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Another cause of corruption of Access data is attempting to connect the Access FE to an Access BE over a wireless network. &nbsp;Wireless networks are inherently unstable and use of an Access FE linked to an Access BE over &nbsp;a wireless network is bound to cause disconnects and lost data. &nbsp;If you need to do this over a wireless connection, then you should consider using SQL Server (the Express version is free) as the database BE.<br />
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Dale
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Just keep in mind that if you decide to for a database platform like MySQL or PostgresSQL or even MS-SQL &nbsp;you will have to use a framework, like PHP or Ruby or .NET for the UI to build on top of that, which is not trivial task. Giving the fact that at the present your needs are covered by Excel I can assume that the usage and load are nothing too big and if you are familiar with Access than this seems your best shot. Access has the framework for the UI as well as the data in one package so it should give you what you need. As per a previous post you could use Access with MS-SQL if you want but I don't think is necessary. On top of that you will have to consider licensing for it.
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Just keep in mind that if you decide to for a database platform like MySQL or PostgresSQL or even MS-SQL &nbsp;you will have to use a framework, like PHP or Ruby or .NET for the UI to build on top of that
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As I said, Access is a FINE FE for SQL Server. &nbsp;It is also a fine FE for Oracle, DB2, Sybase, and pretty much any other RDBMS that supports ODBC. &nbsp;Access out of the box at version 1 supported ODBC and has always been a multi-user platform. &nbsp;I adopted Access in the early 90's with version 2.0 when I discovered that I could link to DB2 tables on our IBM mainframe and actually update them and I haven't looked back. &nbsp;At least 90% of the apps I create, use a &quot;real&quot; RDBMS as the BE. &nbsp;All the bad press you ever see about Access is targeted at Jet which people who don't know anything about Access cannot separate from Access the RAD tool which is used to build applications. &nbsp;Jet (.mdb) and ACE (.accdb) are the desktop database engines that are inseparable in the minds of many from Access but although Access (which is what its name is all about) uses Jet or ACE to store its own objects doesn't need to use Jet or ACE to store data.<br />
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Access as an FE is infinitely scalable because every user has his own copy of the FE much the same way that every user would have his own copy of myprogram.exe if you built in a compiled language. &nbsp;The only limit for Access linked to ODBC databases is the number of CALs you bought.<br />
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Access is however close to useless over a WAN so it is a LAN tool only. &nbsp;If you have multiple sites to support and you want to build an Access solution, you're going to need something like Citrix or RDS.
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Thanks so much for all the replies.
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At some point in the next six months, I have to create a database for my department's inventory. &nbsp;Currrently, the department is using Excel 2013. &nbsp;The database only has about twenty fields. &nbsp;However, Ideally, I would like several departments to use it. &nbsp;In the past, I have used Access for these databases. &nbsp;However, my concern is that sometimes in the past Access gets corrupted. &nbsp;Especially, when using through the network. &nbsp;I have not used Access in a while, so not sure if it is more robust now or not. &nbsp;Or, I would like to know if any database expert may have a different opinion and/or suggestion. &nbsp;Thanks in advance.
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At some point in the next six months, I have to create a database for my department's inventory.  Currrently, the department is using Excel 2013.  The database only has about twenty fields.  However, Ideally, I would like several departments to use it.  In the past, I have used Access for these databases.  However, my concern is that sometimes in the past Access gets corrupted.  Especially, when using through the network.  I have not used Access in a while, so not sure if it is more robust now or not.  Or, I would like to know if any database expert may have a different opinion and/or suggestion.  Thanks in advance.

Best Database for Inventory

Databases are organized collections of data, most commonly accessed through management systems including schemas, tables, queries and processes that allow users to enter and manipulate the information or utilize it in other fashions, such as with web applications or for reporting purposes.

Databases

Microsoft Access is a rapid application development (RAD) relational database tool. Access can be used for both desktop and web-based applications, and uses VBA (Visual Basic for Applications) as its coding language.

Microsoft Access

Networking is the process of connecting computing devices, peripherals and terminals together through a system that uses wiring, cabling or radio waves that enable their users to communicate, share information and interact over distances. Often associated are issues regarding operating systems, hardware and equipment, cloud and virtual networking, protocols, architecture, storage and management.

Networking

Microsoft SQL Server is a suite of relational database management system (RDBMS) products providing multi-user database access functionality.SQL Server is available in multiple versions, typically identified by release year, and versions are subdivided into editions to distinguish between product functionality. Component services include integration (SSIS), reporting (SSRS), analysis (SSAS), data quality, master data, T-SQL and performance tuning.