INCORRUPTIBLE AND EASY TO INSTALL
In SAFE Version 6.0 we will be replacing our use of TPS files for data storage with a true Client-Server, SQL-based file system. For years, SQL databases have provided the highest levels of data integrity and performance. Unfortunately, their high price and difficulty in deployment put them out of reach of any but our largest customers. But now, there are a number of players in the database market who offer very high quality SQL databases at low cost which are specfically designed to be self-installing.

The net effect of this for most of you, will be:

• Much higher performance (would you believe that some queries run over 100 times faster?) And what is even better is that many of these databases are self-tuning, which means that every time you run the same Query it will run faster.

• Almost completely incorruptible. Since there is actually no data traffic at each user's computer it is almost impossible for transactions to be damaged in any way

• Automatic data backup. Yes, SAFE 6.0 will be able to automatically backup your databases while it runs. This is independent of your regular data backups.

• Extremely easy integration with web sites, report writers, hand-held devices (remember our PDAExtensions?) and other e-commerce systems using our built-in XML interface.

AND IF YOU HAVE REMOTE OFFICES, KEEP READING! Many of you have, or will have, remote offices. As our high-end customers have found, using a SQL database which supports replication makes possible a really nifty trick: replication. This simply means that each remote office can maintain their own separate copy of SAFE (Remote Office Extensions) and the database automatically synchronizes the remote office data with your headquarters. Read that again: the synchronization occurs all by itself while you use SAFE. And in fact, it happens while each remote office and your headquarters continue to work. Day and night. No batch updates. No scripts. No file transfers to worry about. So long as you and your branch offices have a reliable DSL or cable modem connection, performance is completely transparent.

SO WHAT WILL YOU HAVE TO DO?
You will want to choose a database, of course (or have us choose one for you!). Our approach is to try to be vendor neutral which means that we will support several database systems. Your company may already have one of them, so your choice may boil down to simply what you already have installed. The major players are all very high quality and the performance differences at the level of transactions most of you work with do not favor one over another. If we feel strongly about a proper choice for your operation, we'll let you know, but if you already have a database installed you should probably use it. (For example, if you have remote offices, then you'll need a database which actively supports replication.)

(By the way, this is one reason we are insisting that you have the proper server hardware installed. None of these servers will function under Windows 98.)

BUT GEE DOC, WILL IT HURT MUCH?
Not a bit. Since we have been running a SQL version of SAFE for years, the conversion process is 100% seamless. In fact, if you converted from SAFE 5.1/TPS to SAFE 5.1/SQL today, it would be impossible to tell that you had converted at all (except for the increased performance.)

YEAH, BUT WHAT WILL ALL THIS COST?
It depends. Database makers license their products per seat, as opposed to our policy of pricing SAFE as unlimited for a single server. Now for many of you already running a Client-Server Database, the answer will be: zero. The same will be true for those of you with higher end support contracts: zero; we will cover the costs of your user licenses as part of your support. For the rest of you, there will be a per-seat license. Depending on which database you select, we will cover some, if not all your seats for you, but you may expect to pay something for all this.

THE CONTESTANTS
As we said, there are many companies now marketing SQL databases and most of them are great. We will be supporting several of them, which is to say that we have tested them in-house. Others may work, however.

THE LINUX FACTOR
As pointed out, several databases run on Linux. We strongly suggest that our larger customers consider Linux for running the SAFE database. In fact, for the past year, we have had an old 486 clunker (street value $0.39) here running Linux as a Sybase server for our accounting and I can assure you that it runs SAFE faster than many Pentium IV boxes under Windows 2000. The stability of Linux is well-known and we can easily see our larger customers running a small, cheap Linux box for SAFE which will blow the doors off of more expensive servers. Your clients will still run Windows. In fact, they won't know the difference; except that everything will appear a whole bunch peppier.

AND THAT'S ALL!
To sum it all up, SAFE Version 6.0, in concert with our new database system will provide the data performance and integrity of accounting systems which, traditionally cost over $100,000. We are proud to be able to say that with SAFE Version 6.0 we have achieved a completely industrial strength solution which is still within the budget of virtually all distributors. Combined with the most flexible architecture available, we believe that SAFE Version 6.0 will continue to enhance our leadership position in this industry.

...But wait. We haven't told you about the upcoming support for web sites in Macromedia Flash, Dreamweaver and Microsoft .NET! Well, there's always next time...

IBM SuccessLease Deals!
We are please to report that, until the end of this month, IBM SuccessLease will offer 24 month leases on all goods and services purchased from Suntower Systems for 0% interest. That is correct: no interest. Call us to make arrangements, or, you may reach SuccessLease directly at (877)-319-6513 or www.successlease.com.

Ciaran's Corner: A Couple Of Quick Tips
Quick Tip #1: "One picture is worth a thousand words." Isn't that the quote? Not a day goes by without our fax machines receiving at least one screen shot from a SAFE user. Here is the problem, people: your beautiful renderings, designed to be so crystal clear in meaning are virtually illegible when received at 200DPI black and white from the average fax machine.

Solution? Copy and Paste that same screen shot into your e-mail! You see, once you have pressed PrintScreen to get the image into the Windows Clipboard, you can just as easily paste it, in full living color, into the body of an e-mail message and send it off to us knowing full well that it will be received in all it's original clarity. (Note: you should probably have a high-speed internet connection for this as sending images does tend to create rather large messages).

Tip: Whenever SAFE 5.1 generates an error message and offers to e-mail us, it automatically copies the screen to the Windows Clipboard. All you need to do is to type <Ctrl/V> in the body of your message (or select Paste from the Edit Menu of your e-mailer).

Quick Tip #2: Want to speed up your entire network by 100% for less than $100.00? Then get a switch. I rant about this every six months or so, but it always bears repeating: The network hub you are probably now using serves up data at least half as fast as the same rated speed switch. I don't have space to get into the gory details now, but the price of 8-port network switches is now below $100.00 (we have a couple of models for around $75.00). These devices are completely plug and play (if it takes longer than one minute to install, you're doing it wrong, mate). Everyone on your network will immediately notice a difference.

Til Next Time!

Ciaràn Marron
Technical Support Manager
cm@suntowersystems.com

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End of E-News From The Suntower, Volume IV #14