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04.04.2008 at 08:07PM PDT, ID: 23297903
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Converting from Pervasive to MS SQL Server 2005

One side of our business installs and supports Accpac, using Pervasive 9.0, on small 3-6 user XP workgroups.  When they have database problems, it is often a disaster; Accpac tech support is of little help, and warns us not to try anything on our own, and to deal with one of few "recovery centers" they recommend who, at a high price, can safely work with the damaged data.  It's hard for me to believe, but true.

In contrast, on my side of the business we write vb.net apps for portable devices in the compact framework environment, and we utilize SQL 2005 Server for out database.  Surely this is a stripped down version, but it is easy to use, rock solid, and I know how to export data to a text file, massage data, and re-import to a given table.

So now I'm thinking we should consider the SQL database in place of the Pervasive for Accpac, based on the ease of use I've experiened in the compact environment.  Is that ease of use and ability to export/import still there with the non-compact versions?  I worry about that, because I read threads online that talk about how complex it is to configure and maintain SQL.

I also see very high pricing on various version of SQL, yet I've also seen where MS has a free "Server Express" version that handles tables up to 4GB.  So since Accpac says they support SQL Server 2005, does that inherently mean that we could use this free Server Express version if our files don't get too large?

Or is it all more complex than this?  Bottom line...can we get long-term benefits by switching to SQL without paying a lot more?  TIA
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Question Stats
Zone: Microsoft
Question Asked By: sasllc
Solution Provided By: the_b1ackfox
Participating Experts: 2
Solution Grade: A
Views: 0
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04.04.2008 at 10:24PM PDT, ID: 21287163

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04.05.2008 at 09:59AM PDT, ID: 21288770

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04.05.2008 at 11:05PM PDT, ID: 21290923

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04.07.2008 at 05:12AM PDT, ID: 21296022

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04.04.2008 at 10:24PM PDT, ID: 21287163
Sounds like switching to SQL has multiple benefits.   1) A wider technical base with which to help in time of need.  2) Free use of the Database with express (yes free to use as long as your data does not grow beyond 4gb)  3) greater compatibility - as you said you are familiar with it.  

I would think as a business consideration, you would set your clients up in a situation that was optimal for their use and data recovery... ;)
Accepted Solution
 
04.05.2008 at 09:59AM PDT, ID: 21288770
Say my app uses 5 files, each of which include 4 tables.  Is that cumulative total size for all five FILES what needs to be below 4GB for the Server Express version?  Or, are they just saying that no ONE file with its tables can be over 4GB---meaning that you could have three 2GB files (with various tables embedded)?

Also, does this Server Express version allow for multiple users to access it simultaneously---like in our case typically with 3 - 6 users?
 
04.05.2008 at 11:05PM PDT, ID: 21290923
Cumulative : 4GB in size... and we have a small system setup where 7 users are accessing the DB at the same time.
 
04.07.2008 at 05:12AM PDT, ID: 21296022
Another solution is to simply start working with the Pervasive database directly.  With respect to corruption, there are some very easy tools for dealing with corrupted files, and many can be easily repaired with no issues.  Get more information from www.goldstarsoftware.com/press.asp in the white paper on Btrieve data file maintenance, or check out training classes on the same site for everything the system administrator needs to know to properly maintain a Pervasive environment.

On the other hand, how many SQL Server databases have you had to repair?  Probably none -- since repair of THIS environment is even MORE painful than Pervasive.  Of course, you also have a SQLServer DBA who's job it is to maintain proper backups, and you just go back to the backup if a hardware failure causes a problem.  In workgroup environments like Access, Advantage, and Pervasive, there is NO DBA in charge of it, so as a result, backups are usually nonexistent, and a repair is a needed option.

Back to your original question -- you will also want to confirm that Accpac is supported on SQLServer Express before committing to it.

Just some thoughts...
Assisted Solution
 
 
20080236-EE-VQP-29 / EE_QW_2_20070628