SBT PRO 5.0 AND WINDOWS 2008 R2 SERVER

[titoneon]

Hi all,
Maybe this sound stupid but the company wants to continue using this old software wich in fact had been customized a little to service our purposes and that is why they have not upgrade to newer versions, so right now our settings are

1- clients workstations: win xp pro couples of win 98 and win 7 pro 32 and 64bit
2- our server that has all the programs, dbf file, indexes files, reports and so on in a win nt 4.0 server spk6

Ok, i would like to replace the Old Nt server to Win 2008r2 64bit server , i would like to know if i can copy from Nt 4.0 server to the new Win 2008 r2 server everything related with sbt ?
questions:

A- will i be able to run sbt pro 5.0 from each workstation once had been copied to the Win 2008 r2 64bit server ?

B- If so can anyone details if i have to do anyhting extra besides mappings and sharing the pro50 folder ?
Thanks
Ernesto

 

[fitedgar]

We use SBT 3.2i Windows.

Everything should well as before. Users should have full access to the shared drive.
I have not had luck workstations using OS systems other than XP PRO. We get index corruptions all the time.
Certain cases, users must have admin rights to the workstation.

Edgar

 

[mandaragit]

Hi titoneon...

We actually have the same version of SBT system, the SBT ProSeries 5.0i. This is the history of our network...
2003 upgraded the ff.
SERVER: from win nt 4.0 to windows 2000 server
WORSTATIONS: from win98 to windows 2000 prfessional

2010 updated to...
SERVER: from windows 2000 server to windows 2008 r2 bit64 server
WORSTATIONS: windows 2000 professional to windows xp(for dual core and above) and maintain windows 2000 prof for low-end pc.

But in these upgrade, we do not encounter problem/s with respect to the operation of our SBT version.

here's few step that you should do...

1. copy the existing folder of your sbt engine and the databases from your win nt to windows 2008 r2 server.
2. do the usual file sharing the same practice as how you do share the folder in your old nt server.(server side)
3. in workstation, do the usual mapping procedure same as how you do it before in your windows 98 or higher OS.
4. SBT uses a library file before it run. If this is the first time(assuming that this pc is a newly formatted/install OS), consider installing SBT system in the workstation using the SBT Installer. If you are ask to input the activation key/product key, ignore it.
5. SBT is now really to use...

Note: Initial installation of SBT before asking the activation key, already copy that important library in your windows that makes sbt old setup(your server shared folder of sbt engine) work on the next access. activation is not required at this time because you already activated already. Please dont forget to backup your file so that you restore it in case you can't follow the steps.

hope it helps.


FarEast...

 

[titoneon]

Hi mandaragit and Edgar,
Thanks a lot for replying but i have a couple questions
1- i need to know where these files Vfp5enu.dll, Vfp500.dll, vfpodbc.dll and Vfpole50.dll should be copy in Windows 2008r2 server, in what folder ? example windows\system32 or windows\syswow64 ?
2- do i need to map a drive letter on this server itself to point to folder "PRO50" wich is the root folder where all the rest of the folder are ?

3- is anyone of you running any application built in foxpro dos ? if so can i install(i meant copy) the whole FOXPRO dos enviroment, prg files, cdx and dbf files in this new OS ? and of course i know these files will run from each workstation but they will need to resides in this new server OS cause the users run those foxpro dos application from the server cause is needed there to be share, is this possible in Win 2008 ?

note: respect to question #2, the reason i say that is cause in WIN nt 4.0 server, we need in the server itself to map a letter to that folder PRO50 ,as well as we map later on each workstation to point to the share folder PRO50, please correct me i am wrong.

and so many thanks in advance for your help
Ernesto

 

[mandaragit]

Hi Ernesto-Titoneon...

#1. These files "Vfp5enu.dll, Vfp500.dll, vfpodbc.dll and Vfpole50.dll" are save in your local windows system files (ex windows\system32). But for your convenient, it is recommended to use your SBT installer to have it automatically update your windows system files as explain earlier. (Install sbt in the workstation using either a client of full installation... and when prompted to enter the serial # and product activation code, you can cancel it. you dont need to re-enter that info, since you are already running sbt using your current directory...)

You dont need to update or copy these files in your server UNLESS you intended to RUN SBT in your win2008 server, well, is just your choice. So the point is that, you will only need to update a windows system files in the computer that requires execution of SBT System.

#2. Yes, you need to map it THE SAME SPEC or NETWORK DRIVE LETTER or the way you map your SBT prior to migration of the Win2008 server. This is because your SBT setup has been configured to that drive(old drive, say, Q:\). You can reassign it anyway (the different network drive) but it requires a lot of setup w/c might ruin your SBT application if you are not yet familiar to this setup, that's why I do not recommend this action.

#3. Yes, you can copy(for vfp5, fpw26 for windows and other early version of foxpro). if not running, better state your foxpro version. There are some programs(created in lower version) that hide some setup and variables. Most of them are loaded in autoexec.bat and config.sys or other batch file(requires himem, stocks and others). With our setup, we have a customized reporting system of SBT System due to limited standard report that SBT have. I developed it using the vfp7 or 9. But just be careful of using this higher version. Just make it sure to open the database file that still supported early version of foxpro (this will prompt anyway for the very first time to try to open dbf of foxpro (old)to higher foxpro version) otherwise, you cant open the database anymore. Though there are still solution, but need a utility program to restore the file setting.

#remarks on your note:
You are correct. As I said, your SBT file has been configure to read that drive and it is true that you need to map the same drive letter to all workstations member of SBT network. You dont have to alter it(the setup), otherwise, you cant execute SBT anymore... Although you can access it again but it requires you to be well oriented on file setting(engine and database) same as what I did before things work good...

Proud that you are still using this FoxPro application. This language is so far tested as a good language for the long period of time. Other programmer said that it is slow. But the fact is that, the low speed of their FoxPro program is not caused by the language but depend on how the code their programs. Our company is using this SBT since 1999 until today, but we never encounter that slow processing issue. We are average w/ respect to volume of recording per day. Today, our GL file reaches more than 800thousand records (this is just one file) or a total of almost 3GB bytes(database only), but our sbt program is still good and fast.

hope this help.


FarEast...

 

[titoneon]

Hi mandaragit,
Thanks a lot for getting back to me, i will follow your guide, i hope everything can go fine, wish you happy holidays to you and the rest of the people here, one more time THANKS.
Ernesto North Florida USA

 

[mandaragit]

Hi Ernesto,

Thank you for the advance greetings and we look forward that you can smoothly run your SBT application under new server version soon. If you have still issue/s on SBT, just state the nature of the problem again. I know that there are a lot of good people in SBT community around the world that willing to help you or us.

From all of us here, please extend our warmest greetings to all of you an advance happy holiday...

God bless you...

Jun,
Philippines

FarEast...

 

[mlefkowitz]

SBT Pro 5.0 lives on a server that is a simple shared store. You need not install any of SBT on the server, just copy. Best to give this folder a name that does not have any embedded blanks.

Next, map this folder to all of the workstations with the same drive letter used for the old server. All workstations must have the exact same path. If you do not do this, the workstations that are mapped differently will not be able to run SBT without an error.

For the workstations, we have had no problems with XP, Vista and Win7 running SBT Pro 5.0. No experience yet with Win8.

When new workstations are added, run the workstation setup program found on your SBT Pro 5.0 CD (assuming you still have it). Run the SETUP program on the CD and, when asked, select workstation install. This will install and register the necessary Foxpro DLLs and create shortcuts. If you do not have the CD, I can get you the contents. Copy to your server so that it is available for future WS installations.

SBT Pro 5.0 continues to run well into its third decade of life. I have over a dozen Pro 5.0 clients running it with no intentions of changing any time soon. As most of you say, the source code is the key thing. Most of you have customized Pro 5.0 for your businesses.

Matthew Lefkowitz
Lefkowitz Systems, Inc.

http://www.lefkowitzsys.com

 

[SBTBILL]

Your probably running VFP 5.0 as well. That requires you to run in an XP window in 64 bit operating system. If you can get a copy of VFP 9 the code should still run and you will get a longer life. Also check to make sure you have PRG's and SCX's

 

[titoneon]

Hey guys,
You all, are the best and friendly people, i wish in my work enviroment i can have people like you always willing to help, thanks to all of you and i meant all of you, God Bless all us.
Ok SBTBILL, yes i have VFP 5.0 installed and i do some programing to get data from tables and create forms and report that SBT 5.0 does not offer so what you are saying is better to install a vfp 9.0 and use it for creating additionals pjx, prg and so on ? but if open a table or add, modify an SBT5.0 table then SBT 5.0 will have problem open or using the modified table by vfp 9.0 ? isn't, please sorry i don't get why are you saying to move to VFP 9.0, I mean i would like to but i need to know, if this is for the purpose of converting the whole SBT 5.0 running after modified by VFP 9.0 ? Can you clarify me, sorry i don't get it.
Thanks a lot in advance
Ernesto

 

[mlefkowitz]

Yes, if you open Fox 5.0 tables in VFP 9.0, you run the risk of making the Fox 5.0 tables unreadable and SBT will stop working.

Foxpro 5.0 is a 32-bit application. If your new workstations can run in XP mode (32-bit), your Foxpro 5.0 will work just fine.

VFP 9.0 is also 32-bit. The only advantage in going to VFP 9.0 is the added features in VFP 9.0, which are considerable.

Matthew Lefkowitz
Lefkowitz Systems, Inc.

http://www.lefkowitzsys.com

 

[titoneon]

Hi Matthew Lefkowitz,
Thanks for the answer.
1- ok so if i keep the structure of the table to be compatible with VFP 5.0 or modified and save it as vfp 5.0 dbf it is not a problem, i hope that VFP 9.0 will allow me to save tables as vfp5.0 dbf right ?

2- as another question not related with the above, here is what i would like to do
i have a file wich is document created in microsoft word 2003, i need to email the same word document to different vendors but in that document i need to add(insert) in a particular location of the document the vendor name, then be able to email that to that vendor, i guess you will tell me if you have a table with the vendor name and email address you can create a prg file and run that, yes i know i have to do this, my concern is since i have not done anything like this before, is how can i call the document in a vfp 5.0 prg file, then insert the vendor name in that document and then email it to that vendor email account and do this for each vendor name from the table where the vendor name resides, i guess in that word document i will need to have some kind of variable or macro to fill the vendor name in, that will come from the vendor table, but if you can maybe give some advise on how, i will apreciate it.

Here is how the document looks and what i need to fill is in the "Present To:"

I don't care if cannot put the Present to(vendor name field date) on top of the line it could be below.

Begining
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
2013 Florida Annual Resale Certificate for Sales Tax
THIS CERTIFICATE EXPIRES ON DECEMBER 31, 2013


Business Name and Location Address Certificate Number
16-8012387344-9
APEX COMPANY
3050 NE 15TH TER
OAKLAND PARK FL 33336-4403


This is to certify that all tangible personal property purchased or rented, real property rented, or services purchased by the above business are being
purchased or rented for one of the following purposes:

• Resale as tangible personal property. • Re-rental as real property.
• Re-rental as tangible personal property.• Incorporation as a material, ingredient, or

• Resale of services.

• Incorporation into and sale as part of the repair of component part of tangible personal property tangible personal property by a repair dealer. that is being produced for sale by manufacturing,
• Re-rental as transient rental property. compounding, or processing.

This certificate cannot be reassigned or transferred. This certificate can only be used by the active registered dealer or its authorized employees.
Misuse of this Annual Resale Certificate will subject the user to penalties as provided by law. Use signed photocopy for resale purposes.


Presented to: __________________________________________________________
(Insert name of seller on photocopy) (date)

Presented by: _______________________________________________________
Authorized Signature (Purchaser) (date)

------------------------------------------------------------
end of document

Note: Hope you can help me out here

Thanks
Ernesto

 

[titoneon]

Sorry i made a mistake here
I don't care if cannot put the Present to(vendor name field date) on top of the line it could be below.
instead of field date should be field data.

 

[mlefkowitz]

This is tricky and probably not possible in VFP 5.0. Windows Automation was added to Foxpro in the 6.0 version. The syntax that you would need to take vendor information, merge it into a Word doc and email the Word doc cannot be done in VFP 5.0.

So, how about this: Write a simple program in SBT that exports the vendors who need to get this document to a stand-alone DBF table. Put this program on the Custom menu. It's basically a vendor list report that 'prints' the report to a data table or a CSV or an Excel file.

Next, in VFP 9.0, write a stand-alone program to merge each vendor from our exported vendor file into a Word doc template, save the merged Word doc with a unique name for each vendor and launch an email from this program (using Windows automation in VFP 9.0) with the merged document attached. The program will get the email address from the exported table. The program will stuff the emails into your Outlook program.



Matthew Lefkowitz
Lefkowitz Systems, Inc.

http://www.lefkowitzsys.com

 

[titoneon]

Hi Matthew,
I have VFP 6.0(but i have not installed it), I don't have VFP 9.0, so i guess i can use VFP 6.0

1-Ok, there is a couple things that i don't understand this -> "Put this program on the Custom menu" WHAT custom menu, where?
2- write a stand-alone program to merge each vendor from our exported vendor file into a Word doc template, save the merged Word doc with a unique name for each vendor and launch an email from this program (using Windows automation in VFP 9.0) can i do this in VFP 6.0, or you recommend another route now that i have VFP 6.0 ?, Ok so for each merge of a vendor name and the respective email adddress, i will have to save the word document with a unique name ? if so then how do i relocate in that document the vendor name in the position i told you ? the vendor name need to be positioned or inserted under the Presented To: ________________ (ie) Dayton Granger company

3- how then i do this part -> and launch an email from this program (using Windows automation in VFP 9.0 or VFP 6.0) with the merged document attached.

Sorry for asking but your idea is good, just that i need some little help here to accomplish it, maybe cause i already have VFP 6.0 you have a better and easy approach, instead of the above ?
Thanks
Ernesto

 

[mlefkowitz]

Your SBT Pro 5.0 has a Custom menu pad. You can put your custom programs on this pad. There are ten slots or menu bars so you can have up to ten custom programs. You set these up in System Manager under Maintain -> Setup -> System Installation. Click the "Custom" button to see the ten slots. Or you can set them up user by user in Maintain -> Users. Pick your user and click "Custom." This is where you would put a custom program if you had one.

For the merge program in VFP 6 (or 7 or 8 or 9), you will need to find a Foxpro programmer to write it. The program will do the merge and save each merged file with a unique file name and launch an email with the file attached all automatically if it is written well. The program will do all of the work when you run it. This is a real programming job. You will need to find and hire a professional to do it.



Matthew Lefkowitz
Lefkowitz Systems, Inc.

http://www.lefkowitzsys.com