Suggestions for Access DBA Education?

[KarenK]

I’m helping a local non-profit with a small Access 365 application and would appreciate suggestions for educational materials on Access database administration. My background is with mainframe and SQL Server databases, so I know logical database design, SQL, etc. but am looking for info on database capacity planning, backup/recovery, physical file and/or index reorganization for performance (if such things exist in Access), performance monitoring and tuning, including reports on usage that imply tuning actions needed (again, if such things exist), etc. If Access databases don’t require hand holding and just sit there and do their thing, that fine, but I need to know that. Thanks in advance.

[orange]

Here is a Database Standard Operating Procedures pdf found via Google search. It may be a starting point that you could modify with appropriate details for your audience.

Here's another article. And yet another to help show various perspectives. You may be able to take some sections relevant to your needs and adjust as necessary.

I would suggest that an Access database would have a document(s) describing the structure and processes involved in the creation and operations as would any database/application using DBMS software. If the database involved is critical to the non-profit, then completeness of the document(s) is key as is the language/terminology for user/reader/admin.

Access may not need the capacity planning, nor index/physical file review and reorganization, nor details for performance monitoring that you would have for Oracle/SQLServer (corporate/multiuser/multilocation...) databases. But a good reference to the tables and relationships, field names and descriptions, documented function, queries, forms and reports is important. User manuals for Forms and Reports would be useful. Some operational procedures for Backup/Recovery would be mandatory.
There may be special requirements for month-end/year-end. You might even consider recording some sessions explaining the database and any procedures/steps involved so the non-profit/staff would have access to these for refresher/training. One of my colleagues used to do this with each project and the "user area personnel" involved - it was a 1/2 - 1 hour question and answer session.

You may find more specific DB Admin Procedures via searches/youtube. There may be some on the forum that could provide their setup and procedures.

[NoellaG]

Hi, if you have experience with SQL server, why not combine a free SQL express backend with an Access front-end: works great and on a database level you can use all your experience. I even have a non-profit organisation on SQL express backend with SQL reporting they can check on internet, and access forms for data maintenance.

[KarenK]

Orange: Good suggestions; I'll pursue. Thanks for the reply.
NoellaG: Interesting idea. Not sure we need SQL Express at this point as the app is small with just a few users, but will keep in mind. It's certainly a "better" dbms than Access.