>If the database under VFP was as robust as MS SQL (or was MS SQL) then VFP would be a lot easier sell down the road.

That depends on who is developing the system. They're may be engineers that can deploy DOS batch files with a DOS TXT file database that are more ROBUST than a double secret, super encrypted SQL backend built by someone with a vest full of MS certification pins.

The tool does not build robust applications, the developer does.