Dashboard Software for Microsoft Access

Product Features and Capabilities

Eyeglass Manufacturer Uses StyleBI to Modernize MS Access Reporting

In an industry where precision, speed, and style must converge, manufacturers of eyeglasses are constantly looking to optimize operations, reduce waste, and respond quickly to changing customer demand. One such mid-sized eyeglass manufacturer, with a legacy database built in Microsoft Access, recently transformed its reporting environment using InetSoft's StyleBI—a lightweight, serverless analytics and dashboarding platform designed for agility, scalability, and visual impact. The result? A comprehensive suite of real-time dashboards and analytics that deliver strategic and operational insights across production, sales, inventory, and customer support.

Challenges with MS Access Reporting

The eyeglass manufacturer had long relied on a series of static reports and pivot tables generated manually from Microsoft Access. While the data structure was serviceable for internal needs, the business had outgrown its analytical capabilities. Reports were slow to generate, lacked visualization, and required manual intervention to filter dates or refresh data. Moreover, the inability to integrate external datasets—such as shipping metrics, sales CRM information, or supplier data—was limiting visibility into the full supply chain. IT had difficulty scaling the reporting layer without investing in a heavier BI solution that would require significant infrastructure changes.

Why StyleBI?

InetSoft’s StyleBI emerged as the ideal solution for this manufacturer’s unique mix of legacy systems and forward-looking analytics needs. StyleBI provided:

• Direct integration with Microsoft Access using ODBC or JDBC connectors.
• Serverless deployment and low IT overhead, ideal for a lean IT department.
• Rich dashboard creation without needing to migrate or transform source data.
• Support for interactive date filters, drilldowns, and role-based security.
• Ability to mash up Access data with flat files and APIs (e.g., shipping APIs).

Dashboard Design and Implementation

Working with the operations and finance teams, IT designed a set of dashboards around core business areas. Each dashboard combined data from multiple MS Access tables with calculated KPIs and real-time visualizations using StyleBI’s intuitive design interface. The following dashboards were created:

1. Production & Manufacturing Dashboard

This dashboard monitors lens fabrication, frame assembly, and packaging in real time. Key performance indicators include:

• Units Produced Per Day – Line chart by shift and production line.
• Machine Downtime (minutes) – Bullet chart per machine.
• Yield Rate (%) – Gauge chart comparing planned vs actual output.
• Defect Rate by Category – Heatmap showing types of defects and affected models.

Data was sourced directly from MS Access production logs and QA inspection records. Operators now use the dashboard on a large monitor in the factory to catch quality issues as they occur.

2. Sales Performance Dashboard

This dashboard gives the sales team instant feedback on order trends and customer preferences. Key charts include:

• Monthly Sales by Product Line – Stacked bar chart.
• Top 10 Customers (YTD) – Horizontal bar chart ranked by revenue.
• Sales Conversion Rate – KPI widget, calculated from quotes vs orders.
• Regional Sales Map – Interactive map with state-by-state performance.

By integrating a CSV file from the CRM with their MS Access data, the team gained end-to-end visibility from lead to order. Dynamic date windows allow sales managers to review performance by quarter, month, or even rolling 7-day periods.

3. Inventory & Supply Chain Dashboard

Inventory control was historically spreadsheet-based, which led to over-ordering and frequent stockouts. StyleBI helped unify Access inventory tables and vendor delivery logs into a cohesive dashboard:

• Stock Levels by SKU – Tree map sized by current inventory.
• Days on Hand (DOH) – Line chart with filters by warehouse location.
• Late Deliveries – Scatter chart comparing supplier performance.
• Backorders vs Fulfilled – Area chart with overlay metrics.

Now, supply chain managers receive automated alerts when key materials dip below thresholds or when supplier delays threaten fulfillment timelines.

4. Customer Support and Returns Dashboard

Managing customer returns and support tickets was previously handled by email and isolated notes. By consolidating support data into MS Access and connecting it to StyleBI, the manufacturer created a dashboard to track:

• Returns by Reason Code – Donut chart with drill-down to product type.
• Average Time to Resolution – KPI figure with historical trend line.
• Top 5 Support Issues – Bar chart categorized by complaint type.
• Customer Satisfaction Score – Gauge with thresholds and trend arrow.

This dashboard not only improved response times but also provided executives with insight into design or manufacturing issues that may be leading to higher returns.

Security and Access Controls

Using StyleBI’s built-in row-level security and role-based access, IT ensured that users only see the data relevant to their function. Sales staff can see only their region’s data; operations managers have access to shift-level metrics; executives can access aggregated KPIs across departments. This minimized the risk of data leakage while reducing the need for multiple versions of reports.

Technical Integration and Maintenance

StyleBI was connected to MS Access via a standard ODBC driver. Scheduled data refreshes occur hourly, and no custom ETL scripting was required. StyleBI’s lightweight deployment footprint meant that no new server hardware was necessary—everything runs through a browser, even for tablet-based users on the factory floor.

The IT team noted that dashboard design time dropped significantly thanks to the drag-and-drop interface, and updates to KPIs or filters can be deployed instantly without interrupting end users. As the manufacturer explores migrating from MS Access to cloud-based databases, StyleBI will support a smooth transition with minimal changes to dashboard logic.

Results and Benefits

Since implementing StyleBI, the manufacturer reports significant gains:

• 25% faster decision-making due to real-time KPI visibility.
• 40% reduction in manual reporting tasks for the IT team.
• Improved product quality through faster identification of defect trends.
• Higher sales team accountability and motivation from transparent metrics.
• Stronger vendor negotiations informed by delivery and inventory analytics.

Perhaps most importantly, StyleBI enabled the company to extract new value from existing MS Access infrastructure without requiring expensive BI tools or a complete data warehouse rebuild.

Looking Ahead

Encouraged by their success, the manufacturer now plans to expand their use of StyleBI to include predictive analytics, incorporating AI-assisted forecasting of sales and inventory levels. They are also experimenting with embedded dashboards in their internal portals, offering employees data insights exactly where they work.

For manufacturers with legacy databases like MS Access, InetSoft’s StyleBI proves that modern business intelligence doesn’t have to require a cloud-native overhaul. With flexible connectors, intuitive design tools, and powerful visualization features, StyleBI is an ideal bridge between the past and the future of analytics.