Microsoft Access

Our organization uses Microsoft Access to create and manage databases based on our unique data sets. Access gives us the flexibility for different staff members to generate reports for their programming needs. We also have the option to view the database in different views. This is important since the level of technological competence differs for staff, so having the option to view data in different ways is more meaningful and helpful to staff.

• We have only been able to train about 20% of employees to the point of competency with Access.
• The younger workforce doesn't appear tolerant of individual level of data entry

Microsoft 365, Microsoft Excel, Cloud Signage for Google Drive

We needed a lightweight solution that could be easily integrated with our SQL server and could be installed on the user's computers

• Included in our office 365 licenses
• Lightweight
• Flexible

• No cost for us
• Easy installation
• Small learning curve

PostgreSQL and MySQL

PostgreSQL, AWS Elastic Beanstalk, Azure Machine Learning

• The ability to create ER diagrams easily.
• Easy to use classic Microsoft user interface makes it easier to use for folks with little technical knowhow.
• Very low cost and pocket friendly to use.

• Microsoft Access is very low in cost as compared to its competitors and provides value for money spent.
• Comes with Office Suite for your whole organization. Easy to install and use.
• Many people had to shift to Windows in order to use those as there is no Mac version.

Snowflake

Snowflake, DataGrip, Tableau Desktop

• Relational database with the ability to pull data from multiple tables to create queries
• Creating reports on events held by our department with important data collected
• Ability to import data from Excel into Access or export Access tables into Excel
• Having pre-defined macros that can be customized to open specific reports or forms, etc.
• Easily change what data is included in reports or forms by editing previous queries to select new criteria

• Microsoft Access has had a mostly positive impact on our business objectives in that most of our work is funded by grants and those grants need reports with data about our projects. Microsoft Access makes getting and organizing that data very easy.
• Another positive is that since it is built on an Excel backbone, Excel files can be easily imported into Microsoft Access and also it is easy to export Microsoft Access reports, data sheets, etc. into Excel and some other programs as well. That might help more people who already use Excel learn how to work in a database.
• I can't really think of a negative impact other than not many people at my workplace have ever used or understand how to use a database. Most people tend to use Excel rather than a database, like Microsoft Access.

Microsoft 365 (formerly Office 365), Adobe PhotoShop, Canva

• Customization
• Form creation
• Mailmerge/emails

• Most cheap small-scale options aren't customizable enough. [Microsoft] Access is effectively the only option that mostly gives everything we need.
• Without [Microsoft] Access, our process would be a mess of inefficiencies.

SAP Crystal and Salesforce CMS

Veracross, Microsoft Office 2016 (discontinued), Google Drive