Joel - In addition to the other suggestions you've received (and I'm in agreement with them all!) I have two more suggestions:
1. You should also look closely at your data structure to be sure that it can remain constant for all your locations. For example, if you have US and Canadian zip codes, make your zip code field long enough for both - and perhaps include a Country field, too even though it seems redundant for the US records. If you can keep all your end users in the SAME database structure and just manage the differences via information stored in programming management tables it will be much easier to distribute and support. 2. Create a "Tech Help" form that is part of the app that uses CVAL variables to display the exact version and build of R:BASE that is running, along with the full drive/directory path of the connected database. That way, for support calls, you can have the user go to that screen and be able to give you that information. This form can also display the current version of your application from data stored in a program table so you can tell if they have installed your updates. I also provide a "Tech Support Email" button on this form that is pre-addressed to myself and the subject line provides me with information about the user's location & version. Sami -------------------------------------------- Sami Aaron Software Management Specialists 19312 W. 63rd Terr Shawnee, KS 66218 913-915-1971 Fax: 913-962-9431 http://www.softwaremgmt.com You Wrote: ---------- I have a question for the developers out there. First, a little history. I am developing an application for our schools nationwide. Although the base application is the same for all the schools, some of the schools require customization due to geographic locations or operational issues. Therefore, what is the best way to manage these changes? It would be quite a task to maintain a separate application for each school. What about general updates to everyone's application? What is the best way to approach these updates? Thanks in advance for any feedback Joel Solomon _______________________________________________________ Processed by the Software Management Specialists Web Mail Program
