I help businesses move from legacy desktop applications—built with MS Access, Excel, Visual Basic, or similar tools—to modern web platforms. These systems often hold critical business data but are hard to maintain, lack integration, and run on outdated technology. I migrate the data, rebuild the logic, and deliver a secure, scalable web application that your team can use from anywhere.
Why Modernize?
Legacy applications built with MS Access, Excel macros, or Visual Basic were often created years ago when requirements were simpler. Today they suffer from: no multi-user access, broken references, data stored in files instead of databases, and no integration with other systems. Modernizing means moving to a proper database (PostgreSQL, MySQL), a web-based UI, and APIs for integration. Users get a responsive interface, data is centralized and backed up, and the system can grow with your business. I've migrated Access databases with hundreds of tables, Excel-based workflows, and VB6 applications to Django and FastAPI.
Migration Approach
I start by understanding your current system: data structure, business rules, and user workflows. I extract data from Access, Excel, or VB data sources, clean and normalize it, and load it into a PostgreSQL or MySQL database. The new application is built with Django or FastAPI, providing a web UI that replicates and improves on the original workflows. I preserve critical business logic while fixing inconsistencies and adding features like user roles, audit logs, and reporting. The migration is done in phases so you can validate data and workflows before fully switching over.
Common Legacy Sources
I've worked with: MS Access databases (tables, queries, forms, reports), Excel workbooks with VBA macros and linked data, Visual Basic 6 applications with Access or SQL Server backends, and file-based systems using CSV or proprietary formats. Each migration requires careful data mapping, handling of legacy quirks (e.g., Access autonumber vs proper sequences), and testing to ensure nothing is lost. I document the mapping from old to new and provide tools to verify data integrity.
Client Outcomes
Clients modernize when their legacy system becomes a bottleneck—new hires can't use it, IT can't support it, or integration with other tools is impossible. I've delivered web applications that replace Access databases used by 20+ users, Excel-based project trackers, and VB applications for inventory and order management. One client had an Access database with 15 years of data—we migrated to a Django app with a clean admin, role-based access, and automated backups. Another had Excel sheets for project tracking—we built a web app with a real database, dashboards, and reporting. The result is a system that's maintainable, secure, and ready for the future.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you migrate an MS Access database to the web?
Yes. I extract tables, relationships, and data from Access, map them to a relational database (PostgreSQL or MySQL), and build a web application that replicates the functionality. Forms become web pages, reports become dashboards or exportable reports.
What about Excel-based systems?
Excel workbooks with formulas, macros, or linked data can be migrated. I extract the logic, normalize the data into a database, and build a web UI. Complex formulas are reimplemented in the backend; VBA logic is translated to Python.
How long does a legacy migration take?
It depends on complexity. A simple Access database might take 2–4 weeks. A multi-workbook Excel system with macros can take 4–8 weeks. I provide a detailed assessment and phased plan after reviewing your current system.