

 A New Approach to Business Problems             (c)1995 by Ben M. Schorr


 When I arrived at the Warner Center Marriott in Woodland Hills for the
 Dog and Pony show that Lotus was putting on, I didn't expect to
 actually see the software that would dramatically improve the way my
 business operates. I expected to learn a little more about Windows
 databases, eat some  disgusting food and leave with a T-shirt and a
 cap...that would go into the closet with the other T-shirts and caps
 I've collected at similar events.

 I left with was a copy of Lotus Approach version 3.0, and a curiosity
 to see if it would do all the things it did in the demonstration on my
 machine. It did....and more!

 Lotus Approach 3.0 is the easiest Windows database I have seen to date.
 It allows even a relative novice to develop impressive looking forms,
 worksheets and reports, as well as create intelligent, related
 databases in a very short period of time. Macro buttons, variables and
 calculated fields are no problem. Powerful searches and semi-automated
 data entry are just a few mouse clicks away.

 Unfortunately, all of this power and ease leaves you craving more.
 After developing a simple application with Approach,  I set about on a
 more ambitious product...and I quickly discovered where the walls were.
 I make a list each day of questions to ask Tech Support on my next
 call.  Currently I call about three times a week, and each cleared
 hurdle invariably  leads me to new ones. The Lotus Tech Support is very
 good,  which is more  than I can say for the manual , which is woefully
 inadequate! Any program with this many features and capabilities needs
 more than just a smallish, only an inch and a half thick, User's Manual
 to guide you through the various funtions. This is further complicated
 by the fact that there seem to be very few third party books written
 about Approach.  Luckily I was able to find a copy of "Using Approach
 3.0  for Windows" but it took some searching.

 So here I sit, some five weeks after installing Approach, I've started
 using my new WonderApp in day-to-day use. I've almost completely
 replaced my old Personal Information Manager by creating my own phone
 book, merging my mailing list into it and creating links to parts
 lists, order screens, contact worksheets and call records. With a mouse
 click I can get a list of times the client has called me, record a new
 call, record an order or look up the person who referred them to me. I
 can check product pricing, back-order status or quickly find the tech
 support number of the vendor. There are still some rough edges to my
 new WonderApp and it doesn't have much in the way of calendaring
 capability (I still use Ecco for that), but it sure has made a big
 difference in my productivity. All in all it has condensed the tasks I
 used to do with three or four applications into a single one, giving me
 complete control over the look, feel, and operation of that
 application.

 I also love being able to quickly and easily import other database or
 mailing lists useful to me without the usual formatting headaches.

 It's made a big difference in the way I feel about my computer, as
 well. Now  that I'm managing, resorting and searching across a 10,000
 record GUI database a several  times a minute I'm finding my 486BL3X-75
 somewhat lacking. I envy my client who just installed a Pentium-90 file
 server and have been eyeing my checkbook to see if I can afford to
 boost my RAM up to 16 Megs. A SCSI hard drive/host adapter and a
 motherboard upgrade are probably waiting in the wings, and I can
 practically taste the  productivity.

 Approach has so many possibilities; my next project is to investigate
 how well it will work with Ami Pro, my word processor of choice, and
 perhaps, Lotus Organizer.

 Approach is first rate and, for me at least, a full blown success!
 Furthermore, it's starting to pay for itself. Later this week I'm
 meeting with two different clients to investigate the possibility of
 writing some custom applications for them using Approach. If all goes
 well I'll have that new Pentium by Easter!


 Ben M. Schorr is Host of the ILink  Lantastic  and Consultants
 Conferences and is a regular contributor to WindoWatch. He is
 associated with a  computer and business consultan firm located in
 Canoga Park in California.

 Ben M. Schorr
 Director of Operations
 Watson/Schorr Consulting
 21000 Osborne, #6
 Canoga Park, CA. 91304
 (818) 993-8640
 ben.schorr@bcsbbs.com


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