Just a further note on the FoxPro issue. Through all the hustle I also
tried Access as a Database. However it might be interesting for you how
databases compare speed-wise.
Currently I connect to three DB (all contain the same scheme and
identical data). To startup my application I received the following
speed figures.
- MS-SQL Server: normal start 1.4 seconds ( in in Debug-Mode 21 Seconds)
- Access: normal start 7.5 seconds( in in Debug-Mode 14.5 Seconds)
- FoxPro: normal start 2,6 seconds( in in Debug-Mode 21 Seconds)

Debug Mode means - SQL Command logging:
<add
key="hibernate.show_sql"
value="true"
/>

In case of performance problems with Access-DBs consider using FoxPro.
Similar to Access you also need only access to a (network-)drive instead
of installing a whole database server and dealing with all the overhead
in terms of configuration, maintenance and administration. 

Greeting antoschka