We have an ERP under Advanced Revelation 3.2 and NLM,totally programmed using RBasic. We do not make use of SQL tools, RLIST, Dictionaries, and the like supplied with the Data Base. Nor we do make use of the mouse.

We have de need to migrate our application to a NON MSDOS environment, with an easy and almost direct interface with Office tools (Excel, Word, Access, etc.). Currently we provide an alternative functionality through text files.

We need to know:

1) How can Open Insight help us to solve the need we explained above.

2) We already know O.I. works with Novell, Server2000. Does it works also in Linux. If not, when will it.

3) In the Open Insight environment how the printing works. Currently we have it programmed in RBasic via LPT of MSDOS. Will our present solution continue to work, or we will need to rely in Windows drivers …

4) So far we understand that OpenInsight is a Data Base with a set of tools to develop applications in an intranet environment. Are we right ?

We will be grateful to anyone that can provide some guidance.

Genis Barcons

Barcelona

SPAIN

We are very gratefull you all for your postings on our subject. We'll come back soon, as we get rid of another dead line effort we are currently in, which prevents us form devoting to the various lines of action suggested the deserved analisys time.

Really your responses are encouraging.

Many Thanks

Genís

GB] We have an ERP under Advanced Revelation 3.2 and NLM,totally programmed using RBasic. We do not make use of SQL tools, RLIST, Dictionaries, and the like supplied with the Data Base. Nor we do make use of the mouse.

DSig] so my guess it is all PRINT @ for any display and INPUT for response .. Sounds like an old *PICK* terminal system simply copied and moved over to Arev ..

GB]We have de need to migrate our application to a NON MSDOS environment, with an easy and almost direct interface with Office tools (Excel, Word, Access, etc.). Currently we provide an alternative functionality through text files.

GB]We need to know:

GB]1) How can Open Insight help us to solve the need we explained above.

DSig]Moving to almost any windows environment will cause you to rewrite your code. I would guess that 99% of window environments will not allow you to PRINT @ as you are currently doing.

IF you don't want this rewrite you can look at U2 or even jBase the the conversion to that would be greater.

Getting past the standard Input and Output .. for communication to everything else in the Windows world you can dde, odbc, connect through OCX etc.

GB]2) We already know O.I. works with Novell, Server2000. Does it works also in Linux. If not, when will it.

Although the RTI guys will say more .. Yes it is reported to work with Linux with the 7.0 release. At least that is the word on the streets

GB]3) In the Open Insight environment how the printing works. Currently we have it programmed in RBasic via LPT of MSDOS. Will our present solution continue to work, or we will need to rely in Windows drivers …

DSig] I believe there are some (outside of oi) hacks available but your best bet is to use the windows drivers. There are a couple different solutions available for Windows Reporting in OI .. there is Reporter which is a full blown 'Banded' drag/drop style reporter, OIPI which is a developer interface to the printer .. SList from Sprezzatura and finally any Windows tool which can use ODBC. With the OI ODBC driver you pick the tool you want .. Excel .. cool ..

GB]4) So far we understand that OpenInsight is a Data Base with a set of tools to develop applications in an intranet environment. Are we right ?

DSig]Yes. It is similar to Arev (the dark prince rolls in his grave) but more so. Tools for creation of windows, popups, Datasets (using external ODBC connections) and Database manipulation.

GB]We will be grateful to anyone that can provide some guidance.

DSig] Hope this helps .. ask more here or feel free to email me ..

[email protected]

DSigs Radio Free Oregon

Genis,

Revelation Software offer a "porting" service - that will take your present system and convert it to a full working OpenInsight system. Turn-around possibly within the week. Cost very reasonable.

Obviously you would have to do your own customisation etc but such a conversion gives you a jump start.

Just had a client working thru the process recently.

Richard Bright

I can endorse the Porting Lab, having gone through the process with a client recently.

There's still plenty to do as the client's application is very complex, but just having the Windows, Collectors, popups, commuter modules etc. migrated is a tremendous time saving step.

Genis,

We have an ERP under Advanced Revelation 3.2 and NLM,totally programmed using RBasic. We do not make use of SQL tools, RLIST, Dictionaries, and the like supplied with the Data Base. Nor we do make use of the mouse. We have de need to migrate our application to a NON MSDOS environment, with an easy and almost direct interface with Office tools (Excel, Word, Access, etc.). Currently we provide an alternative functionality through text files.

My first question is, "why do you need to migrate?" I'm sure I could come up with a million answers but I ask the question more as a suggetion for you to consider seriously before moving forward. Your description of your existing system tells me that you have some very specific views on how the application should work. In summary, there seems to be an anti-GUI/anti-tool bias.

I'm not arguing whether or not that is a good thing. Rather, in my experience when I have worked with people in the same situation, moving into the GUI realm (especially one that really encourages you to use tools) is a hard one. Therefore, if you want this experience to be as nice and easy as possible then it would be in your best interest to know in advance that a lot of paradigm shifting will need to happen.

That said, IMHO OpenInsight is the best way for you to migrate…especially if you need to maintain your multivalued data structures. You will need to become familiar with the Form Designer. You could theoretically design input screens without any dictionaries, but this means you are designing windows that you will populate and manage virtually 100% with Basic+ (OI's version of R/Basic). This means a lot of work. The normal path is to build databound (data-aware) screens and allow OI to handle the I/O and locking features for you. However, this will require dictionaries.

1) How can Open Insight help us to solve the need we explained above.

I believe so as stated above. You just need to know what is required to make this happen.

2) We already know O.I. works with Novell, Server2000. Does it works also in Linux. If not, when will it.

You can use Linux as a server right now using the Universal Driver. Revelation is currently working on the next version of OpenInsight (v7.0 aka LeapFrop) that will also allow you to run OpenInsight on Linux workstations without an emulator.

3) In the Open Insight environment how the printing works. Currently we have it programmed in RBasic via LPT of MSDOS. Will our present solution continue to work, or we will need to rely in Windows drivers …

Out of the box, OpenInsight uses the print engine of the Windows operating system. There are tools for creating template-oriented and columnar reports. There are also a powerful Basic+ functions that allow you to write your own reports and forms with complete control over the output.

Because Windows employs fonts, graphics, and the like, your existing print code will not work as nice as it did in DOS. There is a third-party tool (Direct Print from Splaver Software) that will allow you to reuse your original code. This utility allows you to bypass the Windows print engine and print directly to the printer port as DOS apps do.

4) So far we understand that OpenInsight is a Data Base with a set of tools to develop applications in an intranet environment. Are we right ?

Well, it can do so much more than that but it definitely does what you are describing here. You can extend to the internet via HTML (using the provided OECGI) and Java (using a separate Revelation product called JOI). The database engine can be connected to with alternative IDE's using the provided XREV.dll COM object. So much more…but it seems you want to focus on desktop/network application development. Have good cheer, OpenInsight can definitely do that as well.

[email protected]

SRP Computer Solutions, Inc.

Hi Genis. I tried calling you at FACOMSA as this is more sales related than technical but I could not get a reply. Can you please send me an email with your email address and I will pleased to respond fully to your posting. My email address is [email protected]

Many thanks,

Martyn.

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