New Features
Total Access Startup 2007 (Version 12.0) lets you centrally manage and guarantee that all your users always launch the right version of Microsoft Access with the right version of your Access database (MDB, ACCDB, or ADP).
Total Access Startup originally shipped in 2003 for Microsoft Access 2003. Total Access Startup 2007 includes many new features and enhancements:
Support for Microsoft Office Access 2007
Total Access Startup 2007 adds support for launching your Access 2007 databases including support for the new ACCDB database format.
Support for Access Data Projects (ADPs)
Total Access Startup 2007 supports ADPs, so you can simply set a custom property to keep all of your ADP users up-to-date with the latest version of your project. The previous version only supported MDB databases.
Support Multiple Access Versions
Total Access Startup 2007 lets you specify a preferred Access version AND older versions. For instance, you can specify Microsoft Access 2007 down to Access 2000. If the user has Access 2007 installed, it is launched. If not, it tries to find Access 2003, then Access 2002, then Access 2000. If it can't find that, your message for a missing Access version is displayed. This lets you support those with the latest version of Access immediately and those who haven't migrated. Of course, your database must support all the versions you specify.
Conversely, you can specify an Access version and any later versions.
User-Specific Path Variables
Refer to any user path variables to write the local database to a user’s folder (e.g. “My Documents", “Desktop", or “Profile"). The previous version used explicit paths which did not support a different directory for each user on that machine.
Option to Show a Message on Update
Optionally display a message when an updated version of the application is copied to a user’s computer.
Customisable Error Messages
Customize the text that is displayed to users for various errors.
New User Interface for the Total Access Startup Administrator
The Total Access Startup Administrator includes a more modern and usable User Interface, with support for Windows themes.
Additional Documentation
A new help file and 60-page professionally printed user manual are included.
How Total Access Startup Simplifies Access
Automatically Install New Builds of Your Application
If your users are running your application for the first time, Total Access Startup installs the database for them. If there are other files required, you can also launch a batch file or setup program.
Automatically Install Updates of Your Application
When you create a new version of our database, update the version in its version table and Total Access Startup automatically distributes it. Every time Total Access Startup is launched by a user, it compares the master copy to the user's local copy. If they are out of synch, the updated version is automatically downloaded for them. You can also launch a batch file or setup program if additional files (e.g. ActiveX controls) need to be installed. The update setup can be different from the initial installation setup.
Always Launch the Correct Version of Access
Total Access Startup always launches the correct version of Access with your database regardless of how many versions of Access are installed or what Windows considers the default for MDB or ADP files. Many environments require multiple versions of Access because the cost of converting old Access databases to the latest version of Access is unnecessary. With Total Access Startup, you can maintain your investment while easily supporting new Access versions. It knows how to find the correct version of Access even if it’s installed in a different directory on every machine.
Downgrade Access Versions as Necessary
Multiple Access versions support the Access 2000 database format. However, you may want your users to use the latest version of Access. Rather than settling for the lowest common version, Total Access Startup lets you specify the preferred version then downgrade as necessary. For instance, you can specify Microsoft Access 2007 down to Access 2000. When the user launches your database, they'll use Access 2007, if they don't have it, it'll search for Access 2003, then 2002, then 2000. Of course your application must be able to run in the versions you specify.
Gracefully Handle Users without the Right Version of Access Installed
If the user doesn't have the specified Access version installed on their machine, Total Access Startup displays a customized message showing the error along with your contact information. This gracefully handles the problem and prevents users from inadvertently running a later version of Access and converting the database.