Migration to modern platforms such as .Net and MS-SQL Server =
without
the need for a big bang approach.
Our goal:
Provide ourselves and our customers with smooth
migration strategies and tools that make sure we leverage existing investm=
ents
as much as possible as well as ensuring that new investments will continue=
to
be leveraged into the future.
Our philosophy:
The true value of our current applications is locked within our minds=
and
source code. We will unlock this value by using and
creating reusable models, components and standards. Your current source co=
de
might make you money today but is largely useless when you need to build t=
he
next incarnations of your systems.
The first step is recogniz=
ing
the problem and deciding how to deal with it. The aim is to prevent making=
the
same mistakes again.
The next step is to keep on
reading and consider using some of our services.
Here's an example of what we mean: Many reports are either hard coded or b=
uilt
using report writers that use a proprietary format to store their definiti=
ons.
We will make use of SQL Server Reporting Services which stores report
definitions in a standardized XML-format called RDL-files. This way the ac=
tual
report definition can always be read and migrated into new formats or tool=
s,
seriously reducing maintenance costs in the future. We provide our custome=
rs
with services and tools to migrate existing report solutions into the RDL
standard.
Software Objectives can migrate your reports fo=
r you
delivering tested reports built using SQL Server Reporting Services or sel=
l you
the tools to do the migration yourself. Migrating reports from ReportPro into RDL can be done for as low as $99 per
report.
Database migration: Using =
our
data access tools and classes for Visual Objects you can migrate existing
legacy dbf-data into a modern SQL Server 2005 platform. We also support DB=
2,
Oracle and Sybase. This can be a side by side migration; you can keep your
existing applications largely un-altered as our classes are highly compati=
ble
with VO’s standard dbServer classes.
We have already migrated large applications like this, some in as little a=
s 4
weeks with only two people working on the project. After such a migration a world of new possibilities is available to y=
ou
immediately.
You can have replication of data between remote systems, new interacti=
ve
reports (we integrate SQL Server Reporting Services Reports into
VO-applications), make use of triggers and stored procedures, a much more
reliable database without index corruption and a framework for accessing
business logic and data from within Microsoft Office applications.
Modern technologies like the Windows Workflow Foundation, advanced data mi=
ning,
Web Services and document management are now within reach and easy to impl=
ement
using our shared tools, samples and tutorials.
Some of our tools:
SQLMaster
A tool to mange, create and modify databases, tables and oth=
er
SQL objects in a familiar GUI environment. You can import and convert DBF =
tables,
create SQL scripts and objects and retrieve or edit data. It even generate=
s VO,
C# and VB code for you. You will thus be able to port all your tabular data
into the SQL world with minimal effort.
SQLClass library
The SQL class library is a wrapper around SQL statements=
and
ADO. It allows you to use existing DBF syntax without limiting your access=
to
the more advanced SQL concepts of stored procedures, triggers and views. T=
his
extends the life of your DBF code into the future.
ReportPro 2 RDL Converter
A tool to assist you migrating Repo=
rtPro
.rpt files to into the open RDL standard. This is another example where we=
can
help you leverage existing code and resources into your future projects.
Reporting Services Report Viewer dialog for
Visual Objects
This is the easy way to integrate Reporting Services rep=
orts
into your existing VO applications.
Microsoft Office Integration Framework
We have written the code for you to integrate MS Office =
Word,
Excel and Outlook into your applications. This means that you will be able=
to
call and control MS Office from your application or have MS Office call up=
your
business logic and data. We have ready to use add-in templates for VSTO to
kick-start your integration processes.
The Web Service Framework
Extend your Win32 application and its data immediately t=
o the
web or consume existing web services within your VO application now. We pr=
ovide
the interface code and implementation tools to allow you to leverage your
current application out into the wider world or re-use supplied business l=
ogic
from external web services.
VO-Documentation generator
To assist you in protecting your investments it is param=
ount
to document existing and new code in a standardised
way. Our generator allows you to document VO code using XML-standard
documentation and automatically generate the same docs from VO as you get =
from
MS-Visual Studio.
Manatee
A class library written in C# with many familiar VO-func=
tions
to give you a jump start into .Net and C#. This has two benefits. Firstly,=
if
you can't remember what the StrTr=
an() equivalent was in .Net, you just use StrTran()!
But secondly, if you wish to find out what the .Net equivalent is, you hav=
e the
source code as real examples for you.
Our services:
We provide a wide range of services to support this process. Whilst there =
is a
wealth of free documentation and tools, we can also provide consultancies =
to
support turn key projects, migration tools, documentation, redevelopment
strategies and training for your staff. What we often do and prefer is to =
coach
you on-site. We come in, make an analysis and prepare the migration strate=
gy
for you. In parallel with this process, we train your staff and create pro=
ject
specific documentation and models. Typical scenarios take around 4-8 man w=
eeks
to get up and running and require around the same amount of work from inte=
rnal
staff finishing what we started. We are available for support using phone,
email and instant messaging for the duration of the project and come in fo=
r an
evaluation every other week.
We can also provide project management for you and report to management ab=
out
progress. This will create a pool of external experts for your organizatio=
n to
fall back on when extra capacity is needed in the future. You will also pr=
ofit
tremendously from the documentation and models we create in the process,
unlocking the true value of the business process your application supports=
.
Our existing clients include organisations whe=
re data
and process security was paramount. Thus we are very comfortable with
confidentiality requirements and can help the client protect this when
extending themselves into the web environment.<=
br>
Our training, support and tutorials:
We have written many tutorials to help guide you through the process. =
All
you need to do to gain access to these valuable resources is to register on
this site. This will also give you access to our collaboration website and
support forum. Many tutorials have expanded into one day workshops that ca=
n be
combined into several days of training. We provide special programmer retr=
eat
events where we dedicate a few days in a quiet location and relaxing atmos=
phere
to optimize the learning experience. On request we also can come in for
in-house training session if you prefer. Keeping costs as low as possible =
we
can keep the groups we train at once very small. Typically we train a maxi=
mum
of 8 people at a time with two trainers, one presenting the material, the =
other
coaching the students. For most training events we only need a group of 4 =
students
to make it cost effective. Students use their own laptop to connect to our
network and servers. These have been setup to specifically to maximise training value and allows us to create small
projects that can be taken home after training and put to immediate use.
Software Developer Network Australia:
Our support does not end with the formal training or workshop. Once yo=
u are
our customer you will have access to our collaboration website and support
forum. This is where we can follow up your questions and provide you with =
new
samples, tools and tutorials as well as peer to peer support from our other
customers. Our collaboration website is our own on-line community. We are
planning annual conferences to give you all the latest news, updates and
training for a very modest fee.