Today we are announcing the Public Preview for the new Microsoft Access connector for the Power Platform.

For over twenty years, Microsoft Access has been one of the leading relational databases used by modern enterprises, a critical part of Office and Microsoft 365. It is a pioneer for low code, no code database solution development. However, with the emergence of the cloud, Access customers are requesting more hybrid solutions that retain the value and ease of use of Access while adding the value and flexibility of cloud-based storage and development platforms.

Access customers have been requesting:

• Front end app scenarios on mobile devices or with Microsoft Teams
• The ability to have real-time sharing and editing of Access data using cloud-based data stores, with front-end apps created in Access, Power Apps Mobile and Microsoft Teams
• New security and compliance capabilities through Dataverse cloud storage using Azure Active Directory and role-based security while managing it from Access

Today we begin delivering on those needs and expand and enrich Access’ capabilities for the cloud Access. Power Platform is an industry leading low-code no-code cloud-based development platform and serves as an ideal companion for Access customers. By integrating with the Power Platform, Access data can be strengthened with Azure and Azure Active Directory (AAD) security, Dataverse role-based security, as well as be stored in a single cloud location for use with the Power Platform and the Microsoft Access desktop client.

Figure 1.  The Microsoft Power Platform low-code development platform

The new connector to Dataverse and the Power Platform (figure 1) enables new scenarios and unlocks further benefits for developers who can now create custom apps, automations, and chatbots built with Power Platform that work directly with their Access data and Dataverse and Dataverse for Teams, the Microsoft Teams based Power Platform offering that provides the functionality of the Power Platform from within a team.

Making your Access solutions mobile with the Power Platform

One of the most requested capabilities from Access users is the ability to bring Access data and data entry onto a mobile device. With the new Access connector for Power Platform, Access data can now be brought onto any mobile device; your organization’s data is easily migrated to Dataverse where it can then be used to create a mobile Power App.

With the flexibility of the Power Platform and integration across multiple services, you can add features to the Power App to further customize how your Access data is consumed (figure 2) and viewed.  This is one of the many ways the Access connector can help your organization bring its Access data into more applications and devices for consumption, viewing and real-time data entry.  Now large organizations who depend on Access can create hybrid solutions that embrace the cloud and enable form factors beyond the PC to better support their business goals.

Figure 2.  An example of how the Access connector for Power Platform enables Access data to surface in a mobile app

Connecting Access to Microsoft Teams

Another exciting capability the Access connector enables is allowing your employees to view and edit Access data in Microsoft Teams. Microsoft Teams has rapidly grown into the collaboration tool of choice for the modern enterprise.  Teams has nearly a quarter billion monthly active users, and now these users can view Access data right inside the Teams UI as they work with colleagues and execute on daily tasks.  With the Access connector, Access data is migrated into Dataverse for Teams and can then be viewed by Teams users.  Now organizations can modernize their solutions and easily migrate across different scenarios. Some users who prefer Teams can replicate their Access forms as apps in Teams, while other users can continue to use the Access forms they know and love on their PCs. (figure 3).

Figure 3.  Migrating Access data to Dataverse for Teams for usage inside Teams and creating a Power App inside Teams

Take the next step with the New Access Connector for Power Platform and Dataverse

Together Access combined with Dataverse and the Power Platform are helping to give customers new capabilities and flexibility.

If you are interested to learn more, and see some of these examples demoed, Be sure to register at Ignite and check out our On-Demand session at Microsoft Ignite, Nov 2-4.

To take the next step and evaluate this powerful combination yourself, visit our step-by-step guide for how you can join download the Access public beta at https://aka.ms/AccessAndPowerPlatform and start your integration.