We did something similar - allowed the users to start 2 versions of the EXE. If the polling/updating form was open, all others were disabled and vice versa. So they could start the polling program and minimize it, then start another version for data entry.

We thought we'd have a problem with users trying to run the polling form in 2 separte EXEs and would have to split the app into 2 different EXEs, but it turned out to only be a matter of trapping a single error.

HTH
Barbara

>I developed an app that had to support user input and poll data at the same time. I broke up the functions. I ran the polling as a seperate app so it wouldn't interfere with my screen input. Just a thought. It gets pretty messy trying to poll something so often and supporting user interface input at the same time.