>>> The dlls and exe file are a few meg in size and are nothing compared to the hundreds of megabytes of data they pull out of our systems.<<
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>That is one of the reasons we always use SQL Server as the data store..

Our apps dont need SQL either. Most of the data is for reading and analysis on the local w/s, either in our apps or in MS Office apps. Performance is simply awesome. I think each app has its specific requirements and best solutions. When you are accessing a 100+ mg file the exe and dll size are not an issue. The data is accessed and cached locally. Fast networks, fast workstations, no problem.