InterSystems IRIS vs. Microsoft Access

Overview
ProductRatingMost Used ByProduct SummaryStarting Price
InterSystems IRIS
Score 8.1 out of 10
N/A
InterSystems IRIS is a complete cloud-first data platform that includes a multi-model transactional data management engine, an application development platform, and interoperability engine, and an open analytics platform. It is is the next generation of InterSystems' data management software. It includes…N/A
Microsoft Access
Score 7.4 out of 10
N/A
Microsoft Access is a database management system from Microsoft that combines the relational Microsoft Jet Database Engine with a graphical user interface and software-development tools.
$139.99
per PC
Pricing
InterSystems IRISMicrosoft Access
Editions & Modules
No answers on this topic
Microsoft Access
$139.99
per PC
Offerings
Pricing Offerings
InterSystems IRISMicrosoft Access
Free Trial
YesNo
Free/Freemium Version
YesNo
Premium Consulting/Integration Services
NoNo
Entry-level Setup FeeOptionalNo setup fee
Additional Details
More Pricing Information
Community Pulse
InterSystems IRISMicrosoft Access
Considered Both Products
InterSystems IRIS
Chose InterSystems IRIS
Better integration of Intersystems solution
Better performances
Better support ofr developers
Chose InterSystems IRIS
Tibco was not originally planned to be used for HL7 Integrations and as such we had to create some very complicated processes in order for the messages to parse and validate appropriately. It was simply not built for this type of interoperability. Comparatively, InterSystems …
Chose InterSystems IRIS
My organizations use InterSystems IRIS and i think is a good bet.
Chose InterSystems IRIS
The database, integration engine, and load balancer are all in one place. This is advantageous because 1) there are no hidden costs and it is also far easier to set up the network configuration. 2) The sales engineers are very willing to help in any situation and they are also …
Chose InterSystems IRIS
This have best database management and security provider future

Time saving for complex database management
Chose InterSystems IRIS
InterSystems IRIS includes a wide array and assortment of otherwise stand-alone solutions. Having a single platform to support database interoperability, storage, and analytics, let alone Security and SQL tools is a great advantage over solutions that tackle a single aspect of …
Chose InterSystems IRIS
The best software on the market, the capacity for analysis, storage and security in the handling and storage of data, provides you with the certainty of increasing efficiency in all organizational processes, ensuring that you will have your information available at all times, …
Chose InterSystems IRIS
We are using InterSystems IRIS [especially] for database operations as the query performance is really good for [a large] amount of customer data. You can easily integrate for any application like web, desktop, and many more. It also provides BI functionality which is also very …
Chose InterSystems IRIS
Because [it's] a very powerful and efficient tool that has the ability to manage your data in a quick and reliable manner. It's easy to use especially if you work in the area of managing a large number of databases or simply need an extra hand. Inter Systems IRIS can provide …
Chose InterSystems IRIS
The process of migration and scaling due to heavy lifting is also easier, the speed of performance of IRIS is good and fast were able to get a high increase in query performance after our switch and [immense] amount of features integrated with the solution, from the web …
Chose InterSystems IRIS
InterSystems IRIS is more efficient than other applications therefore, it is preferred over the others. Moreover, it is more cost-effective than other applications like Microsoft SQL Server, therefore, many organizations such as small businesses can afford it. Lastly, …
Chose InterSystems IRIS
You definitely need to use it for a fast, solution-oriented experience.
Chose InterSystems IRIS
InterSystems IRIS has the flexibility and power to be more than just a databse engine. We are able to create our business processes and interface with out javascript front end. SQL Server has been useful through the Entity framework connecting both together has been the …
Chose InterSystems IRIS
New docker system is really good, performance improves at the cost of some breaking changes.
Chose InterSystems IRIS
I have always studied other databases, I cannot say if it is a problem for Brazilian colleges, however, after meeting IRIS / Caché, my concept of databases has changed. A much more robust and faster bank.
Now that I have had the opportunity to work with this database, there is …
Chose InterSystems IRIS
The only comparison I can make is that they are all database tools. I strongly believe that just the fact that IRIS is not so widespread and easy to find in research forums is the reason why it is not so "famous". The tool meets and meets all needs for any situation.
Chose InterSystems IRIS
InterSystems IRIS is the union of the best parts of Caché and Ensemble, with a lot of new implementations and some enhancements. IRIS have the same multidimensional database estruture as like Caché and works as an Integration tool like Ensemble.
Chose InterSystems IRIS
We did not consider alternatives; implemented InterSystems IRIS based on a corporate reference.
Chose InterSystems IRIS
Did not consider alternatives; we opted for the free trial and then decided to move ahead with a long-term plan with InterSystems IRIS.
Chose InterSystems IRIS
Did not try other alternatives
Chose InterSystems IRIS
They shared a set of limits:
- speed
- exhaustive memory consumption
Microsoft Access
Chose Microsoft Access
Microsoft Access is used independently of Microsoft's Office suite (also in use) at our company - the usual applications: Word, Excel, Outlook, etc. and does not really overlap. Microsoft Access was selected as a simple, functional inventory database based on ease of data …
Chose Microsoft Access
Microsoft excel is great but for much smaller data organization. Microsoft Access is more functional for larger more robust projects.
Chose Microsoft Access
Microsoft Access is great integration with Microsoft Word templates such as reports and name tags.
Chose Microsoft Access
Microsoft Access is a superb software in database management system. I have been using it for many years without any hesitations. The software is making it different from other software with its awesome features. The software is cost effective for the organisation. It also …
Chose Microsoft Access
Excel is a fantastic - robust application that can do so much so easily. Its easy to train and understand. However - excel does not provide a reporting function and that is typically where we will suggest a move to [Microsoft] Access. [Microsoft] Access requires a little more …
Chose Microsoft Access

With [Microsoft] Access I am able to quickly create simple database driven solutions with built in UI and reporting in one tool. Advanced coding is not necessary and the tool guides you through building out. Opponents for a robust, end-to/end product.

Chose Microsoft Access
Having used Snowflake, I can definitely say that both of these tools are very easy to use and value for money. Although for me, the aspects where Microsoft Access stacks up are its low cost and usability. Snowflake is good with its cloud-based system but for startups where the …
Chose Microsoft Access
I haven't really used another database product other than Microsoft Access since the mid-90s. I don't even remember which program I did use, but needless to say, it did not have as much functionality nor was it as user friendly as databases today. So I really can't say how …
Chose Microsoft Access
Crystal is easier for report writing, but isn't a database solution. Salesforce is lovely, but much more expensive than an old copy of Microsoft Office. For a small budget, [Microsoft] Access was really the only viable option. I only wish it was easier to write complex reports.
Chose Microsoft Access
[Selected Microsoft Access for] employee learning simplicity, attractive graphical environment and features of Microsoft 365 with responsive Microsoft support.
Chose Microsoft Access
Visual FoxPro is a discontinued software, and no longer has support. Also, very few people still use it, or ever know how to use it. Excel is very popular, but [Microsoft] Access can do things like data joins much easier and faster
Chose Microsoft Access
Although SQL is a full-blown platform for heavy database management, Microsoft Access serves the purpose perfectly for small and mid-scale enterprises. It is also perfect for people just getting started with database management. The graphical user interface is a major plus …
Chose Microsoft Access
Microsoft Access is better for large files and backlogs than Excel because it can handle the workload. Excel is great as well, but filtering and searching is limited, and it can crash rather easily. You don't see those problems with Access.
Chose Microsoft Access
We've actually started to use both of these programs. There are pros and cons to both.
Microsoft Access is best for linking two sets of data that already have a common shared field (i.e. both sets of data include a student ID number, social security number, etc)
Airtable is best …
Chose Microsoft Access
  • Microsoft Access is great for local low code, relational database applications where users are creating, reading, updating, and deleting data (CRUD)..
  • Useful mostly for locally stored database and not network or cloud-based applications
  • Easy-to-user interface makes it hard to …
Chose Microsoft Access
SharePoint is good for simple data structures, use of workflow, integration with AD, etc. But SharePoint does not support fully relational data or complex reporting, whereas Access absolutely does.
Chose Microsoft Access
Being a similar "Windows application" it's easier to start to use as part of Office. Also, the GUI capabilities are much more advanced than other high-performance databases.
Chose Microsoft Access
Unlike enterprise-level databases, MS Access doesn't require setting up a complex server environment with user security schemes. It's an excellent tool for small scale databases where purchasing and setting up a product like MS SQL Server could be an overkill. Unlike …
Chose Microsoft Access
Tableau is not even a 'switch-out' tool, it's for visualization so it's not a fair comparison. Against other databasing tools, MySQL is still my favorite may be simply due to being a creature of comfort because that's where I first learned to manage DB. However, Microsoft …
Chose Microsoft Access
MS SQL is a more powerful tool but I love the reporting feature in MS Access. MS Excel is useful for complex calculations but to me, MS Access helps me organize that data. InfoPath is similar to MS Access in that you can create forms for data entry, but it does not include …
Features
InterSystems IRISMicrosoft Access
Relational Databases
Comparison of Relational Databases features of Product A and Product B
InterSystems IRIS
-
Ratings
Microsoft Access
7.7
Ratings
5% below category average
ACID compliance00 Ratings7.00 Ratings
Database monitoring00 Ratings8.00 Ratings
Database locking00 Ratings8.00 Ratings
Encryption00 Ratings7.00 Ratings
Disaster recovery00 Ratings7.70 Ratings
Flexible deployment00 Ratings8.00 Ratings
Multiple datatypes00 Ratings8.00 Ratings
Best Alternatives
InterSystems IRISMicrosoft Access
Small Businesses
Google Cloud SQL
Google Cloud SQL
Score 8.7 out of 10
InterSystems IRIS
InterSystems IRIS
Score 8.1 out of 10
Medium-sized Companies
Google Cloud SQL
Google Cloud SQL
Score 8.7 out of 10
InterSystems IRIS
InterSystems IRIS
Score 8.1 out of 10
Enterprises
SAP IQ
SAP IQ
Score 6.0 out of 10
SAP IQ
SAP IQ
Score 6.0 out of 10
All AlternativesView all alternativesView all alternatives
User Ratings
InterSystems IRISMicrosoft Access
Likelihood to Recommend
7.4
(0 ratings)
7.3
(0 ratings)
Likelihood to Renew
8.2
(0 ratings)
10.0
(0 ratings)
Usability
8.2
(0 ratings)
7.6
(0 ratings)
Availability
-
(0 ratings)
8.0
(0 ratings)
Support Rating
7.4
(0 ratings)
6.4
(0 ratings)
Implementation Rating
8.2
(0 ratings)
10.0
(0 ratings)
Ease of integration
-
(0 ratings)
8.0
(0 ratings)
Product Scalability
-
(0 ratings)
5.0
(0 ratings)
User Testimonials
InterSystems IRISMicrosoft Access
Likelihood to Recommend
It is best suited in the scenario where a single interface is required for providing [a complete end-to-end] solution to the customers. You don't need [a] separate platform to write code or [perform] database operations. All you need is InterSystems IRIS software and you are done. You can also use analytics functionality which is one of the greatest [features] which many customers need for their solution[.]
Read full review
Microsoft Access can be easily implemented with training. It doesn't require expert level skill for basic reporting functions - but can be scaled to a complex database with sophisticated users. Its appropriate to consider if excel needs to be used to create reports, or if there are data entry needs - with corresponding reports.
Read full review
Pros
  • Connecting with mutliple vendor platforms and systems allowing us to consume and provide data as needed.
  • Allowed us to implement our own RESTful api engine to server data to our internal applications.
  • Setting up their recommendations for high availability allow us to perform server maintenance with minimal down time to our users.
Read full review
  • Generates information about department events, services, orders, etc. quickly and in report form.
  • Easy to design forms and reports with drag and drop components. You don't need to know coding.
  • The ability to link tables and queries to get all the info needed for forms and reports
  • Forms and reports are easy to customize and edit.
  • Easily report your data grouped and sorted by any field
Read full review
Cons
  • Enhanced documentation, more comprehensive and user-friendly documentation, including detailed tutorials and examples
  • Improving compatibility and integrations with others programming languages
  • Introducing tools and techniques to optimize the performance of ObjectScript applications, such as profiling tools, performance monitoring utilities, and code optimization guidelines
  • A better compatibility with Python libraries
Read full review
  • Generally high learning curve for new users. Especially if they are not comfortable with technology.
  • Desktop only program; not available in web-format like other O365 products
  • Fewer experienced users, means it's a lot of self-teaching and troubleshooting when you run into an issue
Read full review
Likelihood to Renew
No answers on this topic
I and the rest of my team will renew our Microsoft Access in the future because we use and maintain many different applications and databases created using Microsoft Access so we will need to maintain them in the future. Additionally, it is a standard at our place of work so it is at $0 cost to us to use. Another reason for renewing Microsoft Access is that we just don' t have the resources needed to extend into a network of users so we need to remain a single-desktop application at this time.
Read full review
Usability
The interface is very intuitive, the documentation is very good so it is not complicated to operate.
The security is complex, but you can create a special role to access and the user ONLY can operate with the part that it allows.
Also, you can examine the data very quick with the SQL Browser integrated.
Read full review
Microsoft Access is easy to use. It is compatible with spreadsheets. It is a very good data management tool. There is scope to save a large amount of data in one place. For using this database, one does not need much training, can be shared among multiple users. This database has to sort and filtering features which seem to be very useful.
Read full review
Reliability and Availability
No answers on this topic
I don't think the program has ever failed me. It is one of those programs where there is always a solution if you know where to look.
Read full review
Support Rating
The InterSystems WRC has always been helpful and responsive. The folks I have spoken with are always understanding of our needs and questions and regardless of if the question is simple or complex we are always met with the same professionalism and helpfulness every time. I have no hesitations contacting InterSystems for help!
Read full review
While I have never contacted Microsoft directly for product support, for some reason there's a real prejudice against MS Access among most IT support professionals. They are usually discouraging when it comes to using MS Access. Most of this is due to their lack of understanding of MS Access and how it can improve one's productivity. If Microsoft invested more resources towards enhancing and promoting the use of MS Access then maybe things would be different.
Read full review
Implementation Rating
Will done based on a proper planning, so this will makes execution more easier and better.
Read full review
there is no key idea, since it is easy to implement Microsoft Access
Read full review
Alternatives Considered
Tibco was not originally planned to be used for HL7 Integrations and as such we had to create some very complicated processes in order for the messages to parse and validate appropriately. It was simply not built for this type of interoperability. Comparatively, InterSystems IRIS for Health (HealthConnect) has out of the box HL7 features that would parse messages, offer a variety of validation options, simplified data lookups and transformation and reduced the amount of time it took to develop connections with out vendor systems. InterSystems IRIS also allows one to push just single files into production at a time so there is less of a chance of us pushing something that should not be in production yet as our previous system was set up to with TIBCO deployments
Read full review
Microsoft Access is used independently of Microsoft's Office suite (also in use) at our company - the usual applications: Word, Excel, Outlook, etc. and does not really overlap. Microsoft Access was selected as a simple, functional inventory database based on ease of data entry, search functionality and avoiding the need for a separate ERP module.
Read full review
Return on Investment
  • Very Fast and scalable software to deal with big data flow, safe and robust.
  • The studio IDE is quite old fashion and lacks a few facilities
  • amazing for complex data consumption, its milyi-model capability wich allows multiple different models for a single set of codes.
Read full review
  • Microsoft Access is very low in cost as compared to its competitors and provides value for money spent.
  • Comes with Office Suite for your whole organization. Easy to install and use.
  • Many people had to shift to Windows in order to use those as there is no Mac version.
Read full review
ScreenShots