Replace the Access.

I found something practical to replace Microsoft’s Access Database (DBMS) that combines the Microsoft relational database engine with an easy graphical user interface and software development tools.

I speak for myself

I’ve known Access for 25 years developing applications mostly for the health area (medical offices and clinics).

With the evolution of computer hardware and network administration software, some applications were also contemplated for new client-server technology, most of them for Delphi, some in the clouds, but for some small customers, they chose to remain in Access and not even migrate to a different version. Delphi desktop hoping for some app update (last 2019).

I was intrigued by this user-application love and after researching all the versions (system documentation is everything), I find the simplicity in the code (VBA), in the tables and relationships.

With some research on the internet I found two interesting options for low-code applications: Anvil (Anvil | Build Web Apps with Nothing but Python) with cloud server hosting features, front end and back end incorporated in addition to its native code from the application in Python generating application on the internet and cell phone with support for multiple users.

Google AppSheet is a perfect evolution due to its ease of creation, maintenance, and distribution in all environments (Mobile, Desktop, or Tablet), whether the source of data is a spreadsheet or the creation of a relational database.

After 4 long months of studies and in the end, I developed a mechanic workshop application with characteristics of customers, repairs, cars, budgets, reports, graphs, etc.

In Anvil I spent 18 days on the structure, screens, reports, graphs, and functions in Python. Knowledge in the language is essential although it is not a problem even with the basics.

With Google AppSheet it was 4 days with the same characteristics, knowledge of the application’s functions, and SQL important for an application where the data source is a database, for the spreadsheet there is no need.

The choice

AppSheet for its ease of creation, simplicity, security, and integration with Google products. The cost of up to 10 users is free with 15 GB space (email and google drive).

Doctor’s Office APP

Project under development for production in AppSheet is a cardiology medical office in access since 2002 (several updates) with 5344 patients, 17 thousand consultations (anamnesis, exams, and prescriptions), financial control, graphs, and various reports.

I will post each step on this blog.