Migrate from Microsoft Access to a Web Application

Replace your desktop-bound Access database with a cloud-accessible web application — multi-user, secure, and available anywhere.

Migration: Access to Web App

From Microsoft Access to Custom Web Application

Why Migrate

  • Cloud Access: Access databases are trapped on desktops or file shares. Web applications are accessible from any device, anywhere, with real-time collaboration.
  • Multi-User Scalability: Access struggles beyond 10 concurrent users and 2GB file size. Web applications scale to thousands of users with millions of records.
  • Modern Security: Replace file-share security with role-based access control, encryption, audit logs, and SSO integration.

Migration Roadmap

  1. Access Database Audit (1–2 weeks): Catalog all Access tables, queries, forms, reports, macros, and VBA modules. Design the PostgreSQL schema.
    • Table and relationship inventory
    • Query conversion plan
    • Form and report catalog
  2. Application Build (4–8 weeks): Build the web application with equivalent forms, queries, and reports. Migrate VBA logic to server-side code.
    • Web application with all forms
    • Converted queries and reports
    • Business logic migration
  3. Data Migration (1–2 weeks): Export Access data to PostgreSQL, validate referential integrity, and run parallel testing with users.
    • Migrated database
    • Data validation report
    • User acceptance testing

Risks & Mitigation

  • Complex VBA macros are difficult to convert: We analyze each VBA module and rewrite as server-side TypeScript with unit tests validating output parity for all business logic.
  • Users depend on Access-specific report layouts: We recreate critical reports as web views with PDF export, matching the layout and data presentation users rely on.

Estimated Scope

Hours: 160–320 | Cost: $320–$640 | Timeline: 6–12 weeks

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you replicate our Access forms?
Yes. We rebuild all forms as responsive web interfaces with the same data entry workflow, validation rules, and lookup fields.
What happens to our Access queries?
Access queries are converted to PostgreSQL views and stored procedures, often with better performance and additional capabilities.
Can we still generate the same reports?
Yes. We rebuild Access reports as web-based views with filtering, sorting, and PDF export matching your current report layouts.