Internationalization of FP Application

[Don Bush]

here is a copy of  the country codes I download from the internet and 
put into filepro a few years ago.
I just zipped the entire filepro structure.


At 06:59 PM 8/23/2007, fp at casabellagallery.com wrote:
>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
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
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