What are the main differences between replicating a database and Creating multiple copies of a Front-End feeding from a Single Back-End Database? What would be best practice?

Thanks!

Hello Alastair,

Hope you enjoyed your Microsoft Acces course with BEST STL Training.
Thank you for your question regarding Replication vs Back End .

In replication you make full copies of the database, which you can synchronise with each other. There will be one Design Master, in which you can make design changes.
When doing this you can use the copies remotely and then return to sychronise at any stage. The databases are independant of each other. This option is useful when you want to use a database on a travelling laptop, and then bring it back to the main database to integrate data.

In splitting a database you have a single back-end database which contains all the data. The front end databases then pull this data to linked tables, which can then be used in queries, forms and reports. You must have access to the back end database for the front ent to work, so you cannot use them remotely. The benefit of this method is that it improves speed and flexibility for large numebrs of users. You can also customise each fromt end to suit the "department" that may be using it. For example, an HR department would have different forms and reports to say the Fnance department.

In essensce splitting and replicating databases are two very different functions, with different applications.

I hope this resolves your question. If it has, please mark this question as resolved.

If you require further assistance, please reply to this post.
Or perhaps you have another Microsoft Office question?

Have a great day.
Regards,

Richard
Microsoft Office Specialist Trainer