Internationalization of FP Application

[fp at casabellagallery.com]

Scott posted:

> 
> I'm just starting to think about internationalization of my application.
> Most of our customers/orders/ship to location stuff is in the US but
> occasionally we have to handle something outside US.  Typically Canada,
> Mexico, Latin/South America, Carribean, but occasionally somewhere else.
> Has anyone gone through this process and come up with a to-do list?
> 
> So far I have thought of a few items that I would like to ask for
> comments on (and anything else you can share).
> 
> Country Code:  Is there an official list of these (like the state codes
> in US).  Where do I get it and or is it already a part of fp edits (I
> don't think so).  Would this be well handled as an edit or are there so
> many potential country codes that it would be better handled as a fp
> file that we lookup to?
> 
> 
> Phone#:  Can we use a phone edit for international numbers or do we need
> a different or modified edit.  Or do we need a field with no edit at
> all?
> 
> 
> Zip Code: I know fp has US & Canada handled.  What are the international
> condiderations?
> 
> 
> State:    Is this a field that we just would not use for an
> international address?
> 
> 
> Any guidance would be appreciated.
> 

Scott,

I am not sure if you are ONLY concerned with mailing address
or all things possible.  If mailing address is your primary
concern, I'll say you have nothing to worry about but the integrity
of the personnel typing the information.  You just cannot have
a standardized address system for all Central American, South American
and the Caribean countries.  You will find that most of these countries
do not have a standard system themselves.  This is due to massive
development without preconceived studies or control.

That said, for addresses in these countries your best shot would be
a group of fields (free hand text) of 5 or 6 lines ...

If your concern goes beyond a mailing address, you then need to look
into LAW, Language, Currency, etc.

LAW because you will find that throughout these countries, invoices
are government controlled and often forms are sold by government agencies.
Depending on your target industry, you'll find volumes of regulations
and "red tape" procedures that must be followed or else ... Countries
such as Brazil, Guatemala, Ecuador, Bolivia, Nicaragua, Mexico, etc. all
have enough variations in how invoices are handled to drive a programmer
crazy.

Language, of course, this is a given.  It is closely attached to LAW.
Some of these countries will NOT accept an invoice as valid unless it is
fully spelled out in its native language.  I can understand that!  Can you?

Currency.  Uh, a beautiful nightmare!  As moneys and invoices exchange hands,
you need to keep track of their currencies UP/DOWN so that you can properly
report balances.  In the same token, you MUST be able to accept payment in any
currency as some companies are "International" and will gladly take anything
for as long as they get paid.  Which brings you back to LAW ... 

As you can see, it is a LOT easier to write applications for the good old USA
market where most people have plenty of business within their immediate cities
and when they billed to a foreign country, they will NOT accept anything but
$US$ and leave all the legal stuff to brokers or lawyers for hire and uncle
SAM is simply happy to collect its share and wish you well.  :)

I could go on but I do not want to scare you out of your idea.  I think it
is great that you are looking at the rest of the world as a potential market
for your application.

Good luck!


Jose Lerebours
954-559-7186
http://www.fpgroups.com