Remote Access / Screen Capture

[VFP602]

Hi guys! I'm not sure if I got the right title thread for this one. Anyway, my boss is suggesting something that can be added to our existing program. We have a POS program that needs override codes/passwords to allow a user to perform a certain task (like changing item price or editing item data). Of course, this could be simply done by a supervisor who'll key in the code and must be available any time a user needs him. But currently, since our supervisor happens to be my boss so he stays most of the time inside his office for him to do other things. So he's suggesting if there's a way that when a user needs override code, my boss can capture the user's screen and keys in the code without physically going to the user's terminal. Ok, I know I can do this using PC anywhere or any other remote access software but we can't use those cause we want the software to be integrated in our system such as we can log/track the date/time/user/reason to override. This is just like in a bank when a teller ask for an override password from an officer and the officer just access the teller screen from his own terminal and keys in the code and the teller then proceed with her transaction. I have an idea on how to implement this like having a table that keeps the form names and fields that has T/F values when a form/table is in use and some API calls. But I need more than that. I know there are better brains out there who can share their ideas on how to implement this and I will highly appreciate it. Thanks in advance.

 

[Mike Gagnon]

You could use a log file.
Here is some of the code we use in one of our application to track changes do to the data:

If FILE('\T:punch\logfile.txt')  && Does file exist
 gnFile = FOPEN('T:\punch\logfile.txt',12)     && If so, open read-write
Else
 gnFile = FCREATE('T:\punch\logfile.txt')  && If not create it
Endif
If gnFile < 0     && Check for error opening file
	Wait 'Cannot open or create output file' WINDOW NOWAIT
Else  && If no error, write to file
 Fseek(gnFile,1,2)
  =FWRITE(gnFile ,CHR(13)+CHR(10)+&quot;Logout Time:  &quot;+ttoc(datetime())+&quot; &quot;+ALLTRIM(name1)+&quot; &quot;+&quot;Access level:&quot;+alltrim(alevel)+&quot; &quot;)
Endif
=FCLOSE(gnFile )     && Close file

Create a global function that you can call anywhere you need in your application.

 

[VFP602]

Hi mgagnon! maybe, i was just too palaverous that I tend to be misunderstood. What I'm after here is that I could find an idea on how to implement remote access under VFP. What you have suggested is only about the use of a logfile and to check for the logfile if its available for writing and if it is, then save details to log file. I have my own subroutine of this kind also. I'm more after for the implementation of the above-mentioned. I appreciate your help anyway. Thanks!

 

[Mike Gagnon]

Remote access?
We use a NT4 terminal Server with Citrix Metaframe software. We have 23 users the log into the server from different parts of North America. And as an Administrator I have the possibility the "shadow" a user's session or even overide the session, by taking over the keyboard and mouse controls. Is that what you mean?

 

[VFP602]

yes it is! but i want to get the idea of implementing remote access under VFP cause we want it to be integrated in our system.

 

[Mike Gagnon]

You want to create a remote access client in VFP? Like Citrix Metaframe Client? I'm not sure VFP being mainly a relational database program is equiped to do that.