>to do some PACKing of tables, but the system does not currently re-launch the server process.
>I know how to launch the process locally, but I am unfamiliar with NT and don't know how to do it remotely.
>Obviouly, this kind general facility is quite dangerous, but we can acquire Administrator status for this action for the proper authority.

You'll probably end up creating a second program to run on the server as a service with admin rights. It could be a simple as a timer that checks every 5 minutes to see if the VFP program is running. It might then allow 30 minutes (or more) to elapse while the VFP program is not running, then start it back up.
It could also be as complicated as an object that communicates with the clients to know when to down the app, for how long, and when to restart it.

I prefer the KISS method where applicable