I work for the URA of Pittsburgh. The URA is a local government agency
that is responsible for economic development for the city of Pittsburgh,
PA.
We have used RBase since 1987 to manage our loan portfolio and property
databases.
The URA has been fortunate to have contracted for the services of
Razzak to design and implement many of our databases.
These have been rock solid applications. I have not had a support
issue with these applications for many years.
I too have had to justify why we are using Rbase with the management at
the URA.
My arguments are
Very little cost for support (We have not budgeted any amount for
2005).
Rbase handles the growth of the application.
It seems to me, Microsoft gets its hooks into an organization using
Access, the next you know your talking SQL Server to meet your growing
needs.
In summary, the URA uses Rbase to meet its business needs every day.
These systems have been available every day for the last 18 years
without interruption. Why we would use anything else?
I would be interested in the outcome of your story.
>>> [EMAIL PROTECTED] 5/19/2005 8:51:57 PM >>>
At 02:57 PM 5/19/2005, James Hageman wrote:
>I am looking for some help in examples of why Rbase is
>better and that is does use a real programming language
>and a list of major organizations that are using rbase.
James,
It's funny that once in a while you have to explain your
position on "Why are you still using R:BASE?" I invite all
those who are subscribed to "this" list to also explain why.
Some are using R:BASE and making a good living while others
have gotten full time positions because of their R:BASE
knowledge and experience with the product.
We receive facts and feedback from users every now and then,
and here is some data to pass along. Having not used Access,
I cannot confirm nor dispute the feedback. But, the facts
are solid.
Facts:
. R:BASE is the first true relational database.
. There has been continued development since 1981 (before
many databases were even born, including MS Access).
. As a pioneer of relational databases, even the big Microsoft
sold R:BASE under their name. You probably have seen that
blue box in my office.
R:BASE allows the storage of more data than MS Access in file
size and I believe, the number of columns. R:BASE has a 2 GB
file size limitation (use R:BASE V-8 "Turbo" otherwise) and
allows 16,000 tables, and 16,000 columns. Access is limited
to 1GB per file. R:BASE supports TEMPORARY Tables, Triggers
and "After" Triggers, along with Stored Procedures.
R:BASE is a viable and attractive option to address data
storage concerns. What makes R:BASE attractive in this
situation is the cost, performance, stability, functionality
options, and efficiency benefits that R:BASE brings to the
table. Because of these advantages, R:BASE is not only an
excellent on going solution, but should be seriously considered
as a standardized resource for many others.
Here is why:
Stability:
R:BASE has PROVEN stability in your own department as well as
others. I'm not sure exactly how long it has been used in your
own department, but R:BASE has been used at the University of
Delaware Admissions Department for over 13 years.
Adaptability:
Look at what your department's original system was and look at
it now. You were able to convert that system into a normalized,
hierarchical, relational database system. This conversion was
completed at a fraction of the cost that would have been incurred
with any other systems (MS Access, SQL Server, Oracle, etc.).
Scalability:
R:BASE's simple database development tools allow non-programmers
to create simple databases, forms, and reports with minimal
training. The Application Wizard will even allow non-programmers
to wrap the forms and reports into a menu driven application for
one or more co-workers to use. This non-technical interface makes
R:BASE a superior tool for small individual or larger departmental
data tracking and reporting needs. At the same time, R:BASE
provides the professional strength programming, security, and
graphical interface tools that allow programmers to create solid
and secure enterprise applications accessible by a large numbers
of users.
Compatibility:
R:BASE is ODBC 3 compliant which puts it at the leading edge of
its competitors. ODBC 3 compliancy means that R:BASE is an excellent
back end for the front end applications that need to port data with
ease. R:BASE also has unprecedented import/export functionality.
R:BASE data can be exported to 18 different formats including dBASE
(dbf), Paradox, CSV, MS Excel, SLK, DIF, Lotus 1-2-3, SQL Script,
XML, RTF, LDAP, and others. R:BASE can import data from 9 different
formats including DBF, XLS, TEXT (fixed record length and comma
delimited), Excel, HTML, XML, and MS Access.
Cost Effectiveness:
R:BASE programmers world wide have reported that they have been able
to develop and implement large and small applications in a fraction
of the time that it would have taken them using more commonly used
tools from Visual Basic to Oracle. And with its unique, non-technical
interface, R:BASE provides non-programmers the ability to implement
effective solutions without being limited by a spreadsheet, needing
to learn Visual Basic, or requiring the services of a trained
programmer.
Programmers will be able to complete projects faster with R:BASE's
powerful relational database tools and command sets. With network
per seat licenses costing $154.00 each, R:BASE provides a practical
alternative to high end products with similar capabilities with a
price point and user interface that supports low end projects.
R:BASE solutions also avoid the on-going support and maintenance
costs associated with "canned" applications. These hidden costs can
significantly increase the total cost of ownership of such programs.
R:BASE is the only database including a complete product package
where everything is built-in and integrated, including:
. Data Designer
. Data Browser/Editor
. Query Wizard/Designer
. Form Wizard/Designer
. Report Wizard/Designer
. Label Wizard/Designer
. Application Wizard/Designer
. Image Manager (BLOB Viewer/Editor)
. File Gateway/Export including XML
. Syntax Highlighting Editor
. R> Prompt
. Built-In PDF, HTML, XHTML, RTF ... Writers
. Built-In 128 Bit PDF Encryption
. Built-In Bar Codes
. Over 70 Native Form Controls
. Over 20 Report Controls, including CrossTab
. Sub-Reports
. Themes on the fly
. Built-MAPI E-Mail
. Support for Custom Plugins
. Portable Application Files (.RBA)
. Multi-Session
. Support for Triggers and "After" Triggers
. Support of Temporary Tables/Views
Raw Power:
R:BASE is a true relational database with referential integrity,
multi-user and security built in at the engine level. It is fast,
stable, and supports an extensive, object based programming
environment that is faster to develop in than other alternatives
in its class. It supports nested reports and report output in
formats such as HTML and Adobe PDF with 128 bit encryption which
puts it in front of the alternatives. Integrated add-on tools
such as mail merge, charts, spell check, email automation, fax,
runtime, compiler, and archive make R:BASE a price/performance
industry leader.
For more information on R:BASE capabilities and background,
please check out the following links:
Strengths of R:BASE
http://www.razzak.com/fte/strengths.htm
R:BASE vs. Others
http://www.razzak.com/fte/rbasevsothers.htm
While the documents referenced by these links were written some
time back and refer to R:BASE version 6.5, the points are still
valid -- an indication of R:BASE's history as a leading edge
database engine. In fact, now that R:BASE 7.5 is available,
many points are really understated. R:BASE V-8 "Turbo" is also
available for those who have reached the limit of 2GB.
In addition to the facts above, if you would like to see how
federal, state, local, educational, law enforcement agencies
and big corporations are using R:BASE today, please feel free
to contact me for an on-site demonstration.
I hope that the above will be helpful in assisting you to
realistically evaluate your options. The information may be
a bit technical in nature for the people you have to pass it
along to, but I wanted to provide the concrete details that
would be helpful for any IT staff who might review this
document. Please feel free to forward it to anyone you feel
might find it useful or helpful.
Very Best R:egards,
Razzak.
