>Ok Erik,
> 3 hours and 30 pages of specifications later, I'm back from the meeting. Our sql server will be store data from nationwide. The bottome line is that we would like to be able to enter the data via the internet from about 150 sites nationwide and give them the capability to download their location specific data only if they would like (which they will).

I think your biggest decision here is VFp front-end vs. browser front end. How complex must the user interface be? Beyond the scope of HTML? If not, a browser front end might be easier to build. OTOH, if you need significant functionality in the front-end, or the server data has to live side by side with local data, a VFP front-end is the way to go. Go to www.west-wind.com and read Rick's articles about HTTP distributed apps. This will give you an idea of what is required to get the communication going. Also read up on DCOM.

>Also we would like to give them the capability to run reports (crystal reports 7.0) but that wouldn't that mean we would have to buy license for each site that will be generating a report (that could get costly which what we are trying to keep to a minimum)?

Crystal only requires a license for the stations that will create and modify reports. I think the viewer is free to distribute.

>I understand that if the reports will only be VIEWED via the internet, then we only need one license. How can we make this happen because the reports will vary depending on what the sites what to see....
>

Will the reports themselves vary, or only the dataset? If the user needs the ability to create custom report formats, the user will need the CR seat license.


>That's about it in a nutshell. Any ideas?

Sounds fun. Keep us posted.