Database rebuild question

**wattaj** · 7 May 2020, 10:29

Originally posted by courtg9000 View Post

I have a large MS Access database (YES - I KNOW!) that started out as a quick and dirty short term solution with a limited shelf life.
This database handles various business interests and functions and has grown exponentially and is now multi user, not just me as originally planned and creaking at the seams. It is currently 6Gb with external files or attachments making up another 5GB

It currently handles the following: I have included rough numbers of items
Property (15 + related info, tenancies, tenants, comms, notes, maintenance certificates etc, some historic)
CRM, 40000 items (Firms, people, notes, contracts, documentation, lots of historic, also used for mailing lists, subscribers, sends a newsletter to 6,000 subscribers twice a month)
Timesheets/invoices + related items- 2000 items
Assets - 300 items, some historic, related notes
Products - 16,000, plus notes.
Advertising (5000 items).
Businesses/Deals (6000 items, lots of detail in each record) - Do not confuse with CRM above these are completely different.
General admin tables etc

It obviously needs a rebuild.
As a now ex IT Guy I may do this work myself. I also have a nice HP Proliant here to stick it on. This server is clean amd can have any OS put on it.
The big question is what to rebuild it in?
Any suguestions from the panel?

Hey Court, are you using this as a CRM to support your business? Maybe look at some of the open source CRM systems if so?, a.

**elsergiovolador** · 7 May 2020, 10:37

What is the problem?

Why do you think 6GB is large?

**wattaj** · 7 May 2020, 10:40

Originally posted by elsergiovolador View Post

What is the problem?

Why do you think 6GB is large?

All processing in an Access database occurs on the desktop. Fine for smaller, single user applications (e.g. cataloguing CDs, or favourite recipes), but it's a total PITA for anything else. Best avoided IMHO.

**courtg9000** · 7 May 2020, 10:45

Originally posted by wattaj View Post

Hey Court, are you using this as a CRM to support your business? Maybe look at some of the open source CRM systems if so?, a.

Its supporting more than one business.

I had SuiteCRM (its still on the web server) but I was having issues with listing the businesses. Some of those customers crossed over more than one business. I ended up shifting everything over.
Also open source CRM whilst good isn't great for managing property!

**courtg9000** · 7 May 2020, 10:46

Originally posted by elsergiovolador View Post

What is the problem?

Why do you think 6GB is large?

For Access - yes!

**wattaj** · 7 May 2020, 10:52

Originally posted by courtg9000 View Post

...Also open source CRM whilst good isn't great for managing property!

Interesting. What were the issues?

**elsergiovolador** · 7 May 2020, 10:57

Originally posted by courtg9000 View Post

For Access - yes!

I have not used Access in ages. RAM is cheap these days, would not slapping 2-4 x times db size help eg. 16 or 32GB?

**wattaj** · 7 May 2020, 11:07

Originally posted by elsergiovolador View Post

I have not used Access in ages. RAM is cheap these days, would not slapping 2-4 x times db size help eg. 16 or 32GB?

You're the sort of chap(ette?) that uses a butter knife to change a plug, aren't you?

#OneForTheOldtimers

**elsergiovolador** · 7 May 2020, 11:09

Originally posted by wattaj View Post

You're the sort of chap(ette?) that uses a butter knife to change a plug, aren't you?

#OneForTheOldtimers

If RAM is cheaper than an hour of my time and gets job done...

Database rebuild question