The MySQL/Sun Technical White Paper A Guide for Migrating from Microsoft Access to MySQL (login or registration required) provides insight into what is needed for considering a move from Access to MySQL and presents a number of options that help make for an easy transition. Both the business and technical sides of migrating to MySQL are covered. Both managers and seasoned technical developers, business analysts, and DBAs, will find the needed answers to questions that revolve around migrating to the world’s most popular open source database: MySQL.

Many MySQL customers have migrated from Microsoft Access because they have reached the conclusion that the combination of enhanced scalability (both in terms of concurrent userload and overall data volume), cost-savings, platform freedom, and feature set of MySQL make for a compelling business case to offload some or all their Access applications to the MySQL database server. In fact, the paper states, for the past three years, users and customers who have participated in MySQL’s global end of year survey have indicated that Microsoft Access is one of the top platforms they intend to remove and replace with MySQL.

A summary of why to consider a move to MySQL from Microsoft Access (other than cost) includes the following:

• MySQL runs great on the Microsoft OS platform, is extremely popular as evidenced by many developing and running production MySQL databases on Windows, but MySQL can also be ported to other operating systems if desired, whereas Access cannot.

• Regarding installation and configuration, MySQL installs faster, has a smaller software footprint, but is capable of scaling much higher than Access.

• There are no database size, concurrent user, or other such limits with MySQL as those found in Access.

• MySQL storage engines provide more flexibility and offer more performance and custom application options over Access’s file-based paradigm. Plus, the growing storage engine ecosystem gives MySQL great opportunity to quickly develop and innovate.

• MySQL’s feature set far exceeds Access.

• If high availability is desired, MySQL has a number of proven solutions including replication, SANs, DRBD, and MySQL Cluster.

• MySQL’s performance easily exceeds the Access/Jet database engine’ abilities.

• The ubiquity of MySQL, the Open Source nature of the product, and its great Community provide many benefits including a great developer and DBA network of everyone working together to help ensure a high-quality product and each other’s success.

Following the simple data migration steps outlined in this paper helps ensure a smooth transition from Access and ultimate success in the end. To assist with migrations from Access, MySQL offers the freely downloadable Migration Toolkit, which greatly lessens the amount of time it takes to perform database migrations and drastically reduces the amount of errors that normally result when such complex operations are attempted by hand. Making the switch from Access to MySQL – whether done in full or in a partial format where both MySQL and Access are used for the proper application situation – can make great sense, both from a financial and a technology perspective.

By following the guidelines and steps in this paper, users can be assured that they will succeed in their implementation of MySQL, no matter whether you are just testing the waters with open source or have made the full commitment to make it your preferred deployment platform.

The contents of the paper include:

• Why Migrating from Access Makes Good Business Sense
• The Technical Case for Migrating from Access to MySQL
• Practical Suggestions for Easy Migration from Access to MySQL
• MySQL Migration Aids
• Access to MySQL Datatype Conversion Suggestions
• Access to MySQL Function Conversion Suggestions
• Sample Migration

More Information

CIO Guide: The Strategic Value of MySQL

MySQL Enterprise Fall 2009 Release [...read more...]

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