Yes, Microsoft Access Databases are definitely still popular and relevant for Small Businesses that manage their data and business processes in a centralized database. MS Access also forms part of the industry-wide MS Office suite that includes Word and Excel, the leaders in word processing and spreadsheets.
Many free and powerful open-source database systems are available, but these typically do not come with a user interface or front-end. Instead, it’s then up to the business management to find a team of developers to develop, deploy, host and maintain such a complex system. Microsoft Access covers all these shortcomings with its modern relational database system.
MS Access Databases can be designed and created in a single ACCDB file by anyone familiar with Office applications. The learning process for basic tasks is short and uncomplex, with well-documented online help available. Microsoft Access also comes with many templates that will help you get started.
MS Access has the trusted Visual Basic for Applications built-in to the program, which allows for advanced customization and integration. Lastly, when the database size gets into hundreds of megabytes, the migration to store the data only in an SQL type database is fully supported, and you can continue using your MS Access program with all your business rules, forms and reports.
