Chas’s Corner

The 'Next' Generation Software is here.  9/2002

Over the last several years we have struggled with the list of enhancements requested by our resellers and our users. It's quite a diverse list, usually punctuated with local requirements or things specific to an industry, vertical or region.

We view our role as the author of the tool set and the core application base that can be installed and run on almost any system by ordinary people. We supply the tools and standards that the local TOM partners use to add any custom changes needed by the business or site so that "You can have it your way". This is one of the truly unique features of TOM Software systems and one, which not only endears it, prolongs its life, but makes it a really good investment in these times of disposable software and computer systems.

Our task then, is how do we add features and enhancements that don't require massive reworks and allow smooth and easy upgrade paths? First, we have to carefully pick our projects. Our standard accounting is rock solid and auditable, which seems somewhat out of fashion these days. We don't want to mess with it too much, but there are some things we could add that new computer power lets us do. There is also the evolution of the desktop operating systems and of course, The Internet. How does all that affect us?

The Internet

Lets start with the Internet. Most companies have access to it now and use it mostly for browsing and e-mail. Most of us now realize that we can't sell our traditional wares over it as we are constantly told in numerous un-solicited messages, but there are ways we can use it. You might recall in my last Chas's Corner, I wrote about virtual offices. We've accomplished that, although we still have a traditional office, but most of us are only actually there part of the time. We work primarily from our home offices, connected via The Internet to our main office computers and phone switches (really just another computer).

The type of lower level development language that we use to run our TOM Systems is called a Client/Server model. That means that only a thin (meaning very small and simple) client resides and runs on our desktop machines. This communicates keystrokes, mouse movements, sounds and images back and forth from a server somewhere. The server does all the work, thinking, getting and saving records, printing, etc.

Since the same server does this for all the users, no matter where they are, they are all now part of a virtual system with just one copy of programs and data. This is an automatic feature of the language and doesn't require any expensive and flaky tricks to make happen. It only needs an Internet connection at each end, however that might happen. Dialup, DSL, cable modems, T1's; any of these can work together and mix and match without any special extra effort.

Branch offices no longer need duplicate copies of the software run at the "home" office and no longer need nightly updates and syncing of data. They no longer need expensive local servers that need special care. Everyone uses the "live" data all the time, running from ordinary desktop class machines running Windows. Not doing that now? Why not?

Windows

Did I say Windows? Most TOM users are using Windows PC's now on their desktops. Still, many sites, particularly industrial distribution sites, commonly use serial or "dumb" terminals. These don't run Windows or anything else other than the TOM system. You may not know it, but all TOM systems released over the past five years are true Windows products requiring '32 bit' version  operating systems to run on. These still, however, will run on "dumb" terminals attached to Unix or Linux servers that, at the same time, will support Windows workstations.

Our software has always continued to display information in the traditional fast text fashion. The biggest request that we've had for change has been to change that text based display into the new Windows Graphical User Interface or GUI. The caveat was, however, don't make me get rid of my non-Windows terminals and don't make me get rid of all my custom code and don't make it hard to learn and I still want all my old code to work the same way in Windows as it does in text and I'd really like to have just one set of programs and designs for everything. Well, that was quite a task, but we said: "OK, we're clever programmers, we'll do it." And we did. 

The FourD Release 4.x for Windows is now available after years of work and we claim all those requirements are met. See it in the demo section. If you don't have the client/server software already, download the client and try that too. What you're running in the demo is the real live system, not a demo sample. See your TOM partner about upgrades.

Drill Downs "But, that's not all!"

....As they say on the Ronco infomercials. We've been busy with application enhancements too. We made a few fun changes in the General Ledger to allow true 13 period accounting and to allow you to keep subsidiary modules open for two months instead of just one extra. We've added drill down (or up) capability so you can track a transaction from the GL back to it's source document just by looking at inquiries and clicking on the data. Sadly, this does take some modification to existing systems, but the new tools help a lot.

Batch Posting, You've been asking for this for a while.

The new release of TOM's System 7 applications have added batch posting logic to the standard systems. This means that an individual can post his or her own data without interfering or interrupting anyone else's work. Multiple users can enter data and post it in the same module at the same time without disturbing each other or causing a system wide lockout while the post goes on. No more, "get off the system so I can post." All these are available now in the new release of System 7 as well as the new Windows GUI. TOM Partners can add most of these features to existing systems or upgrades to the complete new system are practical solutions. See them on the web or invite your TOM partner to show them to you.