My name is Colin Riddington and I am the owner of Mendip Data Systems based in the United Kingdom.
I am also active on many online forums - usually with the user name isladogs.

I have been awarded the Microsoft Most Valuable Professional (MVP) status for five successive years from 2022 onwards.
The MVP award is in recognition of my outstanding contributions to the community in Microsoft 365 Apps & Services.





Since 2005, Mendip Data Systems have been based in Somerset, UK.
Previously we were on the edge of the Mendip Hills (hence the name), but we moved to a remote area of the Exmoor National Park in 2019.

For many years, we specialised in creating management software for schools though we now focus on apps for businesses/developers.

The advantage of being a small development operation is that clients don't have to pay for large company overheads when they purchase our products - and users can talk directly to the key people in the company when they contact us.

However, sometimes we may not be available, and you may need to leave us a message - or better still, send us an email because we respond to emails quickly and at any time.

The site includes several commercial applications as well as a wide range of free example applications, code samples and extended articles.

We also accept customised work for individual clients including both the creation of new systems and upgrading existing applications.
In addition, we can convert old databases to current versions and advise on issues related to database security.

We currently have 14 applications available for purchase from the website:


Apps for Business / Developer / Personal Use
The focus here is mainly on apps for developers and various applications based on imported online data obtained in JSON format.

    Database Analyzer & Viewer Pro (for Access developers)
    JSON Analyse & Transform for Access (for Access developers)
    UK Postal Address Finder (Professional/Standard/Tablet editions)
    UK Postcode Address Lookup (source code edition)
    Currency Exchange Rate Tracker (source code edition)
    Translate & Speak (source code edition)


Applications for Schools
All our school applications were originally developed to for use in UK secondary schools. However, many are equally suitable for use in primary schools and abroad.
We regularly update our programs to meet the changing needs of schools.

Most of these applications for schools are open source databases using Microsoft Access and SQL Server.
In most cases we supply full program code so that schools can customise the program features to suit individual needs.

    School Data Analyser
    School Payments System
    SDA Link
    Curriculum Enrichment Organiser
    Exam Timer
    Student ICT Database (source code edition)


Free Applications
A large number of FREE example databases & code samples can also be downloaded from the website.
These include many items originally uploaded to sites such as Access World Forums with the user name: isladogs

Currently there are over 100 example applications including:
      Currency Exchange Rate Tracker / Manage Application Interface / Attention Seeking Database / Countdown Timer / Cascading Combo Boxes /
      Multiple Group & Filter / JET ShowPlan Manager / Emulated Split Form / CDO Email Tester / Synchronise Subform Scrolling . . . and many more

There are over 90 code samples including:
      Rank Order in Queries / Database Statistics / VBA Reference List & Locations / Fix MSysObjects Errors / System Info / View Database Objects /
      Upend Query / System Metrics / Linked ‘No Tables’ / Easter calculator / Hide Access Splash Screen . . . and many more

In addition, there are almost 100 extended articles and a similar number of shorter blog articles on various topics related to the use of Access databases including:
      Speed Comparison Tests / Access Security / System Tables / Synchronise Data / Relationships / Automatic Form Resizing / Synchronise Data /
      Multivalued Fields / Column History in Memo Fields / Annotating Google Maps / Recover Deleted Database Objects . . . and many more

In conjunction with various articles on Access security, several security challenges are available for experienced developers to test their skills & knowledge

In addition to all of the above, other items on the website include:
    Access Europe User Group - information about our monthly online meetings
    YouTube videos
    Access Bugs & Fixes - updated monthly
    Access News & Events

At the time of writing, the site contains well over 600 pages with new items added each week. A full list of the site contents can be found on the Site Map page

Please email us if you would you like to discuss specialised development work for your organisation, become involved with the future development of our products, offer thoughts or tell us about your own work.


Colin Riddington           Mendip Data Systems                 Last Updated 16 July 2026

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