Hi Tom,

We do have in our contracts, disclamers concerning the networking. It would be great if we could afford to walk away from these small shops but we need to eat too. Our large verticle market app sells for $120K and has a long sales cycle. That is too much of a roller coaster for us so we are trying to fill in the gaps with many more less expensive apps and the networking environment is tougher.

So far we have been fortnate enough to have the clients at least upgrade their work stations and have consistent OS. But the next step to a real server with NOS is a tougher nut.

BTW, I saw another of your posts... I am also 61 also married 38 years. We are becoming rare!

Ken

>Ken;
>
>There are restrictions using a peer-to-peer network that must be observed. One dependency is the operating system that is used. Ed Rauh had stated the limitations in previous threads.
>
>Try this link and search for others:
>
>http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/p2p/overview.asp
>
>I have two peer-to-peer customers who have two computers used at point of sale and one as a server. It works but trying to increase the number of users can be a problem.
>
>My experience is that most mom and pop operations cannot afford a true-networked computer system. In my contracts I specify what operating system, network cards, computers and any other variables that exist. You must define the expectations and limitations up front.
>
>We can write the best application for a client but with an improperly designed system chances are it will not be a success. Do not risk the value of your professional reputation to attempt to make a small system work, unless it is well designed. As my mother says, “You cannot make a silk purse out of a sows ear”!
>
>Tom
>
>
>>Hi,
>>
>>We have been in the custom app development business (primarily FP and VFP) for 14 years. During the first 13 years, our client base consisted of medium size companies ($50-$500 million in sales), and it was easy to insist that they have a "real" network including a real NOS.
>>
>>More recently, our client base is shifting towards small and very small businesses. We have a POS/Inventory Control app with fully integrated accounting that is attractive to these small businesses BUT...... it is becoming more difficult to insist that they have a "real" network. Most of them balk at the price, especially when they have been a 'Quickbooks and Excel' type of operation from their inception.
>>
>>In some cases we have agreed to a 'Peer to Peer' network with the stipulation that one of the work stations is "server only" and not to be used as a WS.
>>
>>I would like to hear how others who are in the Mom $ Pop market deal with this issue.
>>
>>Thanks,
>>
>>Ken