A straightforward back-end migration for a small to mid-size database often takes a few weeks, including testing. Larger databases, complex queries, heavy VBA that depends on Access-specific behavior, or significant data cleanup take longer.

The main steps are:

1. Review the data model and identify issues, such as missing primary keys or incompatible data types.
2. Clean and standardize data.
3. Create the SQL Server or Azure SQL database, security, and backups.
4. Migrate and validate data, comparing counts and totals with the original.
5. Relink the Access front end and update code where needed.
6. Tune performance with indexes, views, and stored procedures.
7. Test with your team, then schedule the final cutover.

Test migrations are run several times before the final one, so the cutover itself is quick and predictable, often an evening or weekend with minimal disruption.

We give you a firm timeline after reviewing your database, and we schedule the final cutover to minimize disruption. Learn more about Access to SQL Server migration.