Access Developer Extensions 2007 To Be Free

In a reversal of former policy, Microsoft made an announcement that the Access Developer Extensions for Access 2007 (which include the unlimited Access Runtime redistribution license) are going to be free. Since these have been included with many previous versions of Visual Studio Tools for Office at a price of about $800 ($550 for upgrade version), this news is rather shocking -- but certainly welcome!

Having the unlimited Access Runtime redistribution license is important for Access developers because it means that they don't have to require that their clients buy a copy of Access for each PC to run their database applications. Instead, the developer can install a copy of the Access Runtime version for free (provided he has the license for it) on as many PC's as he needs to run his database application, so the client only pays for the database application.

Keep in mind that the Access Runtime version isn't the same as what you'd buy retail. While it acts the same for data entry and displaying forms, queries, and so on, it lacks the design capabilities for creating tables, queries, forms, and other objects. It also lacks the built-in menus and graphics filters, so the Access developer must provide these in his application if they're needed. But you can't beat the price if the customer has no need to alter the Access developer's original application.

Bravo, Microsoft!