18215PER@MSU.BITNET (05/12/89)
Our college is looking into acquiring the Focus DBMS and 4GL from Information Builders Incorporated for our PCs and IBM 9370. We would appreciate any feedback from anyone who has used Focus either solely or as a front end to other databases. Thanks, Phil Rieke
michael@ddsw1.MCS.COM (Michael Duebner) (05/15/89)
In article <7418215PER@MSU> 18215PER@MSU.BITNET writes: >Our college is looking into acquiring the Focus DBMS and 4GL from >Information Builders Incorporated for our PCs and IBM 9370. We would >appreciate any feedback from anyone who has used Focus either solely >or as a front end to other databases. > >Thanks, >Phil Rieke We have been using FOCUS on a VAX for over 18 months. It servers as an application development environment as well as a report writer for databases that are maintained by other application software products. Two major applications were developed completely within FOCUS. One is used by our technical hotline support staff to manage and track daily phone calls. The other processes membership applications for the association. Of course the usual splendor of mailing label generation as well as UPS shippment manifesting is part of the lineup. FOCUS takes a bit of getting used to, but once you stopped yourself from hitting return to move from field to field, FOCUS uses the 'tab' key for that, its pretty smooth sailing. Included in the package are a Window generator for pop-up menus, prompts, etc.; a database description generator (filetalk), a window driven report writer (tabletalk) as well as a program editor (ted) with a built in screen painter. Multi-user access to a database is handled through a server. Requests for information are made to the server, you simply check a variable after writing the information to see if what you had was current. All versions of FOCUS, regardless of the O/S operate the same. This makes it easy to develope software on the PC and then send it up to the mainframe. FOCUS has an internal mechanism for allowing the user/programmer to download databases, or portions of to the PC from the mainframe. Its all pretty transparent. IBI (Information Builders, Inc.) has training classes available for every level of user. We have sent high level management to the report writer classes and they are now running they own ad-hock queries. As the resident prog I have had occasion to use their helpline and hotline support. Those people are not afraid to spend some time researching your problem and getting you out of a jam when things don't work as expected. I am in no way connected with IBI and this is not a paid plug. The product simply works and their support is outstanding. Upgrades have been every 6 months in the past and are always substantial. If you are planning on a distributed environement with PCs and a mainframe or mini, its worth checking out. Michael Duebner UUCP : michael@ddsw1.MCS.COM Tech Svc, Buffalo Grove, IL 312/541-6550