FROM LEGACY ACCESS TO A SCALABLE WEB APPLICATION

Modernizing a 20-year-old tool

without disrupting workflows

Modernizing a 20-year-old tool without disrupting workflows

Modernizing a 20-year-old tool

without disrupting workflows

We helped OfficeOptimizer reimagine their core product, OfficeAnalyzer, by migrating it from Microsoft Access to a secure, modern, web-based system using .NET 8 MVC and DevExpress. The result? Smoother operations, easier maintenance, and a foundation built for the next decade.

FROM LEGACY ACCESS TO

A SCALABLE WEB APPLICATION

SERVICES PROVIDED

From idea to

full product launch

From idea to

full product launch

From idea to

full product launch

We partnered with easyauto GmbH to design and deliver a tailored digital infrastructure that could grow with their operations.

SaaS custom software development

SaaS custom software development

Legacy system migration

Legacy system migration

.NET 8 architecture design

Integrated workflows for offers,

dealer communication, and contracts

DevExpress UI implementation

Continuous support and evolution of the platformas business needs shifted

Reporting module refactoring

Continuous support and evolution of the platformas business needs shifted

CI/CD setup via Azure DevOps

Continuous support and evolution of the platformas business needs shifted

THE OVERVIEW

Client

OfficeOptimizer is a German consultancy that helps clients monitor print usage, manage assets, and control distributed printing costs. Their tool, OfficeAnalyzer, had been relied upon for over two decades, but built entirely in Microsoft Access. As needs evolved, OfficeOptimizer sought a modern web-based system that could replicate their proven workflows while offering better security, scalability, and support for future growth.

Tech stack and tooling

.NET 8 MVC

Backend and frontend framework

Backend and frontend framework

DevExpress

Enterprise-grade UI and reporting toolkit

Enterprise-grade UI and reporting toolkit

Entity Framework Core

Data access and ORM

Data access and ORM

SQL Server

Secure relational database

Secure relational database

Azure DevOps

Version control, pipelines, CI/CD

Version control, pipelines, CI/CD

Figma

UI/UX design

UI/UX design

Project length

The full project spanned 18 months, starting with a deep-dive analysis of the existing Microsoft Access logic and culminating in a phased rollout of the modernized platform. During this time, the team migrated legacy data, refactored workflows, and delivered continuous feature updates, ensuring minimal disruption to business operations while enabling a smooth transition to the web-based system.

Industry

IT Services

IT Services

Print Management

Print Management

Asset Tracking

Asset Tracking

THE TEAM

A tight-knit, expert team with legacy system experience

A tight-knit, expert team with legacy system experience

A tight-knit, expert team with legacy system experience

Migrating a legacy system without disrupting operations required close collaboration. Our team combined experience in enterprise software, .NET development, and legacy systems to guide every step, from planning and development to testing and deployment.

ROLE

CONTRIBUTION

Solution Architect

Defined the system structure and migration strategy from Access

.NET Developer

Refactored backend business logic and migrated legacy data

Frontend Developer

Implemented responsive DevExpress UI and modernized legacy forms

QA & Testing Specialist

Ensured feature parity and accuracy during phased rollout

Product Manager

Acted as liaison with OfficeOptimizer and coordinated delivery milestones

THE CHALLENGE

Decades of complexity,

now needing a modern shape

Decades of complexity,

now needing a modern shape

Decades of complexity,

now needing a modern shape

1

Migrating 20 years of Access logic without downtime

The existing OfficeAnalyzer had hundreds of forms, macros, and workflows baked into Access. We had to preserve core functionality without interrupting client operations during transition.

2

Translating Access forms into modern UI

Translating Access forms into modern UI

VBA logic and legacy form controls had to be reimagined within a responsive, web-based interface using DevExpress—without losing the workflow familiarity for long-time users.

3

Ensuring accurate data migration

Needed to support dynamic workflows that stay legally compliant

With years of operational data, we needed to ensure every field, relationship, and record transferred cleanly from Access into SQL Server—with zero loss or corruption.

4

Replicating advanced reporting features

Access reports had custom filters, groupings, and summary views. We rebuilt them with DevExpress reporting tools while maintaining flexibility and output quality.

5

Managing phased rollout and dual-system support

Helping users without compliance teams—smart support through AI

The team had to run the new and old systems in parallel during migration, ensuring continuous service while training users on the new environment.

FROM ACCESS MACROS TO SCALABLE CODE

Rebuilding workflows for reliability,

not just modernization

Rebuilding workflows for reliability, not just modernization

Rebuilding workflows for reliability,

not just modernization

We didn’t just migrate functionality, we rethought how it should work in a modern SaaS environment.

Legacy system

audit & planning

Legacy system

audit & planning

Legacy system audit & planning

Reviewed every Access form, query, and macro to map out critical dependencies.

Side-by-side

system architecture

Side-by-side system architecture

Ensured clients could test and validate the new version without losing access to the old one.

.NET MVC + DevExpress

refactoring

.NET MVC + DevExpress refactoring

.NET MVC + DevExpress refactoring

Modernized UI and backend using scalable frameworks while replicating key workflows.

Full data migration

& integrity checks

Full data migration & integrity checks

Full data migration & integrity checks

Transferred all historical records to SQL Server with validation scripts and audit trails.

Custom DevExpress reporting

Recreated all reporting logic for accuracy, export options, and performance.

CI/CD with

Azure DevOps

CI/CD with Azure DevOps

CI/CD with Azure DevOps

Set up pipelines for ongoing feature deployment and regression testing.

THE SOLUTION

Modern UI, strong backend,

and zero disruption

Modern UI, strong backend,

and zero disruption

Modern UI, strong backend,

and zero disruption

The new OfficeAnalyzer was delivered as a fast,

flexible, and future-ready SaaS platform.

01

Web-based OfficeAnalyzer

built with .NET 8

Web-based OfficeAnalyzer built with .NET 8

Web-based OfficeAnalyzer built with .NET 8

A maintainable, scalable architecture that replaces Access completely.

02

Responsive UI
with DevExpress

Responsive UI with DevExpress

Responsive UI with DevExpress

Reimagined user experience that mirrors familiar workflows with a modern feel.

03

Historical data migrated

to SQL Server

Historical data migrated to SQL Server

Historical data migrated to SQL Server

Every client file, report, and tracking record transferred with full traceability.

04

Rebuilt reporting system

DevExpress reports matched legacy logic and offered new export and print options.

05

Parallel rollout plan

Minimized risk and ensured zero downtime by supporting dual-system usage.

06

Configurable for future use cases

The platform was built with modularity and future enhancements in mind.

THE IMPACT

Better performance.

Easier support.

Happier users.

Better performance.

Easier support.

Happier users.

Better performance.

Easier support.

Happier users.

100% legacy form parity

in modern UI

18-month transition with zero client downtime

18-month transition with

zero client downtime

18-month transition with

zero client downtime

100% legacy form parity

in modern UI

100% legacy form parity

in modern UI

20+ years of data

successfully migrated

20+ years of data

successfully migrated

Improved reporting speed

and accuracy

Improved reporting speed

and accuracy

Reduced maintenance effort

by 60%

Reduced maintenance effort

by 60%

Reduced maintenance effort

by 60%

Ready for feature expansion

and cloud deployment

Ready for feature expansion

and cloud deployment

Moving from a 20-year-old Access system to a modern web app was daunting, but Tent Softlab made it smooth. The new OfficeAnalyzer is faster, cleaner, and future-proof. It’s now easier for our clients to work with their data, and easier for us to support.

Moving from a 20-year-old Access system to a modern web app was daunting, but Tent Softlab made it smooth. The new OfficeAnalyzer is faster, cleaner, and future-proof. It’s now easier for our clients to work with their data, and easier for us to support.

Moving from a 20-year-old Access system to a modern web app was daunting, but Tent Softlab made it smooth. The new OfficeAnalyzer is faster, cleaner, and future-proof. It’s now easier for our clients to work with their data, and easier for us to support.

ARE YOU IN?

Let’s build what your

team really needs

Let’s build what your

team really needs

Let’s build what your

team really needs

We specialize in custom platforms for operations-heavy businesses.

We specialize in custom platforms for operations-heavy businesses.

Technology and product studio building future-ready software for growing companies. From architecture to delivery, we make digital systems work smarter.

Tent Softlab SL

Carrer de Marià Cuber, 17

46011 València

Spain

© Tent Softlab 2025. All Rights Reserved

Designed and developed by CoreBridge

Technology and product studio building future-ready software for growing companies. From architecture to delivery, we make digital systems work smarter.

Tent Softlab SL

Carrer de Marià Cuber, 17

46011 València

Spain

© Tent Softlab 2025. All Rights Reserved

Designed and developed by CoreBridge

Technology and product studio building future-ready software for growing companies. From architecture to delivery, we make digital systems work smarter.

Tent Softlab SL

Carrer de Marià Cuber, 17

46011 València

Spain

© Tent Softlab 2025. All Rights Reserved

Designed and developed by CoreBridge