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Is your data being held hostage?

Where do you fit in these scenarios?

I understand that your data is crucial; you need not give me access to it when you don't really know me. Give me a small sampling and I will return to you the results. When you've seen the sample data conversion work we can proceed to convert the rest while running the old system in parallel.

When you're satisfied, you can make the switch. That's as fair as I can make it; note that if you call me in several times, that peace of mind is something I expect you to pay for. Neither my time nor my skills are free; they cost a great deal to obtain. One thing I don't do is deliver the finished processing solution until payment in full or credit arrangements have been made.

Finished processing solutions can include, but are not necessarily limited to source code or executable code, SQL stored procedures, PROCS & scripts etc.; in other words, the solution which I write to move your data in a compatible format to the platform or application where you want it.

I don't distrust anybody or necessarily trust anybody; it's just good business and helps to protect us both. You might take note of just how liberal and Christian oriented my credit arrangements are by clicking on of the "Payments" buttons at the top and left of the page.

It is always my goal to price my services so you will feel that what was delivered was worth what you paid. I want my customers to be happy with my work; while I am working for you, you're the boss.

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Phone: (512) 564-0367

Email me at jmay@linuxfamily.org

Matthew 6

22 The light of the body is the eye: if therefore thine eye be single, thy whole body shall be full of light.

23 But if thine eye be evil, thy whole body shall be full of darkness. If therefore the light that is in thee be darkness, how great is that darkness!

24 ¶ No man can server two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.

Matthew 6

33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.

34 Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.

I service Windows + Linux, Solaris & some other Unix-like operating systems.

There are two situations where you need to export data. One is to convert to another database with the need to then import into the new database. With proper planning and future prudence, this should only have to be done once. Some platforms, for example QuickBooks, make this difficult by omitting export capabilities that easily import into other platforms. QuickBooks is an excellent accounting package in every other respect; I've used it myself and still recommend it but you should be aware of this shortcoming.

The second scenario is exporting of data summaries, usually for periodic reports in a format that loads in a spreadsheet. This is commonly done because the customizable report capability built into the application is lacking in some way. Either way, I can usually find a way to export your data on demand with the click of a button.

It is usually a good idea to research an application's export capabilities before committing your business records to that software. If their export features are limited, you will probably also see escalating prices and heavy handed sales tactics later when their customer base has grown.

That's a shame because a product that does the job is going to attract a large following simply because of it's merits. If a software package is very good the vendors shouldn't have to resort to such tactics. Unfortunately, once a company does resort to these underhanded plots and it gains impetus, I have never seen this philosophy change; customers become resentful.

If you're trapped in this all too common lock-in strategy I can get you out. It can get expensive, but I'll give you an estimate so you know what you're getting into. With adequate research, your conversion to another platform such as Linux will often save you more than my modest fees in licensing alone. Once you are out of their box, I feel sure someone as smart as you won't fall for the same trick again.