Re: VisualAge RPG for AS/400?

["Trevor Perry" <tperry@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Why are we still entering data into a dumb terminal in the 21st century?

I used a GUI tool to automate a green screen order entry function. Green 
screen terminals were previously used to enter orders, and the fastest clerk 
could get 80 orders a day. Now that it is automated and GUI, and he can do 
over 400 a day.

In this case, the users did not ~want~ to replace their green screen entry. 
In a short time, however, they became familiar with the new interface, and 
now they do not ~want~ to replace their GUI order entry. This was a business 
decision made by management, and they were rewarded.

So, should we allow programmers to keep using SEU and PDM because they just 
don't ~want~ to use RSE??



----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Jon Paris"
Subject: RE: VisualAge RPG for AS/400?

> >> Why does a data entry clerk need the internet or anything BUT a green
> screen, dumb terminal to enter the data???
>
> Let's assume for the moment that they _don't_ need anything else.  It is
> still irrelevant.  It is what they _want_ that matters, not what they 
> need.
> And even if the users don't want it - their management still do.  And they
> are the ones who make the decisions.
>
>
> The replacement by cruddy Windows/Oracle/nameYourPoison "solutions" of 
> large
> numbers of iSeries around the world should be enough for all of us to take
> that as a given.  I know of one case where a system that allowed a 5250
> operator to process 10 - 15 orders an hour was replaced by an Oracle based
> solution.  Even after tripling the hardware beyond the original spec for 
> the
> iSeries replacement, they could still only manage 4 - 5 orders an hour. 
> But
> they are still using it - the 5250s are gone.  Does it make sense?  No. 
> But
> nobody ever said it had to!
>
> Jon Paris
> Partner400