Difference between Extender and VBA Modifier

[jymm]

ok - the place I am working now has a 'partner' that is anything but... and they can not explain why we should go one way or the other.

I am a .net/sql programmer, so VBA does not scare me in the least.

Question being - which is better for the company? Extender (list price $1,750) or VBA Modifier (list price $5,000). Price is not the real issue - functionality and ease of deployment is. Realisitcally all we need to do is add a few fields here or there, maybe pop one or two extra screens during shipping and that is it.

It is our renewal time and it is time to decide which to buy, but our partner can not help us decide (except they want us with the most expensive option for some reason) even though from what I have read it looks like Extender will fill the order for our needs.

Your thoughts & experiences are appreciated

 

[Luvsql]

VBA with modifier can do so much more. Extender only allows you to create new fields, link them to windows (there are many issues with POP, AP and AR fields by the way). With VBA/modifier, you can change the way that windows behave (ie changing tab sequences, making buttons check by default, modify reports that normally can't be done with just report writer) etc. Extender is meant for a company that does not have an onsite developer (ie no code required). Another thing you need to recognize is that extender is dexterity. Most of the new fields created cannot be added into Smartlist anyway (we use Extender in house).

If I knew VBA better, I'd use it instead (ie create my own sql table and use VBA code to update the table).

 

[jymm]

Thanks --- still trying to figure out which is best if all they gotta do is add a few fields to a few SOP forms, maybe add a window or two to other item fields... very vanilla changes (if you know what I mean).

what about with smartlist builder - can the new fields be added there?

do you know where the new fields that you can create with extender actually go in the DB? Custom table or with the same table/record?

 

[PTina]

If you want to do very basic things like just add extra field etc. eXtender is ok. If you want to get more complex though with calculations across screens then you will need to know sanscript coding. I think there is still a fair bit of work to be done on eXtender.

Yes you can get eXtender data added to some existing smartlist and with smartlist builder you can create your own.

eXtender creates it's own set of tables in the DB when its installed. The way they store the data however is kind of tricky. Columns are stored as rows and data is grouped into tables by type eg. all date fields are in the same table.

 

[jymm]

columns stored as rows??? what were they smoking? --- as entertaining as that sounds, I think that this one comment made the decision easier --- turned my stomache to think about combining info for these few fields into rows of data for the reporting end of things (we use crystal or views through MS Query into Word/Excel)

other reasons to turn to the dark side?

 

[PTina]

Trying to pull data directly from the tables into Crystal might be a challenge. However eXtender has the ability to create views from the windows without worrying about how the data is stored.

Like I said it's when you want to get more complex, that it becomes challenging. I wouldn't write it off though; especially for non-programmers who want to do basic stuff like add extra fields etc . The basic features are pretty easy to use and it can be printed on GP reports & on smartlists.

 

[klewis10367]

Have you looked into the Enterpise Edition of Extender? This is not offered by Microsoft. The one microsoft is offering does nothing worth while but the Enterprise edition is very robust and can probably do what you are trying to do. The is a demo version available from the original vendor (which the name escapes me)

 

[winthropdc]

eOne Integrated Business Solutions (

http://www.eonesolutions.com.au/)

are the original developer of Extender and Smartlist Builder.

They have an eXtender Enterprise product which has the ability to create completely new windows and vertical applications.

However, all versions of Extender cannot directly modify a Great Plains window. Only Modifier with VBA or Dexterity can do this.

VBA can also be used to modify behaviour of Great Plains at the user interface level.

Dexterity can modify behaviour at all levels as it can also trigger on internal functions, procedures and database events as well as the user interface events offered by VBA.

As for the Extender tables, they work a little like the VBA DUOS except that the DUOS is only of string datatype. There is one table for each datatype and so a window with 10 fields will actually be stored in 10 records in the tables.

David Musgrave [MSFT]
Senior Development Consultant
Escalation Engineer
MBS Support - Asia Pacific

Microsoft Business Solutions

http://www.microsoft.com/BusinessSolutions

Any views contained within are my personal views and
not necessarily Microsoft Business Solutions policy.
This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties,
and confers no rights.