SQL Server 2000

[TiG]

I don't have the choice of doing that as some applications are either A) not mine to touch or B) purchased products that have fixed implementations.

I tend to work on creating alternative views (i.e telephone services) onto existing structures, hence most of my work has to come via this mechanism.

Given carte blanche, that middleware layer still would require careful coding to ensure any failure in it, didn't take down all the services. Something much more tricky to do compared to say clustering a database.

I think we're just discussing different environments DaBeeeenster. Just highlighting the requirements for different implementations.

TiG

[Fatboy]

Right, thanks for all your input, I think I'm going to advise going for the SQL Server 2000 Standard and then buy the additional CAL's. From my calculations I reckon all-in it'll cost around £2302.88 plus any shipping etc. (Rough guestimate )

Thanks again!

[Fatboy]

It may be worth some spending some time looking at MySQL www.mysql.org

It is possible to link Access to a MySQL database using ODBC drivers. It may take some effort but it should be possible to migrate your database to MySQL and still use Access as a front-end and then you could spend the £6000 on more useful things like the office christmas party!

Hmmm, I'm loving the idea of £6000 for a Christmas party for 20 people! I don't think it'll materialise though!

[TheAnimus]

Fatboy, check SQL express, its comming out of beta in novemeber, and will cost a lot less, basically, if you only need ONE CPU, and <4GB indevidual database, it will be perfect and save you a lot of dosh. Its Microsofts cut down to deal with MySQL basically, and i love it.

Failing that, make sure you consider licensing via E-Open, because SQL 2005 is about to come out, and SQL 2000 is already very far into its depreachation cycle.

[Moby-Dick]

I dont know how much SQL express will be ( or is it free ? )

I guess it depends on how soon they want too move ? ( seeing as by the sounds of it , its a Line of Business application thats currently going pearshaped , I'd have though that Nov might be too long to wait )

[TheAnimus]

SQL express will remain free once its out of beta apparently.

I know its going to be free for developers to re-distrabute (its the direct replacement of MSDE in that respect).