Is there a better option than Access for this?

[Kevo]

Hi All,
I have limited abilities in Access and have created databases in the past. I need to create a database program for my current business and thought that while I am going through the trouble, I might as well make it polished enough to sell. This is a unique business that I could easily sell to (my good friend is the president of our state association and runs many trade shows for our industry.) Current programs that were created for our business are in the $300-$500 range and are not very popular. I could sell hundreds of these if I can come up with something simple for around $50-100 price point.

So, I have 2 questions.



1) How difficult is it to copy protect a database?
2) Is there a better programming platform (even if it means outsourcing the programming) for a simple database windows program for resell?

Thanks
Kevin

[CJ_London]

1. what do you want to protect? the backend (which is the database i.e. tables containing data) or (I suspect you mean) the front end which is the forms/queries/reports/code etc
2. depends on what the application is required to do - your question is a bit like asking - which is better a Ferrari or a tractor?

It is actually very difficult to produce a commercially acceptable solution to work in a wide variety of environments (Win XP,7,8,10/win 32bit,64bit/office 32bit, 64bit/access 2007, 2010,2013,2016). And what works for you doesn't necessarily work for someone else.

Suggest that since you have limited abilities in Access and require a polished result you would be better not developing yourself (it will take you away from your core business) but commission someone to develop it for you - perhaps on a shared basis

[ItsMe]

I would look for answers regarding Mobile vs. Desktop and also Native vs. Web.

Here are some results from a quick search ...
http://www.sitepoint.com/native-vs-h...p-development/

and

http://www.quirksmode.org/blog/archi..._native_l.html


.

[Micron]

You can protect all the code and objects in a front end; the back end would only contain user data and would not help anyone else very much. So the vast majority of your application would have to use code. Your biggest threat would be piracy. You can limit the number of concurrent users in an honest business environment using a licencing scheme, but beyond that, you can't control unauthorized re-distribution of your application, along with the licence keys. If you figure out a way, let Microsoft know because that's where you'll make some real money. Another major consideration is that a web-based program is often a business requirement. A standard Access application requires every user to either have a full copy of Access, or the run-time version, which means your app will be subject to certain limiations, and complete error handling is a must.