>>'m finding a lot interest in detailed process management, where we look, step by step, at a specific aspect of the business and look for ways to do that job faster and more accurately.

I began suggesting that as a viable future option for VFP'ers starting 5 years ago. ;-) IMHO you're smart: not easy to outsource this stuff, you can command a higher price for strong niche capability and your weekends aren't hostage to vendor intransigence. ;-)

As for the rest: seems to me that programming is going the same way as healthcare. Pharmacists stopped grinding their own meds and took on a commodity dispensing role followed by an advisory role to provide strong value in their niche. Physicians went from generalists to specialists. Even primary care practice is a specialty these days. Once this begins, the idea that tools need to be huge and wide to cover every eventuality is contrary to the inevitable trend: the essence of civilization is specialization and specialists need their own tools. Ask OBGYNs and Orthopedists whether it would be a good idea to share one toolset for everything. ;-)