Shared MS Access Database Backend

[ThePatch]

Server running Windows Server 2008
HyperV running Windows Server 2003
(6) Networked desktops running Windows 7 Pro
(2) Networked desktops running Windows XP Pro
MS Office 2000 Pro or all desktops and vterminal.
Access shared back-end data on server 2008.
Front ends on desktops & vterminals.
I want to upgrade to Office 2013 and from what i read i know that means upgrading XP & Server 2003 OS's first. my question is, I can't upgrade office all at the same time. Will I be able to operate temporarily using office 2000 on some desktops and office 2013 on others till all upgrades are complete. I have tried putting my database (Both Front & Backend) on a laptop running office 2013 to make sure it would run ok and besides a few one time security prompts it runs fine. But i was afraid to try and network the laptop and try connecting to my actual work backend. Has anyone tried this or can answer if it will work.

[Seth Schrock]

You should be able to upgrade the front ends to 2013 while leaving the backend on Access 2000. In fact, the server running the backend doesn't have to have Access on it at all. All of my databases have their backend on our file share server and it doesn't have Access installed. The server is running on VMWare. I have seen where opening an older version in a new version can mess with the looks of the forms and reports, but nothing major.

What I would do is create a copy of your current front end and then open it in Access 2013, make any changes that you need to do and then as you upgrade each desktop, give them the new front end.

[ThePatch]

Hi Seth,
Thanks for your reply. My Server does not have Office installed on it either. Just my backend resides there on a drive share. My only concern was accessing the backend using different versions of office on the desktop pc's that access the server till i get them all up and running the newer Office 2013. Due to licensing costs I plan on doing 5 to start as I also have to replace a couple desktops running XP and update the virtual OS from server 2003 as Office 2013 from what I read won't run on these.

[Seth Schrock]

The only problem that I have heard of when running multiple versions is when the different versions are on the same PC. As long as you only have one version on each PC (virtual or physical, doesn't matter), then there shouldn't be any problems.

[ThePatch]

Thanks so much for you reply. I'm moving forward.