I have been tasked with taking an Access 97 application and moving the back-end data to SQL Server while moving the front end to Access 2003 (using Access Data Projects). In the process of this migration the back-end data structures will be changed significantly to support new functionality.

If I had my wish we would not be using Access as the front end. I think our application would be much better served by WinForms, WPF, or a web application. We have the time needed to properly plan a business logic layer and implement an excellent solution but powers above me want to stay with Access because that is what they are familiar with.

What I could use help with is pros/cons of continuing down this path of Access development. What are some legitimate arguments for and against using Access 2003? Here is what I have come up with so far.

Pro Access:

1. Already own Access 2003 licenses
2. Easy GUI development
3. Reports look nice

Against Access

1. Having to use VBA (Visual Basic for Applications)
2. ADO vs DAO. Didn't Microsoft change things from Access 2002 to Access 2003?
3. Not tied to Access runtime
4. Choice in front end (WPF, WinForms, even ASP.NET)
5. Maintainability
6. True separation of logic from UI not possible
7. Does Microsoft still support Access ADP?

Perhaps there are other issues I am not aware off both for and against Access for application development. I am trying to keep an open mind while at the same time trying to maintain my sanity.

I have been using C# since .NET was released and the thought of going back to VBA for six months makes my head hurt. Especially when I feel I could offer so much more if allowed to develop with modern languages and tools?