I am building a POS system. I have done it in the past, not a big deal. But I'm wondering if there are any other databases I should use for storing data, or what you would recommend.

Access is nice for small stores running about 3-4 registers at the same time.

MS SQL is, I think the best choice however most businesses arnt going to be able to afford it, so they are subject to renting a database from an online SQL Server provider, such as JodoHost.com, or almost any other web host that provides MS SQL server databases will give you a database without a website for a cost. This poses another problem because the database is offsite and could be on the other side of the world. I don't want my program entirely based off of a database on the other side of the world because there can be some serious performance and security issues. Not to mention if their admins cant keep the server running it makes my program look bad.

I'm just not sure about XML yet, I don't know that I really trust it, and I don't know about resulting to a "file-based database". At that point I might as well use Access.

I am wondering what other ways there are to save data from a POS system, customer records, transaction records, login accounts, report data, etc... I'm just looking for another suggestion, maybe something I haven't thought of yet.

I think I would like to stay with microsoft products. I'm not sure on the reliability of MySQL. I've never used it. How does it compare to MS SQL? It may be one possible solution since I believe my clients can just download a free copy of the MySQL Server and install it on a computer. I think MySQL is completely free.

Is this forum run off of MySQL? It seems this is a very busy forum and it seems to handle well.

Then again if my program is designed right maybe I can let the client pick their database type, access, MS SQL, MySQL. Depending on their needs.

Thanks!