Hello Ken:
OK, since you asked, I will expand upon my little theory. Let me state right up front that I have no specific knowledge, everything I say below is limited to my perspective while sitting at a computer in suburban Maryland.
I think waiting until ver 6 is ready to ship doesn�t appear to be a viable option for the company. Why do I say that?
Ver 6 is a very complex undertaking and I�m sure they still have a great deal of work to complete before they�ll be ready to ship the product. Judging from past experience, we�re probably talking anywhere from 6-12 months, possibly longer since this will have to be a rock solid release if companies are going to use A5 as a front end to heavy duty back end databases
Although adding Client-Server functionality will be an incredible achievement that will hopefully open up a lucrative and entirely new market to Alpha Software, Client-Server functionality probably has very little to offer most current customers.
On the other hand, the Web Application Server [WAS] is relevant to the overwhelming majority of Alpha customers. In fact, I think it�s probably reached the point where integrating A5 with the web is a critical need for current Alpha users. Hence, the WAS is a product needed yesterday by the Alpha�s community, they cannot afford to wait much longer for that type of functionality. In my opinion, they certainly cannot wait another 6-12 months, or possibly even longer, until Ver 6 is rock solid before they ship the WAS.
In my judgment, except for the usual long list of genies that have spoiled us in ver 5, it appears as if the WAS is probably ready to ship. I�m guessing Alpha Software can release a ver 5.5 update in the near future that includes the WAS and hopefully the new and vastly improved BROWSE model that Selwyn talked about at the Alpha Conference. Once this product is on the market, I�m sure they can add new WAS Genies to version 5.5 incrementally via patches.
And let�s not forget the revenue stream that�s important to all companies, but especially Alpha Software. It could be a long time before ver 6 is ready to ship. However, coming up with an interim release, such as a ver 5.5, could produce a small, but steady stream of revenue, while Selwyn and his crack staff are working on the Client Server model.
Just my opinion,
Robert T
OK, since you asked, I will expand upon my little theory. Let me state right up front that I have no specific knowledge, everything I say below is limited to my perspective while sitting at a computer in suburban Maryland.
I think waiting until ver 6 is ready to ship doesn�t appear to be a viable option for the company. Why do I say that?
Ver 6 is a very complex undertaking and I�m sure they still have a great deal of work to complete before they�ll be ready to ship the product. Judging from past experience, we�re probably talking anywhere from 6-12 months, possibly longer since this will have to be a rock solid release if companies are going to use A5 as a front end to heavy duty back end databases
Although adding Client-Server functionality will be an incredible achievement that will hopefully open up a lucrative and entirely new market to Alpha Software, Client-Server functionality probably has very little to offer most current customers.
On the other hand, the Web Application Server [WAS] is relevant to the overwhelming majority of Alpha customers. In fact, I think it�s probably reached the point where integrating A5 with the web is a critical need for current Alpha users. Hence, the WAS is a product needed yesterday by the Alpha�s community, they cannot afford to wait much longer for that type of functionality. In my opinion, they certainly cannot wait another 6-12 months, or possibly even longer, until Ver 6 is rock solid before they ship the WAS.
In my judgment, except for the usual long list of genies that have spoiled us in ver 5, it appears as if the WAS is probably ready to ship. I�m guessing Alpha Software can release a ver 5.5 update in the near future that includes the WAS and hopefully the new and vastly improved BROWSE model that Selwyn talked about at the Alpha Conference. Once this product is on the market, I�m sure they can add new WAS Genies to version 5.5 incrementally via patches.
And let�s not forget the revenue stream that�s important to all companies, but especially Alpha Software. It could be a long time before ver 6 is ready to ship. However, coming up with an interim release, such as a ver 5.5, could produce a small, but steady stream of revenue, while Selwyn and his crack staff are working on the Client Server model.
Just my opinion,
Robert T
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