.NET Compact Framework - database

Question

OK, so at the mo we have an MS Access database sat on our server.

It's pretty basic stuff, we have two tables ~7000 records, and the rest of the tables are <20 records. Max of 6 users accessing it. Some links here and there, and there's a desktop front end done in C# by myself that handles all the SQL to and from said database.

I'm developing a data collection app for a mobile device using the compact framework and am wondering about my options - getting .NET CF to talk to Access sounds like it's impossible (from what Google tells me, CF won't play ball with JET), and upgrading the DB to SQL Server seems thoroughly excessive for what we're doing (compared to Access it looks like a bit of a minefield...)

So what are my options? I'm pretty sure we could simplify this right down to some really simple stuff...to the point of wondering if I can just go with some CSV files...but I'm guessing that throws the multiuser capability out of the window (or is there a way of doing it?).

Incidentally, there is zero budget.

Any ideas?

Thanks in advance

Answer 1

SQL Express is free and should suffice for what your trying to do.

There is a KB article to upsize, convert, and move data.

A little more work initally, but Access is pretty awful anyways :) so it would be worth the time.