Hosting filePro applications

[Lerebours, Jose]

Should fpTech offer "hosting" for filePro based applications.  
I sure will sell that.  If fpTech were to offer a package where 
I can have my application running on their end using their runtime,
I can see looking into leasing that option from them.  I don't know 
what would be the best way to work something like this but I am sure
it is workable.  Give me sshd connection to a linux server and the 
ability to configure my work environment and printers and lets talk!

Of course, do not price it as if you were selling the licenses while
keeping them.

You see, filePro lends itself for something like this very nicely.
fpTech can compile a version for XXXXXX number of users.  I will set
my environment variables to point to runtime and my application using
fp-VARS; users will be defined and placed in agreed directories with
their respective scripts pointing to and executing required scripts.

Think about it, this could be the best venue for fpTech to sell their
new products and their respective features.  Once developer feels 
comfortable with version and/or leasee asks for their own server, one
can migrate to his own server with his own license.

In the same token, for smaller organizations, the offering of a hosted
environment with the added ability to access it from any location and
not having to worry about server maintenance, could be a good selling
point and money saving for consumer but a sure money making for fpTech.

So what could this mean?

1.  fpTech gets long term commitment and increased cash flow
2.  Developers get to offer an alternative
3.  Developers get to trial versions prior to funding large sums of money
4.  filePro is more affordable to smaller companies
5.  There might be a boost in sales because of this ... I am sure many
    sales are lost to not wanting to spend the runtime money
6.  Added dependencies and closer relation between fpTech and development
    community

If you think about it, this can also be used as a development hosting as
well.  I know of hosting companies that offer developer version of hosting
where a developer can keep his application and do his/her development.  I
have my own server but given the chance, I would pay fpTech for hosting
my application.  Heck, I do not need to worry about backup, keeping up with
the server, power outages (I am in Florida, we get those here), get to have
room back and save money on AC since one less computer is generating heat.

Of course, there is the concern of fudiciality and hoping that fpTech 
employees will not make out like bandits with our code   8-)

Regards;




--
Jose Lerebours
Principal Software Engineer
Eagle Global Logistics
1801 NW 82nd Avenue
Miami, FL 33126
Voice: (305) 594-0038 Ext 7556
Fax #: (305) 593-0431
eMail: Jose.Lerebours at eaglegl.com
http://www.eaglegl.com