Access Database Conversion
A manufacturing company in Michigan relied on an Access 2003 database for production scheduling, inventory tracking, and shop floor reporting. After 15 years of daily use, the aging format caused compatibility issues with modern Office installations and prevented the team from using newer Access features.
Project Scope
- Client:Mid-size manufacturing company, 12 concurrent users.
- Source:Access 2003 (.mdb) with 40+ tables, 25 forms, 18 reports, and extensive VBA.
- Target:Access 2013 (.accdb) with split front-end/back-end architecture.
- Timeline:12 hours over 3 business days.
Challenges Encountered
- Deprecated VBA references:DAO 3.6 library calls failed in 2013. Updated to current DAO and replaced deprecated methods.
- Broken ActiveX controls:Legacy calendar controls were replaced with standard Access date pickers.
- Missing objects:Hidden system tables and orphaned query dependencies surfaced during import.
- Performance regression:Initial testing showed slower queries due to missing indexes lost during conversion.
Our Conversion Process
- Full backup of the original .mdb and network share permissions documented.
- Created a new .accdb and imported all objects using the Access import feature.
- Compiled VBA project and fixed 47 compile errors from deprecated syntax.
- Split the database — tables moved to a back-end on the server, forms/reports in front-end.
- Rebuilt indexes on all foreign keys and frequently queried fields.
- User acceptance testing with 3 power users before full rollout.
Results
- All 12 users migrated to the new front-end within one week.
- Query performance improved 40% after index rebuild and split architecture.
- Client gained access to modern features: PDF export, improved form layouts, and 64-bit support.
- Zero data loss — record counts verified table by table post-conversion.
Need a Database Conversion?
AccessDeveloper.net specializes in Access version upgrades, SQL Server migrations, and legacy database modernization. Whether you are on Access 2003, 2007, or 2010, we ensure a smooth transition with minimal downtime. Contact us for a free assessment of your database.