Re: ADD System?
Thanks for the replies, guys, but I know about as much as you do about the platform, etc.The company won't give out details about the system to ppl like me who are trying to 'steal their business'.I know that the DB is Sybase from the little that I could get. From meeting with the company and them showing me the system, it is a command line interface (some sort of unix flavor, I think), with 'modules' that are GUI. The sheer size and the things that this system can do and does would make it a yearlong project for us to recode, and I KNOW that the Oil company would not pay for that.It wouldn't be impossible, and actually would be pretty cool, but you know how clients are, and I ain't taking this on pro-bono.It also doesn't help that almost all (they claim) oil companies use this as an 'industry standard'.They aren't going anywhere soon http://www.addsys.com/ is the company's site. But, all this is neither here nor there at this point, as we had a meeting with them today, and they are purchasing a version upgrade which will let them do exactly what I need.Right now they have a way of exporting print reports based on what they want output (customer account, del'y address, next del'y date, last pmt amount, etc etc), but not in any form that I can use, as the data is all over the place.The 'version upgrade' addresses this issue and more, so once that is purchased, I will be fine. Thanks for all your help though guys.I owe everyone on this list a beer if I ever get to one of these conferences! Ray At 09:36 PM 8/27/2004, you wrote: Yeah, me too! I googled the only thing close I found was a dead link for: http://www.addsys.com/ If this app is priced like I think it is, they could pay someone (Ray) to completely recode the app in CF, buy the box and CF for less than ADD annual maintenance costs. And the client would own the code and not be held ransom by some company that's gonna' proprietary price itself right outta' business Maybe this could be the first annual CF is better application hacking contest. Dick On Aug 27, 2004, at 6:18 PM, Eric Dawson wrote: Well you got me curious. can you send more information on the system, platforms, websites etc Do they have any addon reporting or analysis packages? [Todays Threads] [This Message] [Subscription] [Fast Unsubscribe] [User Settings] [Donations and Support]
RE: ADD System?
I've never worked with that, but I have had some experience breaking into some software that used it's own proprietary DB... What type of database does it use? Is it a file or what? In what language is the ADD program written? --Ferg _ From: Ray Champagne [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Wednesday, August 25, 2004 4:28 PM To: CF-Talk Subject: OT: ADD System? Has anyone here (maybe in a past life?) worked with this system?It is a very common program used by Oil/Propane/Natural Gas/etc delivery companies to track their customers, schedule deliveries, set prices, just about everything needed. We are working with a company that uses it, and we need to get some info out of the DB, but can't figure out how.Eventually, we would like to get the whole customer info out of the Db so that customers can check their next delivery date, pay bills, etc, but for right now we'd be happy just being able to export out some of the info in a usable format. Problem is, the ADD company has a web module that is ridiculous in price, so they will not help us try to 'beat the system' by developing our own. I know what we need to do, just don't know how to do it. So, anyone?anyone?Bueller? Longshot, I know, but this list surprises me sometimes Ray = Ray Champagne - Senior Application Developer CrystalVision Web Site Design and Internet Services 603.433.9559 www.crystalvision.org = The information contained in this transmission (including any attached files) is CONFIDENTIAL and is intended only for the person(s) named above. If you received this transmission in error, please delete it from your system and notify us immediately. If you are not an intended recipient, please note that any use or dissemination of the information contained in this transmission (including any attached files) and the copying, printing, or retransmission of that information is strictly prohibited. You can notify us by return email or by phone at 603.433.9559. Thank you. [Todays Threads] [This Message] [Subscription] [Fast Unsubscribe] [User Settings] [Donations and Support]
Re: ADD System?
I also ran across a similar system Goldbrick (or some such) totally proprietary and ridiculously expensive (the manufacturer knew their product's days were numbered and were totally milking it) Best for the client to get off a system like that ASAP! the client might just want to pay you to break the hold the vendor has on him. As to determining how to do that. 1) As ken suggested, look at the files where the data is stored (a combo character hex dump is useful) 2) If not totally encrypted, you might be able to see patterns of data and pointers that give you clues how to extract the data 3) Look at how the client inputs and maintains the data for additional clues to the structure. 4) Look at the docs for the program-- there are often hooks provided where the installer can do (limited) customization -- you might be able to impose some programming into these hooks 5) How do they backup restore the database -- you might find that the backup data is in a more accessible format 6) How have the upgraded from one version of the Add program to a newer version -- often this involves export and import you may find a more meaningful format. 7) Is there a debugging/trace/logging facility -- this could easily contain the keys to the kingdom 8) Is there a reporting facility that could be used to essentially dump the database(s) to report files. 9) if you can't do reports to files, you could even do them to hard copy and OCR read them (as a last resort) 10) What's the URL of the ADD web site -- They know their product's deficiencies and often provide forums that discuss these things, or sell add-ons (pardon the pun) to compensate for the deficiency -- They may charge an arm and a leg for a web interface, but only a few bucks for a mail-merge thingie that outputs the db into a format acceptable to Word, or something that interfaces Excel 11) Hire a hacker HTH Dick On Aug 27, 2004, at 1:58 PM, Ken Ferguson wrote: I've never worked with that, but I have had some experience breaking into some software that used it's own proprietary DB... What type of database does it use? Is it a file or what? In what language is the ADD program written? --Ferg _ From: Ray Champagne [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Wednesday, August 25, 2004 4:28 PM To: CF-Talk Subject: OT: ADD System? Has anyone here (maybe in a past life?) worked with this system? It is a very common program used by Oil/Propane/Natural Gas/etc delivery companies to track their customers, schedule deliveries, set prices, just about everything needed. We are working with a company that uses it, and we need to get some info out of the DB, but can't figure out how. Eventually, we would like to get the whole customer info out of the Db so that customers can check their next delivery date, pay bills, etc, but for right now we'd be happy just being able to export out some of the info in a usable format. Problem is, the ADD company has a web module that is ridiculous in price, so they will not help us try to 'beat the system' by developing our own. I know what we need to do, just don't know how to do it. So, anyone? anyone? Bueller? Longshot, I know, but this list surprises me sometimes Ray = Ray Champagne - Senior Application Developer CrystalVision Web Site Design and Internet Services 603.433.9559 www.crystalvision.org = The information contained in this transmission (including any attached files) is CONFIDENTIAL and is intended only for the person(s) named above. If you received this transmission in error, please delete it from your system and notify us immediately. If you are not an intended recipient, please note that any use or dissemination of the information contained in this transmission (including any attached files) and the copying, printing, or retransmission of that information is strictly prohibited. You can notify us by return email or by phone at 603.433.9559. Thank you. [Todays Threads] [This Message] [Subscription] [Fast Unsubscribe] [User Settings] [Donations and Support]
RE: ADD System?
Well you got me curious. can you send more information on the system, platforms, websites etc Do they have any addon reporting or analysis packages? Eric _ From: Dick Applebaum [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: August 27, 2004 6:51 PM To: CF-Talk Subject: Re: ADD System? I also ran across a similar system Goldbrick (or some such) totally proprietary and ridiculously expensive (the manufacturer knew their product's days were numbered and were totally milking it) Best for the client to get off a system like that ASAP! the client might just want to pay you to break the hold the vendor has on him. As to determining how to do that. 1) As ken suggested, look at the files where the data is stored (a combo character hex dump is useful) 2) If not totally encrypted, you might be able to see patterns of data and pointers that give you clues how to extract the data 3) Look at how the client inputs and maintains the data for additional clues to the structure. 4) Look at the docs for the program-- there are often hooks provided where the installer can do (limited) customization -- you might be able to impose some programming into these hooks 5) How do they backup restore the database -- you might find that the backup data is in a more accessible format 6) How have the upgraded from one version of the Add program to a newer version -- often this involves export and import you may find a more meaningful format. 7) Is there a debugging/trace/logging facility -- this could easily contain the keys to the kingdom 8) Is there a reporting facility that could be used to essentially dump the database(s) to report files. 9) if you can't do reports to files, you could even do them to hard copy and OCR read them (as a last resort) 10) What's the URL of the ADD web site -- They know their product's deficiencies and often provide forums that discuss these things, or sell add-ons (pardon the pun) to compensate for the deficiency -- They may charge an arm and a leg for a web interface, but only a few bucks for a mail-merge thingie that outputs the db into a format acceptable to Word, or something that interfaces Excel 11) Hire a hacker HTH Dick On Aug 27, 2004, at 1:58 PM, Ken Ferguson wrote: I've never worked with that, but I have had some experience breaking into some software that used it's own proprietary DB... What type of database does it use? Is it a file or what? In what language is the ADD program written? --Ferg _ From: Ray Champagne [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Wednesday, August 25, 2004 4:28 PM To: CF-Talk Subject: OT: ADD System? Has anyone here (maybe in a past life?) worked with this system?It is a very common program used by Oil/Propane/Natural Gas/etc delivery companies to track their customers, schedule deliveries, set prices, just about everything needed. We are working with a company that uses it, and we need to get some info out of the DB, but can't figure out how.Eventually, we would like to get the whole customer info out of the Db so that customers can check their next delivery date, pay bills, etc, but for right now we'd be happy just being able to export out some of the info in a usable format. Problem is, the ADD company has a web module that is ridiculous in price, so they will not help us try to 'beat the system' by developing our own. I know what we need to do, just don't know how to do it. So, anyone?anyone?Bueller? Longshot, I know, but this list surprises me sometimes Ray = Ray Champagne - Senior Application Developer CrystalVision Web Site Design and Internet Services 603.433.9559 www.crystalvision.org = The information contained in this transmission (including any attached files) is CONFIDENTIAL and is intended only for the person(s) named above. If you received this transmission in error, please delete it from your system and notify us immediately. If you are not an intended recipient, please note that any use or dissemination of the information contained in this transmission (including any attached files) and the copying, printing, or retransmission of that information is strictly prohibited. You can notify us by return email or by phone at 603.433.9559. Thank you. _ [Todays Threads] [This Message] [Subscription] [Fast Unsubscribe] [User Settings] [Donations and Support]
Re: ADD System?
Yeah, me too! I googled the only thing close I found was a dead link for: http://www.addsys.com/ If this app is priced like I think it is, they could pay someone (Ray) to completely recode the app in CF, buy the box and CF for less than ADD annual maintenance costs. And the client would own the code and not be held ransom by some company that's gonna' proprietary price itself right outta' business Maybe this could be the first annual CF is better application hacking contest. Dick On Aug 27, 2004, at 6:18 PM, Eric Dawson wrote: Well you got me curious. can you send more information on the system, platforms, websites etc Do they have any addon reporting or analysis packages? [Todays Threads] [This Message] [Subscription] [Fast Unsubscribe] [User Settings] [Donations and Support]
OT: ADD System?
Has anyone here (maybe in a past life?) worked with this system?It is a very common program used by Oil/Propane/Natural Gas/etc delivery companies to track their customers, schedule deliveries, set prices, just about everything needed. We are working with a company that uses it, and we need to get some info out of the DB, but can't figure out how.Eventually, we would like to get the whole customer info out of the Db so that customers can check their next delivery date, pay bills, etc, but for right now we'd be happy just being able to export out some of the info in a usable format. Problem is, the ADD company has a web module that is ridiculous in price, so they will not help us try to 'beat the system' by developing our own.I know what we need to do, just don't know how to do it. So, anyone?anyone?Bueller? Longshot, I know, but this list surprises me sometimes Ray = Ray Champagne - Senior Application Developer CrystalVision Web Site Design and Internet Services 603.433.9559 www.crystalvision.org = The information contained in this transmission (including any attached files) is CONFIDENTIAL and is intended only for the person(s) named above. If you received this transmission in error, please delete it from your system and notify us immediately. If you are not an intended recipient, please note that any use or dissemination of the information contained in this transmission (including any attached files) and the copying, printing, or retransmission of that information is strictly prohibited. You can notify us by return email or by phone at 603.433.9559. Thank you. [Todays Threads] [This Message] [Subscription] [Fast Unsubscribe] [User Settings] [Donations and Support]
