the folder that the master DB is in and as well the mirror DB.
-Using Access 2007 - 2010
Thanks everyone for take a look at this. If you would require more info to provide assistance please just ask and I'll do my best to acquire it.
Seeing as you have decent vba, and you're limited to apps which don't require an install, I suggest you do it as an excel vba app. VBA has all the functionality you'll need to copy databases from one spot to another on the file system, compact and repair (adox), drop tables you don't need, insert/update/delete etc.
Depending on which info you need to persist to the mirror db, it may be easier to simply make a copy of the master db and delete irrelevant tables (if it's only certain tables you need to mirror). If it's a subset of data in each table, you may find the best way would be to make a template db, which is a copy of the master db but with no data, then create a vba process to copy the template db, create linked tables in this one back to the master, then run sql to insert into the local tables select (whatever data you need to mirror) from the master tables.
All of this can be done in vba, and your users end up with an excel interface which will be very familiar. Good luck.
My question is as follows. When I recieve a usage fee for an application I developed in Access 2007 I send out the application to my client, but how do I make sure that the client won't simply copy the database and redistribute it. Thus letting the client's client avoid the usage fee for the application.
I have put a 128-bit encryption on the application to secure the data in the tables and also converted it from a .Accdb to .Accde to secure the forms, reports, query's and VBA.
Also, I let them sign a legal document in which it states that the application cannot be redistributed unless authorized by me, but of course I'd rather they couldn't even if they tried.
What are my options here? I thought about linking a license code (handmade by me) to a certain MAC-Address that I can retrieve with VBA. And only making the database usable in case they match. But would this even work and is it easy to bypass?
Any help would be greatly appreciated,
thanks in advance for any suggestions/replies.
Edit: Thanks Dork Programmer for your reply.
In the end I chose to go for the drive volume number to give access to the application. I am aware that this changes when the disk is formatted and there is a slight possibility that it is not unique, however I believe this will have to do as I am unable to retrieve the manufactures hard drive serial number (which would be unique)
In conclusion; the client wil give me their drive vol number, I then add this to a table that holds these numbers. I then apply all my security measures and send the client the app. When the application opens the app will only be usable if a match is found between the clients disk vol number and the values in the table, else it will close the app. Should a client decide to format his/her disk or remove it they could then contact me and I'd add the new number to the approved numbers table and send them the app back.
I just sharing what I did on my ms-access application
First, I create some form with the VBA code inside to enter the unique code
Then I create some Hidden table to store the unique code and also to store the IP address/Computer name that database located.
Based on my experience, this method is quite enough effective to avoid user copying the database or moving it to another computer.
i have 2 questions when i use access:
i create a form with comboBox and calenders, i want to choose an employee
from combobox and from date and to date and when i click ok i will send these
parameters to a query to return the result in a query (result is the calculation
of it's salary).
i know how to release an access project to be useful to user that can't
access tables and queries only forms.
is there any way to change the access project from release mode to development
one, because supposed that an error occurred, how to solve it without loosing
my data.
Note: i don't have client/server i develop a program and i release it and
give this release to the user, after a specific time this user tell me that
an error occurred, and he need data inserted from this program to database.
i can solve this problems and release another version of program, but the
main problem is how to take all data from the old program to the new one.
-- You can reference form control in a query:
SELECT FROM MyTable
WHERE EmployeeID = Forms!MyForm!cboEmployee
AND SomeDate BETWEEN Forms!MyForm!txtDateStart And Forms!MyForm!txtDateEnd
You could also build an SQL string and use it as the record source for a form or in VBA.
-- Access should be split into front-end (forms, reports, etc) and back-end (data). When you make changes to the front-end, you create a new mde or accde and send that to the users. The data stays on a server in the back-end.
See: http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/aa167840(v=office.11).aspx
EDIT
From your comments, it seems that each application has a single user, if this is the case, splitting is not essential, but it can still be a good idea. The user will get two databases, one for data and one for forms etc and only the one for forms gets replaced. You will need to include a routine to locate and link the back-end tables.
However, if this is not possible, an mde or accde does not hide the data, you can send your revised copy and include a routine to import from the previous mde/accde.
EDIT 2
There are wizards that will split your database for you and link the tables. Where you find them varies slightly from version to version, but they are under the menu item Database Tools. The only problem with this is that the linked table holds the location for the back-end, which is on your computer, not on your users computer. Linked tables are how you access data in the second database. These act as if there are tables in the first database, except you cannot change them. Unfortunately, linked tables hold the location of the back-end, so this will have to be changed if you are sending it to a users. You can either write code, or show your user how to use the linked table manager. This may lead to confusion and may not be worth the effort for one PC. (See also http://www.alvechurchdata.co.uk/accsplit.htm)
Alternatively, you can split the database on your PC and make all the changes to forms etc that you want, then add some code that will import the tables and other data for the user into your new copy. The user will follow the instructions in your code to import the tables. As an aside, you will find that development is a lot safer on a split database. You should also decompile from time to time, which you can find at http://www.granite.ab.ca/access/decompile.htm.
If you want to protect your code, you can create a compiled version of this new copy, the extension for a compiled Access database is *.accde, for 2007 onward and *.mde for prior versions. This is what I thought you meant by 'i know how to release an access project'.
I've created a database in access 2007 that needs to be used by 3 users. I'm stuck because I don't know whether to place a copy on each users' computer or to place it on their SQL server. Placing it on the server would mean one access point which is desirable for data consistency but I don't know whether I need ActiveX. Don't know how to use it either. If I place it one each computer how do I work around the master file updates? Can somebody please break it all down, I'm a NEWBIE!!
Your question seems rather confused to me. You mention a SQL Server, but you don't say your application uses SQL Server for its data storage.
Thus, I can only assume that you have a single MDB or ACCDB file with your data tables and forms and reports all in the one file.
The only proper way to distribute this app is:
split it into front end (forms/reports/etc.) with linked tables that point to the back end (data tables only).
place the back end on your file server and relink your tables to point to the new location of the back end.
give a copy of the front end to each of the 3 users, who will run it from their desktop computers. If you're concerned about distributing changes to the front end, something like Tony Toews's front-end updater is very useful.
Others have jumped in to say that you should put the data in SQL Server, but most 3-user Access apps don't need the power of SQL Server. If you're not given administrative permissions on your SQL Server, it could be quite difficult to continue to alter your application's database.
On the other hand, if your database is going to grow to 1GB or more, or if you have strict security requirements, or if the data in your database is so important as to need completely failproof backups, then SQL Server would be a reasonable data store.
For most homegrown apps, not so much.
The "best" way I've worked this out is using Linked Tables in Access to go to SQL Server (since you stated you have that..?).
Using access as a front end in this scenario isn't the best thing you can do, but with 2007, it's a bit better than if you were a few versions back. Check out this article for info on linking Access into SqlServer:
Import or link to SQL Server data
One easy way is to use the EQL Data plugin: http://eqldata.com
That way you can give a copy of the database to each user, but users can sync the database with other users whenever they want. You can also access your tables and queries on the web.