Smart Client Applications (aka Web Client Applications)

With a SQL Server back-end and Microsoft .Net front-end User Interface, the Microsoft Smart Client system enjoys the same high level of application security, reliability, data integrity and scale advantages of the Client-Server method, is fully Internet-enabled like a Browser-based application, and supports the full rich User Interface of MS Windows applications.
PCA frequently recommends Web Clients to our customers, primarily because this approach offers the best advantages available to both I/T and End Users, and Smart Client applications are frequently less expensive to develop than MS Access-based applications (and are much less costly than Browser-based applications).  Learn more about Microsoft Smart Client applications
Smart Web Client Application Scorecard
# End Users Any Anywhere an Internet connection is available
Deployment LAN and Internet Anywhere an Internet connection is available
Performance Excellent Desktop-like performance and usability
Reliability Excellent SQL Server design-dependent
Data Integrity Excellent Assumes proper use of SQL Server database constraints and keys
Security Excellent SQL Server design-dependent
Data Limit Unlimited SQL Server datastore
Maintenance Low Standard SQL Server maintenance
# of Records Unlimited SQL Server datastore
Internet Access Yes Anywhere an Internet connection is available

Web Client Applications: a Merger of the Desktop and Internet

Smart Client applications (aka "Web Internet Applications") look and perform just like Microsoft Office/Desktop applications — but they are deployed, automatically maintained, and enable real-time SQL Server Database sharing directly over a secure Internet. A true merger of the desktop and the Internet, Web Client applications are viewed by many to represent the next major wave in computing platforms.