>>What is the name of this consulting group?
>
>GARTNER GROUP, INC.
>Their response to my customer's inquiry has been written by :
> Brent C. Williams, Research Director
> Application Development & management Strategies (ADM)
> Gartner Group, Inc.
>
>>Is this consulting group a competitor of Microsoft related to
>>a database package?
>
>I wish I had that knowledge ! A proven relation of this kind
>would put an end to this nonsense.

If you look at things the Gartner Group has said regarding the future of software products, you'll find that they are wrong more than they are right. The most recent statement from Microsoft on the future of FoxPro (Oct, 1996) was a direct reply to a Gartner Group prediction on the future of FoxPro. (Available at www.microsoft.com/vfoxpro). You might also want to spend the $20 for the video that is discussed on the web page. It has footage from a Microsoft VP stating flat out that VFP has a huge future at Microsoft and is a strategic product for them.

The other approach to take is one that not many people talk about. Tell your client, "VFP has a long a bright future. I'm betting my entire business on it".

Good luck,

Craig