Re: as400 to WEB order entry

First I want to make it clear I work for one of those lowly software vendors 
and we have a sales order processing software, but it is also clear you're 
not looking to replace your software.  Now, that that is cleared up.

We had looked at using screen scraping technology originally to provide 
remote access to AS/400 order entry via the internet and/or other TCP/IP 
based communication protocols and decided against it for several reasons.   
The two major being the technology itself having to regen the screens etc., 
but the other and more important from our stand point is that end-users like 
push buttons, drop down lists, in general a true GUI interface.  My advice 
considering your limited time table is this, implement using the current 
technology and then follow up the implementation completion with a new 
project specifically looking at what is needed to enter an order and define 
a TCP/IP(WEB) front end that will provide what the end users really want.  
If you change your course at this point it could turn into a never ending 
project with one scope creep after another.  It would be worth while to 
treat the redesign as a separate project, that way you can begin getting 
benefits while you are attacking the issue in a more comprehensive manner.  
If you would like I would be happy to discuss in more detail with you some 
of the technologies you can look at, to accomplish this, and the 
advantages/disadvantages that we found in our research.



Bob Bergstrom
Technology Solutions Inc.
Perrysburg, OH 43551

Phone: (419)666-7190
       (888)366-8911
FAX:   (419)666-7199

email: rbergst@teksol.com
url:   http://www.teksol.com

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