Let me give you a list of reasons.... 1. The MS Access database is available with the MS Office suite of business products (pirated copies freely available) therefore no additional database software is required 2. MS Access database is likely to be available and supported for years to come because Microsoft is the premier software company in the world 3. MS Access is the most widely used desktop database system in the world 4. If database support is important to you then MS Access may be your best choice since it has more support and development consultants than any other desktop database system 5. It is significantly cheaper to implement and maintain compared to larger database systems such as Oracle, MySql (now owned by Sun) or SQL Server 6. Company consulting rates are typically lower for MS Access database consultants compared to Oracle or SQL Server consultants 7. Fairly complex databases can be setup and running in 1/2 the time and cost of other large database systems (the simpler the database the greater the cost advantage) 8. MS Access integrates well with the other members of the MS Office suite of products (Excel, Word, Outlook, etc.) 9. Other software manufacturers are more likely to provide interfaces to MS Access than any other desktop database system. 10. When designed correctly, MS Access databases can be ported (usually with zero difficulty) to SQL Server or Oracle. This is important if you want to start small or develop a pilot database system and then migrate to the larger database management systems 11. An Access database can be placed on a website for access for remote users. Simple screens can be developed within Access, Data Access Pages. Or full control and functionality can be implemented using Active Server Page (ASP) programming. Most of the problems that users have with MS Access and can be replicated with other DBMS are largely due poor relational design, too much duplicated data, no (appropriate) primary keys or attempt to overly control the database forms with custom controls for everything like: deleting records; moving to the next record; adding records (also for external apps coded in VB5/6). Most importantly the selected programming platform by coders determines what they are likely to use. 1. Oracle (has MS Access style forms and scripting) 2. ASP/VB5/6(MS Access/SQL Server) 3. NET(MS focuses on SQL Server coz its not free beggining the step of easing out MS Access which is free) 4. DELPHI (Supports multiple databases internally largely because of a wide component palette and third party vendors. Preffered database application tool for advanced database programmers..Sybase, Blackfish, Interbase, MS Access, SQL Server, My SQL, PostGres, Paradox, Oracle...etc 5. C/C++ (Not sure. Used for system level programming) 6. PHP (MySql, Postgres, SQL Lite) 7. you can add any that I have left out...