I'm working on a VFP application that runs on a PC at a remote location. Periodically, it must dial up headquarters via a satellite phone and send in the data it has collected. I have written a batch job scheduler that runs VFP code on a predetermined schedule, and I can create the compressed data file to send. My initial idea was to use MS Outlook to manage the dialup connection and send the data, but I've run into a problem with that approach. Using OLE Automation I can create an e-mail message with the data attached and put it in Outlook's outbox, but I cannot get Outlook to send the message. I can configure Outlook to send/receive messages every X minutes, but that is not an acceptable solution. I need the ability to send at definite prescribed times. So it looks like my application has to make the dialup connection and send the e-mail. I know how to send e-mail via SMTP when there is a persistent internet connection, but I don't know how to handle a dialup connection.

Can anyone point me in the right direction to find a description of the process or sample code? I guess the following issues need to be addressed:

* how to use the default Windows dialup connection settings
* how to make the connection (dial the remote PC)
* how to create an e-mail message to send
* how to send the message once the connection is made
* how to terminate the connection once the message is sent
* how to recognize and handle failure to make the connection
* how to recognize and handle premature termination of the connection

Thanks for you help!

---T. Lamm