Caspio, an online database platform for creating Web applications without programming, announced the launch of its Access Migration Kit, which provides a package of tools and services for developers to bring their Microsoft Access databases online. With last week’s launch of Microsoft Office 2010, there has been a lot of attention surrounding the new Office Web Apps, which allows users to stay connected to their Office applications on the go. Caspio said Office 2010 does not provide the ability to easily create Web-based apps using Microsoft Access because it requires a multistep integration with a SharePoint server.
Caspio is designed to be intuitive for Access users, with built-in, step-by-step wizards that help eliminate the complexities of creating database-bound Web forms, reports and apps, and guide the user through the app creation process from start to finish. The hosted service enables migration with features such as built-in import and export functions that can read and write Microsoft Access MDB format files and the ability to publish imported data to any Website, SharePoint and content management systems, hosted anywhere through reports or interactive searchable apps.
Additional features include point-and-click tools that allow for the application interface design to be completed without programming, a SOAP-compatible API that allows developers to extend the capabilities of their online apps with any programming or scripting language, including ASP, ASP.Net, and VB.Net, a scalable online platform that supports up to two million records in each table and serves thousands of users simultaneously and security and reliability standards including SSL, SAS 70, PCI compliance, Section 508 accessibility and TRUSTe certification.
Additionally, Caspio offers a plug-in for Microsoft Access and Excel whereby customers can synchronize an offline copy of their data with their online database. The plug-in automatically downloads users’ Caspio-hosted data to their local desktop and keeps it refreshed, allowing them to use the Microsoft Office productivity suite to run local analysis on the data, mail merge or integrate with other applications.
To encourage Access developers to try Caspio for online database migration, the company is offering an Access Migration Kit that includes a free trial of Caspio Bridge, unlimited data import, video tutorials, a whitepaper on Access migration, an upcoming instructional Webinar, and a consultation with a database migration expert.
“Microsoft Office 2010 is an exciting release; however, Access developers are still challenged to find a viable solution for Web-centric data management,” said Caspio founder and CEO Frank Zamani. “Caspio’s cloud platform provides what’s missing in Microsoft Access, allowing for easy online databases and Web app creation.”