Access Front End to MySQL Database for Reporting

[Appelq]

I just had an outside company develop a small application using MySQL
and server side Java.

The application is OK (not great), and the reason for server side Java
was that I need to use the app on a WAN with slow connection speeds
(128K / 384K).

Obviously, I can't just Load Access on these clients and have them try
to bang on a central DB accross the WAN. The users would Lynch me.

However, to do the simplest changes takes several hours of programming
in the Java environment by the conultant. I don't believe they are
ripping me off, I just think the Java environment is much harder to
program in than using MS Access.

So, what I really want to do is develop further interface stuff in MS
Access, starting with new reports, and possibly replacing the Java code
comlpetely at some point.

Of couse I need to overcome the limitations of running Access on my
WAN.

I have a vague understanding that it might be doable with Widows
Terminal Services, but don't have experience with that. Also, someone
else told me to forget trying it with Active Server Pages.

Also, what if I wanted to give access to this from the internet itself?
(Not important, just curious)

Can anyone outline a few options? (or am I crazy to think I can have an
Access front end?)

Thanks,
Chuck

[Bri]

Appelq wrote:

I just had an outside company develop a small application using MySQL
and server side Java.

The application is OK (not great), and the reason for server side Java
was that I need to use the app on a WAN with slow connection speeds
(128K / 384K).

Obviously, I can't just Load Access on these clients and have them try
to bang on a central DB accross the WAN. The users would Lynch me.

However, to do the simplest changes takes several hours of programming
in the Java environment by the conultant. I don't believe they are
ripping me off, I just think the Java environment is much harder to
program in than using MS Access.

So, what I really want to do is develop further interface stuff in MS
Access, starting with new reports, and possibly replacing the Java code
comlpetely at some point.

Of couse I need to overcome the limitations of running Access on my
WAN.

I have a vague understanding that it might be doable with Widows
Terminal Services, but don't have experience with that. Also, someone
else told me to forget trying it with Active Server Pages.

Also, what if I wanted to give access to this from the internet itself?
(Not important, just curious)

Can anyone outline a few options? (or am I crazy to think I can have an
Access front end?)

You should take a look at the MySQL site and their MyODBC driver. I have
an app where I connect an AC97 FE to a MySQL BE on a remote server. It
works, but you have to be careful that you craft your forms, reports and
queries to pull the minimum amount of data across the connection if you
want to have reasonable response. You can also use PassThrough queries
on the Access side or Views and SPs on the MySQL side to help with this.

--
Bri