[Info-vax] The real problem that needs solving to grow VMS

[Dave Froble]

On 11/2/2022 6:15 PM, Bill Gunshannon wrote:
> On 11/2/22 16:25, Dave Froble wrote:
>> On 11/2/2022 3:10 PM, Bill Gunshannon wrote:
>>> On 11/2/22 14:11, Dave Froble wrote:
>>>> On 11/2/2022 1:11 PM, Dan Cross wrote:
>>>>> In article <tjrk05$qlu5$3 at dont-email.me>,
>>>>> Dave Froble  <davef at tsoft-inc.com> wrote:
>>>>>> [snip]
>>>>>> The best tool for the job is the overriding criteria.
>>>>>
>>>>> And under what circumstances is VMS the right tool
>>>>> for the job for a new installation?  I can't think
>>>>> of any.
>>>>>
>>>>>     - Dan C.
>>>>>
>>>>
>>>> You misunderstand.  The "right tool" would be the apps that the user needs.
>>>> OS doesn't matter, unless it is required for the "right tool".
>>>>
>>>
>>> You just threw gasoline on Dan's fire.  What "tool", right or otherwise
>>> is available on VMS and not on any of the more common systems?
>>>
>>> bill
>>>
>>
>> If I can mention one, does that prove my point?  Or do you need some higher
>> number?
>>
>> The Codis ERP package that small power equipment distributors all over North
>> America use runs on VMS, written mostly in Basic.
>>
>> 1) It isn't likely to be ported anywhere else.
>>
>> 2) It has no ready replacements.
>>
>> That is a tool that is vital to it's users.
>
> Unless (as is quite common here) your use of ERP is different
> from the industry use, there are dozens of alternative ERP
> packages out there.  And, before you say "but they are already
> using this one" look back at the earlier part of some of these
> threads where we talked about people dropping something they had
> used for yeas in order to go with a more modern canned package.

Software that solves specific issues for a particular vertical market many times 
will not exist in other software packages.  The list can be rather long.  Just a 
few examples:

Handling of cores
Superscession of part numbers

The lack of either of those examples is a total show stopper.

This is applications that have over 40 years of specific development for this 
particular vertical market.  Some obsolete.  Some quite recent.

The customers have looked hard for those "alternate ERP packages".  The search 
has failed.

One customer is trying a cloud solution.  Looks like they are on course for a 
future crater.

You can claim all you want about alternatives.  Doesn't mean any exist.

The most common response from potential new vendors is "we can't do that".

-- 
David Froble                       Tel: 724-529-0450
Dave Froble Enterprises, Inc.      E-Mail: davef at tsoft-inc.com
DFE Ultralights, Inc.
170 Grimplin Road
Vanderbilt, PA  15486