Great Plains Dynamics on Pervasive/Ctree support – overview for consultant

First of all – Great Plains Software, as being independent corporation in 1990th had to stake on certain future predictions.  They decided that future should be based on these two basic principles:

• Database Independence.  Nobody could predict if Microsoft, Ingress, Oracle, IBM DB2, Btrieve, Ctree/Faircom or somebody else from newcomers will win the market.  In such a situation, if you are growing ERP publisher – you need to be flexible and have the ability to switch quickly from one DB platform to another
• Universal Graphical interface.  Some illusions were related to 1972 invented C language – now it is clear that each computer manufacturer tries to stick standards to its own platform and universal graphics is somewhat no-one uses because of the slow performance.  But it is seen now – not in 1990th

These two above principles resulted in creation of Great Plains Software development environment and language – Great Plains Dexterity.  This is history. 

Now let’s go to nowadays realities.  We see large number of so-called orphan clients (who lapsed to pay annual enhancement/maintenance fee to Microsoft Business Solutions) and still sits on two legacy platforms (not supported anymore): Pervasive SQL 2000 and Ctree (we are not talking here about Great Plains Accounting – this ERP was phased out in 2001).  We see common frustration, when something happens with performance, for example – these clients are trying to appeal to regular MBS VAR/Partner and figure out that the partner doesn’t have expertise to support this phased out platform.  We’ll give you some hints, before you call the specialist:

• Pervasive SQL had multiple service packs and you probably have multiple CDs of various Pervasive versions in your library.  Use the latest one to reload Pervasive for your workstations
• Pervasive SQL 2000 original (1999) should not be installed at all – it will not work if any service pack was applied from the server side
• Typical workstations slowdown issue is resolved by removing (on the workstations) these files: wbtrv32.dll, w32bticm.dll, and wbtr32.dll
• Expect old hardware and disk space issues – these could be monitored by IT department

Good luck with support and if you have issues or concerns – we are here to help!  If you want us to do the job - give us a call 1-630-961-5918 or 1-866-528-0577! help@albaspectrum.com