The "Re-compile to GUI" silver bullet just will not come - if for no other reason than the fact that "GUI" sits in front of an "event model", and your green screen code doesn't cater for any event other than the enter button !
There are many paths to the "Nirvana" of GUI (obviously I think - KNOW - that Viságe is the best, but I'll refrain from further direct reference), but they all take time, effort and money. This investment can be greatly reduced by your ability to re-use what you already have in place, most notably that "smart" database design that works so well, and large chunks of code that do smart things. However, I doubt that you OR your 4.5 customers have the time or money to commit to such a project (maybe getting them all to fund development of a single core --> but ....) - they may "think" moving to GP (or equivalent) will save them, but the client you are loosing may actually provide you with a real, live example of why your remaining customers should NOT embark on this path. If it is eye candy you are after, why not give it to them ? For example, have you considered adding BI/DW facilities using products like MITS or Viságe.BIT (the latter would also give you the infrastructure to start to develop GUI screens for other key areas) so that your clients get better visibility of WHERE their sales are coming from ? You mentioned email - there are numerous tools available to enable you to email documents like Invoices, Quotes & Statements, and produce these with images, mixed font etc (download a free eval of our WordLynx, FaxLynx & MailLynx products if you get stuck :-) It is up to YOU to update these people to the latest mv technology - no-one else is interested in doing this EXCEPT YOU ! Everyone else out there wants to sell them Great Plains !! so unless YOU start to get them to embrace what is possible, working from their rich mv heritage, the only thing I CAN tell you with certainty is that next you will have 3.5 clients, then 2.5, then ... We all TRIED to ignore Windows & GUI - it didn't go away ! We all waited for the miracle/no pain GUI conversion tool - no joy ! Just remember, your FAILURE to act IS an action ! and I don't think you will like the consequences ! (I don't mean to single you out - you are not alone ! and whilst you may think my comments are harsh, I fear they could be a portent for the future) Ross Ferris Stamina Software Visage - an Evolution in Software Development >-----Original Message----- >From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On >Behalf Of Mark Johnson >Sent: Sunday, 18 April 2004 12:34 AM >To: U2 Users Discussion List >Subject: Re: Crystal Reports > > >I think the greatest oversight in all of MV is the inability to re-compile >the existing source code to a GUI equivilent. I'm smart enough to realize >how tremendously difficult that would be. But I know that a major reason >for >my current dilema with this UD/Results guy going to Great Plains is the >visual aspect of it. People taste with their eyes and most IT 20-something >guys have never seen anything decent on a character-based screen so they >relegate it to the sophistication of command-line DOS. While they have made >an incorrect conclusion, their voices speak loudest. And since they hold >the >keys to the contemporary services: email, web sites, network admin etc, >their opinions may carry more weight. > --- Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free. Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com). Version: 6.0.658 / Virus Database: 421 - Release Date: 9/04/2004 -- u2-users mailing list [EMAIL PROTECTED] http://www.oliver.com/mailman/listinfo/u2-users
