The Refresh Orlando Heirs

Microsoft Business Solutions - Great Plains has captured the US market with its integrated business applications for small and mid-size organizations. Its comprehensive accounting and business management capabilities provide businesses with tools to customize various modules of the Great Plains software. These tools have been proven to have contributed to business growth and tighter control over its processes.

There are several ways in which customization and integration can be applied to Great Plains applications because of its open architecture characteristic. Integrity of data and performance of processes can also be validated using one of the many tools as listed in this article. So how do we answer the question of Customizing Great Plains?

Dexterity

Although Dexterity requires the user an extensive knowledge in software development (primarily in C/C++ or Pascal) and experience in scripting languages (VBScript, or Dexterity’s own script - SanScript), this proprietary programming language that Great Plains was developed in allows access to all of Great Plains resources such as tables, reports and scripts. With this access, you can manipulate and define triggers such as opening a form or leaving a field. Moreover, it can be used to call up procedures and functions and create new applications without interfering with other customizations already in place and integrate them into Great Plains user interface easily.

Dexterity can be installed using CD #2 that comes with the Great Plains 7.5 package.

Modifier with VBA

Modifier with VBA is one of the simplest tools to have for end-users and developers alike. It uses common graphic drawing techniques which can be used to alter the appearance of a Great Plains application. It can be used to move, alter or delete menus within a window so that you can manipulate the importance of each field. It also allows for addition of new windows or controls or simply rearranging those that exists. This customization tool is safe to use since the original information is stored separately from the modified one. Modifications can also be shared with other users. However, unlike Dexterity, it is not recommended to create new applications with Modifier VBA.

Continuum for VBA/Delphi

This tool uses Great Plains as an OLE Server. It captures the VB or Delphi code as queried by the user for macro recording. However, we do not recommend it since it is an old technology.

Crystal Reports

Great Plains comes with its own Report Writer. However, its functionality is limited. Introducing Crystal Reports to Great Plains opens up a whole new world of creating reports. With the use of the Crystal Report Designer Interface, you can easily create complex reports with formatting and grouping just the way you want it - professionally done. Grouped data can be summarized and subtotaled and with its drill-down capabilities, the user can view report data in detail.

Crystal Reports also came up with a version for Visual Studio .NET. With all the features of Crystal Reports 8.0, the Visual Studio .NET version gives .NET users the flexibility to share information and reports over the internet. Through the use of Database drivers, Crystal Reports connects to the Great Plains database and accesses the specific data as queried by the user and selects the tables or views according to the user’s proposition.

In Great Plains, the Tables structure can be found in: Tools > Resource Description > Tables

Direct Web Publishing

If you’re looking to publish your Great Plains information over the Internet, then using Visual Studio .NET is the right tool to use. It allows the deployment of Web-based applications and XML Web Services and can be leveraged by the use of programming languages like Visual Basic .NET, Visual C# and Visual J#.

eConnect

Integrating data from outside sources, such as your point-of-sale applications, customer relationship management applications and Web services, to your Great Plains application is what eConnect is all about. eConnect can filter data or add script to the business object according to the specified diagram. It enables for limiting the number of values entered in a field or setting a default value for the field. Although eConnect promises integration, it asks for advanced programming skills. It uses a number of different programs including Microsoft SQL Server, Visual Basic objects and extensible markup language (XML).

Integration Manager

Converting and transferring data (importing) from one database format (ODBC-compliant) to a Great Plains application can be done with the use of Integration Manager. This tool enables the end-user to map the data source to the target field without the need to search from the database tables. SQL queries can also be defined to accompany your integration and data validation. Integration Manager requires development experience with a background in database maintenance, SQL commands and VBA or VBScript to name a few.

SQL Queries

Microsoft SQL Server is a database engine that gives users tools for creating, configuring and maintaining databases. It is integrated directly into the Great Plains database. Its Query Engine enables you to create statements to call up certain information from the database. Although this is a powerful tool, SQL queries should only be done with experienced hands. One false statement could wipe out your database.

The smooth operations of your business depend on YOU. With the right experience and education, these tools for customizing your applications and database can lead your business to a better ground.

Need more information?
Contact us: 1-866-528-0577

help@albaspectrum.com

For customization work and advice, please contact Andrew Karasev, Alba Spectrum Chief Technology Officer. His works include development of applications with the use of Dexterity, SQL, C# .NET, Crystal Reports and Microsoft CRM SDK.

Divine Rigor is the Technical Writer for Alba Spectrum Technologies USA ( http://www.albaspectrum.com ), a Great Plains, Microsoft CRM customization company. We are based in Chicago with locations in California, Arizona, Texas, Florida, Georgia, New York and contacts in international markets.

With the demise of ‘the woman down the road’ many people are finding it difficult to find a domestic cleaner. This cleaner traditionally would not just be a cleaner but would probably do the washing up, ironing and ‘tidier upper’. These people, invariably woman would be paid a minimal amount and expected to stay for between 3 - 4 hours. They would use the equipment available in the household together with any cleaning products supplied by the householder.

With girls now outperforming boys academically and the majority now having much higher expectations than previous generations this pool of domestic cleaners is drying up. Consequently many people are now turning to commercial cleaning companies to meet their needs. However their mindset towards domestic cleaners has not changed to any great degree.

Some companies specialise in supplying domestic cleaners to meet the customer’s requirements. Other contract cleaning companies have seen the opportunities now available in the domestic market and have branched out into that sector. Traditionally these firms have costed their work by the task and not per hour. So when quoting for a domestic clean they give an amount they require for doing the job. If this is a one off clean then it is not normally a problem. However if it is a weekly clean it can cause problems. The householder knows how long it takes to clean their house, because they have done it. So they have an idea of how long they would like the cleaners to be working for. Invariably if two people are cleaning you can be in and out within an hour. The comment from the householder will often be ‘you finished already?’ Implying that you could not have possibly done the job properly.

What domestic customers fail to realise is that they are now bringing in professional cleaners. These are people who have experience, skills and knowledge built up over several years. They will also be using their own equipment and cleaning products which by and large will be superior to branded products from the super market. As a result they will clean much faster than the average person. This applies to most jobs. We may all be able to do some of them but rarely as quickly and efficiently as someone who actually does it for a job.

So if you hire in a contract cleaning company to carry out your domestic cleaning remember you are getting professional cleaners not the ‘little woman’ from down the road.
About the Author

David Andrew Smith, previously a teacher in Secondary schools now owns and operates http://www.wesparkle.co.uk, and has now been in the cleaning industry for many years.

USB 2.0-ism Is Like Despotism

USB (Universal Serial Bus) was designed after the ruling style of David Bowie, the famous 6th century Saxon Despot. His empire was vast, and he subdued his captors with hits like Ziggy Stardust and Blue Jean. His famous demise characterized him as the man who sold the world during a moonage daydream, and was forced to face the strange changes of the wensleydale cheese famine of 581 A.D.

Just like the great 6th century despot, David Bowie, USB uses a similar “Master-Slave” architecture.
If you suddenly have that catchy Depeche Mode song Master and Servant stuck in your head, feel free to pause here and sing it out of your system.
The computer (aka master, aka the unrelenting owner of mankind’s souls, aka David Bowie) determines and dictates all data flow to and from and between all peripherals. Although your despotic computer is pretty smart sometimes, and can even be a benign ruler, it isn’t always the best at controlling the data throughput.
USB 2.0 is also called “hi-speed” USB because it has a theoretical data transfer rate of 480 mbps (”b” here is of course for “bits” and not “bytes”), faster than 6-pin firewire transfer rates of 400 mbps. This of course is a theoretical transfer rate because USB’s tyrannical system of being in charge of controlling data is just plain inefficient (sorry folks, not getting anymore technical than that), making data transfer rates quite inconsistent. In other words, you will never get a consistant transfer rate of 480 mbps over the course of any practical data transfer. The giant philistine turns out to be a slow poke after all.

Firewire Is Like The American Way

Firewire is like the American way (I’m not talking Democracy, or even Socialism) because it uses a peer-to-peer architecture where the peripherals can make up their own minds about who can control the data transfer best. It is a lot like America’s new peer-to-peer way of distributing data… illegally. The same way Americans can download a peer-to-peer file sharing program and share free versions of Ziggy Stardust, Blue Jean, and Master and Servant, firewire allows peripherals to cooperate and decide the most efficient way to trade data.

The Main Event

Warning: The following content is almost completely heresay.
So some people somewhere did some tests with an IDE hard drive to see if USB 2.0 or Firewire would deliver faster transfer speeds. The thing is, if you look online you will be able to find dozens of these comparison tests and all the results are very similar.
In this particular test:

Read Test
5000 files (300 MB total) Firewire was 33% faster than USB 2.0
160 files (650 MB total) Firewire was 70% faster than USB 2.0

Write Test
5000 files (300 MB total) Firewire was 16% faster than USB 2.0
160 files (650 MB total) Firewire was 48% faster than USB 2.0

Take that, you big mean bully.

Cameron Postelwait works in Business Development at Sewell Direct, retailers of fine Firewire Products and USB to serial adapters.

Almost everyone has experienced it at one time or another. The symptoms range from that clicking noise produced by an otherwise functioning hard drive or a hard drive that is simply no longer being recognized by the computer. The results can be devastating to the end user no matter whether that user is an individual with treasured family photos or a corporation with no backup of its server. Many people assume when their data is lost it is gone forever. However, with care and in the right hands, in many cases the data is 100% recoverable.

The first thing one should always do is stop using the failed media because doing so can cause further damage to the media making recovery more difficult. Many people attempt things such as reformatting or repartitioning a hard drive in an attempt to continue using it. By continuing to use failed media, you will be jeopardizing the existing data you wish to recover.

The most crucial action you should take next is to contact a professional data recovery company. These companies exist for a reason. They specialize in data recovery, and most have years of experience recovering data from failed media. Many of these companies offer clean room service, which is critical if the media needs to be opened for parts replacement. It only takes 0.5 micron of dust on the surface of a hard drive platter to cause permanent data loss.

Choosing a data recovery company should be done carefully. Beware of companies who charge a low flat fee compared to other companies. Data recovery can be expensive because of the tools and labor involved to recover data. There is no “easy fix” in most situations. Many times, a hard drive may need total parts replacement in a clean room using highly specialized equipment. For RAID recovery, there can be many labor hours involved in destriping the RAID in order for the data to make sense.

Data recovery is more successful when left in the hands of a professional data recovery company. Each case is different and falls into the category of physical or logical recovery with physical recovery being much more complicated. However, just because the data appears lost does not indicate it is permanently gone.

This article can be freely published on a website however it must not be modified in any way including the author bylines, and the hyperlink must be made active as shown below.

Andrea Stone is employed with ReWave Hard Drive Recovery, a worldwide data recovery company. Visit the company’s Data Recovery website for more information.

In 1962, a group of brilliant engineers have postulated the RS232 serial communications protocol, and until 1998 everybody worked with this communications channel very well. It was present on all PCs, until recently. Today, if you will check the newest models of computers on sale, you are going to discover more than half of the tower/desktop PCs do not have the serial RS232 connector (DB 9), and for certain no laptops have it. This is due to a group of only seven companies: they have figured out they can easily milk more money from users and developers, if they force the implementation of a “better” alternative to the old RS232.

Things are this way. A communications channel should be just what it is: a simple hardware communications channel. Each software routine or hardware module should be capable of accessing the communications channel easily, just by configuring it, and this is exactly the case of the RS232 protocol. Since 1962 millions of applications have been written based on RS232 serial communications, and some of them are technical, unique and very expensive. According to the most basic rule in the digital world, which says “backwards compatibility”, it was logic and natural that RS232 was going to be upgraded to higher speeds, and smaller interface connectors. Unfortunately, logic does not sell very well these days.

The reverse of the good, decent logic says: “Why not make the serial communications channel very difficult to implement? Let’s make that communications channel driver so difficult to implement that people would be glad to pay money to have it already done. In addition, we could make this new serial communications channel strictly dependant, so that it will work only on one particular version of Operating System; for different OS versions, they will have to pay more money! Even more, if somebody is smart enough to develop this new serial communications channel driver, then that person or company will have to pay an annual subscription fee of, say, 10000 up to 20000 USD, in order to sell his or their products.”

“Wait a minute; we can also sell a unique code number with each new driver, named ‘Vendor’s Code’ so that only the big companies are going to afford getting one. The medium and small developers, and the public eventually, will have to pay for it!”

“Could we make it worse?”

“Yes, we can take out all ‘free of charge’ RS232 connectors, from all PCs, so that everybody will have to implement the ‘better’ communications channels. Ha, ha!”

“Can we make it even worse?”

“Yes, we do have many possibilities to make it worse, but we will implement them gradually, one at a time, so that our new source of wealth will never dry out!”

“Now, to add insult to the injury, I suggest naming the new communications protocol “universal”: the Universal Serial Bus!”

“Ha, ha, ha!”

A communications channel it is just like a necessary tool: you grab it and work with it, then you put it back where you took it from. You do not need to work for 3 or 4 months to develop a “driver” for that channel–nobody did it with RS232. Today, implementing USB communications in a small project it is more demanding that the project itself, for most applications, and it is so expensive that small and medium developers cannot afford doing it: they have to buy USB drivers from “qualified-vendors”!

Sure, the qualified-vendors are also selling RS232-to-USB adaptors, but this is still lots of extra costs added to the totally free RS232 interface we had. However, what is really alarming is, the trend is to eliminate any trace of free communications channels, from all PCs! With little efforts today, the international community of developers and IEEE could get together and reinstate the old RS232 serial communications channel, based on an upgraded and (easily) backwards compatible new RS232 protocol. This is not very difficult and I offer my help.

Please note; besides from being intentionally very difficult to implement and costly, the USB protocol it is a proprietary one. That group of seven companies I mentioned has a license on it! This is not right, because PC architecture it is public domain, and same is the old, reliable, RS232 serial communications channel. They belong to all of us, and it is our right and duty to protect public domain from being stolen. If we do not defend our rights, now, rest assured we are going to see more parts of our PCs becoming the property of few groups of companies, one by one.

O G POPA is Professional Engineer in BC, Canada. His home site is Corollary Theorems at http://www.corollarytheorems.com

Berenike’s Majesty

The loveliness that crowned her youth,

Swept the grounds with all its roots;

With gentle years and womanhood

With lazy-days and laughs of grace;

Now passes by her majesty.

Her breasts triumphant for a life of flesh

Defiant in her pose, Love was captured,

And love was lost, but proudly her child

Did grow—Her child’s her victory, Her

New tranquil majesty—.

#1055 1/3/06 Chapter #15,

of: “The Sylphlike of Alexandra”

Sinful Games

Stubborn, are our sins

Faint, is our memory

Of them! …

Like a vapor, that

Surrounds our will;

Tears do not cleanse

Our sins,

Only covers them.

We sink through shadows

Nibbling, here and there;

Sly we think we are

With our hidden desires.

We squeeze the juices

Out of our brains

To play life’s sinful games.

#1056 1/3/06 Part of Chapter #16,
of: “The Sylphlike of Alexandra” 278 BC

Coldhearted Swan

“I will not cry,” the child-bride scorned

Silent as stone, to marry a man

so very, very old—.

“I’m so-beautiful,” she cried, eyes

Wide, her heart in protest:

“Father must I marry,” in a haunted

pose, she arouse.

“Life’s near fair in eternal splendor;

But not so, in the real world.”

And like a swan, she covered

Her wings, and become his trophy

his cold-hearted thing.

#0157 1/4/06: from the story “Kush, Land of he Bow,”
Part Two to “The Sylphlike of Alexandra” 525 BC, Chapter #5

See Dennis’ web site: http://dennissiluk.tripod.com see http://www.alibris.com for Dennis’ books

Data loss is an expensive reality. It’s a hard fact that it happens more often then users like to admit. A recent study by the accounting firm McGladrey and Pullen estimates that one out of every 500 data centers will experience a severe computer disaster this year. As a result, almost half of those companies will go out of business. At the very least, a data loss disaster can mean lost income and missed business opportunities.

The other side of data loss is the psychological and emotional turmoil it can cause to IT managers and business owners. Despair, panic, and the knowledge that the whole organization might be at risk are involved. In a sense, that’s only fair, since human error is one of the two largest contributing factors in data loss. Together with mechanical failure, it accounts for almost 75 per cent of all incidents. (Software corruption, computer viruses and physical disasters such as fire and water damage make up the rest.)

Disk drives today are typically reliable. Human beings, it turns out, are not. A Strategic Research Corp. study done in 2000 found that approximately 15 per cent of all unplanned downtime occurred due to human error. A significant proportion of that happened because users failed to implement adequate backup procedures, either having trouble with their backups, or having no backup at all.

How does it happen that skilled, high-level users put their systems - and their businesses - at such risk?

In many cases, the problem starts long before the precipitating system error is made, that is, when users place their faith in out-of-box solutions that may not, in fact, fit their organization’s needs. Instead of assessing their business and technology requirements, then going to an appropriate engineered solution, even experienced IT professionals at large corporations will often simply buy what they’re sold. In this case, faith in technology can be an vice instead of a virtue.

But human intervention itself can sometimes be the straw that breaks the technology’s back. When the office of a Venezuelan civil engineering firm was devastated by floods, its owners sent 17 soaked, mud-coated disks from three RAID arrays to us in plastic bags. A tough enough salvage job was made even more complex by the fact that someone had frozen the drives before shipping them. As the disks thawed, yet more damage was done. (After eight weeks of painstaking directory-by-directory recovery, all the data from the remaining fifteen disks was retrieved.)

Sometimes, the underlying cause of a data loss event is simply shoddy housekeeping. The more arduous the required backup routine, the less likely it will be done on a regular basis. A state ambulance monitoring system suffered a serious disk failure, only to discover that its automated backup hadn’t run for fourteen months. A tape had jammed in the drive, but no-one had noticed.

When disaster strikes, the normal human reaction is panic. Because the loss of data signifies critical consequences, even the most competent IT staff can jump to conclusions, and take inappropriate action. A blank screen at a critical time can lead to a series of naive decisions, each one compounding the preceding error. Wrong buttons get pushed, and the disaster only gets worse. Sometimes the pressure to correct the system failure speedily can result in an attempt to reconfigure an entire RAID array. IT specialists are typically not equipped to deal with crisis modes or data recovery techniques. Just as a good physician is trained to prolong life, the skilled IT specialist is trained to keep the system running. When a patient dies, the physician turns to others, such as nurses or counselors to manage the situation. When significant data loss occurs, the IT specialist turns to the data recovery professional.

Data recovery specialists are innovative problem solvers. Often, the application of basic common sense, when no-one else is in any condition to apply it, is the beginning of the journey towards data recovery. The data recovery specialist draws on a wealth of experience, married to a “never say die” attitude, and a comprehensive tool kit of problem-solving procedures. Successful recovery outcomes hinge on a combination of innovative logistics, applied problem-solving, and “technology triage,” the process of stabilizing an affected system quickly, analyzing and treating its wounds, and preparing it for surgery. The triage process sets priorities, such as targeting which files are needed first or which are absolutely vital to the functioning of the business, and establishes whether files might be recovered in less structured formats (such as text-only), which may be desirable when time is crucial.

The art and science of professional data recovery can spell the difference between a business’ success or its failure. Before that level of intervention is required, though, users can take steps to ensure that the probability of a data loss disaster is minimized.

Basic to any business technology plan is a regular fire-drill procedure. Back-up routines may be in place, staff may assigned to specific roles, hardware and software may be configured - but, if the user isn’t completely sure that everything works the way it should, a data loss event is inevitable. Having adequate, tested, and current backups in place is critical. A hardware breakdown should not be compounded by human error - if the malfunctioning drive is critical, the task of dealing with it should go to a data recovery professional.

Just as data loss disasters are rooted in a combination of mechanical failure and human error, so, too, the data recovery solution lies in a creative marriage of the technological and the human. The underlying philosophy of successful data recovery is that technology is something to be used by human beings, not something that uses us.

Name: Darryl Peddle
Company: CBL Technologies, Canada
Author description: Darryl Peddle is an Internet Marketing Specialist with CBL Technologies, one of the largest data recovery specialists in the world.
Website: http://www.cbltech.com

There’s quite an emphasis on security in today’s networks, and that’s reflected in Cisco’s certification tracks. Cisco offers a CCIE Security track and the Cisco Certified Security Professional (CCSP) intermediate-level certification, but there is no real equivalent to the CCNA on the security side. Instead, Cisco offers several different Security Associate certifications.

The good news is that you’ve got a lot of security specializations from which to choose; the bad news is that you’ve got a lot of choices! In choosing a specialization, take some time to choose a certification that will be of practical use to you in your current position or in your “dream job”.

One of the more popular Security Associate certifications is the Cisco VPN Specialist certification. This two-exam track consists of a Securing Cisco Network Devices (SND, 642-551) exam and a Cisco Secure Virtual Private Networks (CSVPN, 642-511) exam. To earn the Cisco VPN Specialist exam, you must hold a valid CCNA certification.

What should you expect on these exams? On the SND exam, expect to be grilled on basic security features on both switches and routers, as well as VPN 3000 concentrators, PIXes, and IDS/IPS Sensors. You’ll need to be ready to configure and troubleshoot basic AAA configurations, access-lists, syslog, AutoSecure, and much more. You should also be solid with IPSec.

IPSec will also be part of your CSVPN exam. As you’d expect, you’ll also be expected to be quite good with the VPN 3000 Concentrator series, including browser configuration, creating users and group, the Windows VPN Software Client, and more.

This is a demanding certification that is an excellent addition to your resume and your skill set. For the latest on this and other Cisco certifications, you should regularly visit the Learning & Events section of Cisco’s website. As a Cisco certification candidate, it’s your responsibility to stay current of any additions and changes to Cisco’s certification paths - and it’s good for your career!

Chris Bryant, CCIE #12933, is the owner of The Bryant Advantage, home of free CCNP and CCNA tutorials, The Ultimate CCNA Study Package, and Ultimate CCNP Study Packages.
For a FREE copy of his latest e-books, “How To Pass The CCNA” and “How To Pass The CCNP”, just visit the website! You can also get FREE CCNA and CCNP exam questions every day! Pass the CCNP exam with The Bryant Advantage!

Ceiling fans are a practical and decorative addition to any
room. They can be used indoors and out for an attractive yet
useful feature. Choosing which one is ideal is dependent on the
type of use as well as your individual style and taste. They are
available at decorating centers, home improvement stores and
even department stores. They are affordable and can help reduce
energy costs.

Style

There are many ceiling fans available in a variety of styles and
sizes to suit any décor and any size room. For a modern look,
choose a sleek, monochromatic fan with three or four blades. The
clean lines add a bit of elegance and dramatic flair to any
room. Choose a wooden fan in a solid color or steel bladed fan
for the ultra modern look. If you have a more traditional style,
opt for a wooden fan with minimal ornamentation and with four or
five blades. Victorian style fans often come in rich dark words
with ornate decorations and gilding. For a child’s room, you
might choose a themed fan such as a baseball fan or a fan
depicting storybook characters.

Functionality

Most fans are suitable for use indoors but if using it on a
patio or place open to the elements, it is important to choose
one specifically suited for outdoor use. They are treated to
withstand temperature variations, water and sun. Choose a fan
that allows dual direction for use in warn and cold weather.
Changing the direction of the blades will help heat or warm a
room as necessary. Some people prefer the flexibility of having
various speed capabilities. Most fans will allow for at least
two or three speeds, but there are fans available with only one
set speed. Fans typically include lighting or the possibility to
add light. Up lights will direct light toward the ceiling for a
soft glow, adding romance and sophistication to a room. Almost
all lights have the ability to add traditional lighting to help
illuminate the room. Choose a design that fits the fan style.

Installation

Ceiling fans should be eight to nine feet off the ground for
optimum effectiveness. Lower ceilings can use a flush mount
system, which places the fan tight against the ceiling. For
higher ceilings the use of a down rod is necessary. This helps
extend the space between where the fan should be and the
ceiling. If your ceiling is sloped, use an angled mount to level
your fan. When installing a fan it is important to turn off
power to the room for safety. Follow the directions included
closely to ensure everything is set up properly. Most modern
homes are pre wired and no electrical work will be necessary
aside from hooking it up. However, if this is not the case, some
minor electrical work may be needed. If unsure, most home
improvement centers will install for you at a minimal charge.

Ceiling fans are a great addition to any home and can add to the
décor of any style of room. From fun to elaborate, there is a
variety of fan suitable for every style. Choose the fan that
best suits your taste and provides the functionality desired. It
can help reduce heating and cooling costs by re-circulating the
air in a room, lessening the time needed for air conditioners
and heaters to work.

Why Reinvent The Wheel?

For software, be it a database, operating system or any other application, whatever you need, chances are something very similar has already been written. Having located something similar it is usually very easy to adapt it to your own needs. This is a process that works with both commercial software and with open source software, and provides many benefits including reduced cost, time and risk.

An Interruption

The standard life cycle of a typical software development project can be summarised as perception of need, systems analysis, requirements definition, design, implementation, testing, installation, maintenance. Variations on this are possible, such as prototyping and rapid application development. However all variations go through each of these stages in some form.

By interrupting the process after the requirements definition stage it is possible to short-circuit much of the rest of the process. Given the requirements it is often possible to find some existing software that provides most of the desired functionality. To do this it is necessary to have a wide appreciation of contemporary software in many fields. Target systems for re-use are often found in unexpected places.

Re-purposing existing software will usually take less time, cost and risk compared to writing new software from scratch. Provided that a software application can be found that meets most of the requirements for the new system, then adding the extra functionality will involve less time, cost and risk. If a business case can be made for developing a new software system, then a stronger business case can be made for re-purposing existing software.

Two Examples

Here are two examples from my own experience. The first was a conference billing and booking system for Warwick University, the second a database to track and gather statistics at a disability advocacy service.

Conference Billing and Booking

In the mid 1980’s Warwick University wanted to computerise its conference booking and billing system, which up until that time had been paper based. As a consultant, having analysed their requirements, I concluded that what they were looking for was very similar to a hotel management system. After a search for suitable suppliers, Innsite (now RedSky IT) were selected. Innsite had a modular suite of programmes that would do everything that Warwick required except for booking facilities such as meeting rooms and AV equipment. They were happy to write a module especially for Warwick’s needs. This solution turned out to be more cost effective for Warwick than having their own system written.

Complaints Database

Recently I was approached to fix problems with a database used to track complaints in a disability advocacy service. The database had been written in house several years previously, the developer had left and the documentation was missing. It quickly became apparent that replacing the database was going to be easier that trying to fix a database that was running under an unsupported database system.

After a workflow analysis and requirements definition for the database it became apparent that what was required was very similar to a Customer Relationship Management (CRM) database. A search on Sourceforge, the home of many open source software projects, turned up several CRM systems. The solution chosen most closely matched the requirements, was most mature and was easiest to adapt to the clients needs. The solution is based on a MySQL database with an interface written in PHP, both of which are also free software. The simplest way of providing the necessary platform to run the solution on was to install XAMPP, a single package that provides an integrated set of Apache web server, MySQL database and PHP web programming interface.

Summary

Interrupting the standard life cycle of a software development project after the requirements have been defined, to locate existing software that meets most of the desired functionality, can reduce the time, cost and risk involved in delivering a working product.

Dr Michael Baker is an IT specialist with over 30 years software and web development experience. For further details see his website: http://www.michael-baker.com