We’ve worked on Microsoft Access since 1999 — over 25 years of supporting, fixing, building and modernising the databases businesses actually run on.
Most of the systems we look after weren’t built by us. They were built by a supplier who’s moved on, or by someone in the business who left, and they’ve quietly become critical. We pick those up, keep them running, and improve them when you’re ready.
We’re based in Sheffield and work with organisations across the UK. Almost all of it is done remotely.
What’s the problem?
Microsoft Access support
What do you need help with?
Choose the closest description and we'll point you towards the right kind of help.
Services
Access Support & Development
Direct phone support, fixes, changes and ongoing development.
Find out more...Access Migration & Upgrades
Version upgrades, upsizing to SQL Server, moving to Azure.
Find out more...Emergency Access Support
Database down and the business stopped? Ring, don't email.
Find out more...Access Integration & APIs
Sage, Microsoft 365, barcode, websites and other systems.
Find out more...Why people call us
[IMG-2] — The credibility image. Person at a desk, or the Aizlewood’s Mill office. This block is answering “are these people real”, and a face does that faster than a paragraph.
Alt: CDE Systems, Microsoft Access specialists, Sheffield
Over 25 years on Access specifically. Not a general IT company that also does databases. Access, SQL Server and the business systems built on them, since 1999.
We take on systems we didn’t build. Original developer gone, no documentation, nobody left who knows how it works. That’s most of what we do.
You speak to the person doing the work. No ticket queue, no first-line script, and the same people next time you ring.
Public and private sector. Business, local government and central government since 1999.
We’ll tell you when to do nothing. If the database is fine, or the fix is cheaper than the project someone’s quoted you for, we’ll say so.
how we work – about CDE Systems
Deciding about Access
Not sure whether Access is the right place for your data?
Why use Microsoft Access? — where it’s a sensible choice, and where it isn’t.
Why not use Excel as your database? — the spreadsheet that grew into a system, and what to do about it.
Case studies
Aire Valley Catering: four mobile apps, an Access business system, and engineers with no signal
Engineers working on customer sites across the UK can't count on having a signal, and the job still has to be recorded. Four production apps across both app stores, an Access and SQL Server business system behind them, and a roadmap that keeps offline working rather than trading it away.
View case study →Dearson Winyard International: case management, reporting and a client portal
An immigration and right-to-work consultancy runs on documentation, deadlines and client visibility. Ongoing development and support keeps the case management system, management dashboards and client portal working, with staff onboarded in a day and issues resolved before they hold up a case.
View case study →Bolt & Nut Manufacturing: certificates, stock and live job tracking in one system
A growing UK fastener manufacturer was losing hours to chasing material certificates, checking stock by hand and waiting on reports. We extended their existing platform with stricter certificate controls, barcode tracking on the shop floor and a suite of Crystal Reports.
View case study →
Tell us about your Access database
What it does, roughly how many people use it, and what's wrong with it. We'll tell you what we'd do and what it costs — including when the answer is to leave it alone.
Send us the details → Call 0114 249 1036 →