Quality Access Programming and Design Since 1992 Providing custom datababas development throughout N.America
(515) 809-1700
Why choose us? Here's a secret many developers won't share: over the past 30 years, we've built a comprehensive library of bolt-in modules for almost any feature you need. Many developers charge as if each project is built from scratch, but we leverage our existing modules to save you time and money. This transparency and efficiency are reflected in your final bill, making us an experienced and honest choice.
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Consider the value of working with a developer who can easily add features like user-level login, automatic linking, emailing from within Access, and much more. Choose us for quality, affordability, and integrity. Use the Contact Us link above to send a message, call, or email. And just because I can't stand trying to evaluate products or services without knowing the price. Our pricing model is simple, for small jobs of less than 10 hours, the rate is $60/hr. for longer jobs, we'll negotiate. That's much less than the going rate for US-based expert Access developers.
MICROSOFT ACCESS SOFTWARE DESIGN & DEVELOPMENT
Programming combines the elements of both science and art.
The Science and Engineering of Software Development
The Art of Software
To most users, the intricate code driving the software is like an engine under the hood—only noticeable when something goes wrong. People typically focus on the features and aesthetics of a product. In software design, this translates to more than just code.
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The key aspects for users include ease of use, intuitive controls, and overall comfort—what we call the 'interface.' Exceptional software design prioritizes the user experience because, for users, the interface is the software.
Example of Our Work
Below is an Access database application developed a few years ago, designed to run on a touch-screen tablet and synchronize with our flagship cleaning management software. To see it in action on a touch-screen device, [click here].
WHAT IS AN ACCESS DEVELOPER?
Everything You May Want To Know and Then Some
The Importance of Terminology: Access Programmer vs. Access Developer
Traditionally, the term "Access Programmer" was used to describe those who write code for Microsoft Access applications. However, Access applications involve much more than just coding, leading us to adopt the term "Access Developer" to better represent the full scope of our work.
Search engines often struggle to associate these two terms, so it's crucial to include both "Access Programmer" and "Access Developer" throughout our website to ensure that users searching with either term can find us.​
Microsoft Access is a complete, self-contained development environment. This means that it includes many types of objects developers use to put together a complete "application" working expertly with all the elements below.
A Great Microsoft Access Application Developer Understands All the Elements
Understanding Properties: Microsoft Access applications come with various properties that skilled developers can manipulate through code. For instance, the ShowFullMenus property can be set to "No" to hide the default Access ribbons if a custom ribbon menu is implemented. Likewise, each control on a form such as a drop-down list has dozens of properties.
Forms: To users, forms are the application itself, representing most of the user interface. Forms display records and include controls for navigation, record selection, and more. The visual quality of forms—such as aligned controls and clear labels—reflects the developer's attention to detail. High-quality forms enhance usability and indicate professionalism.
Tables: Tables are the foundation of any database, containing fields with properties that control the type of information stored. Relationships between tables help manage data integrity and facilitate complex queries.
Queries: Queries retrieve data from tables and can be viewed graphically or in SQL (Structured Query Language) format. They are essential for data manipulation and reporting.
Reports: Reports format data for printing and can include code to control their appearance. They are crucial for generating professional-looking outputs from the database.
Modules: Code modules contain procedures and functions that control other objects within the database. Large applications can include hundreds of thousands of lines of code, demonstrating the developer's capability to manage complex systems.
Macros: Macros allow users to define actions without writing code. While they are useful for beginners, experienced developers typically avoid them in favor of more powerful code modules.
Controls: Controls perform various functions, with the most common being the Text Box, used to display data. Other controls include Command Buttons for actions like closing forms, Combo Boxes for drop-down lists, and labels for text display.
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What This Means for Developers
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Microsoft Access applications consist of numerous objects that need to be integrated into a cohesive, functional program.
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Good Developers understand the use of various objects and can combine these elements into a reasonably functional program.
Great Developers are Access Experts and master every aspect of the system, providing a user-friendly interface with powerful underlying functionality. They adhere to professional standards, ensuring that any other developer can understand and extend the application.
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The complexity of Access development requires a deep understanding of its components and the ability to create sophisticated, user-centric applications.