At 09:56 AM 10/2/97 -0700, Backuj wrote:
>     I am in the process of evaluating Minisoft's ODBC/32 and I have already
>evaluated MB Fosters ODBCLink.  The main reason I focused on these two is
>the ability to access my IMAGE databases with native calls.  The PC based
>tools I am using are Crystal Reports, Excel, Access, etc.  The problem I am
>having is the complexity of the IMAGE databases.  I would like to be able to
>create "views" of the data that pre-link the appropriate files and only show
>the needed fields.  Then when my "end user" uses their PC based tools they
>would use a appropriate "view" (a simplified view of the database).  I'm
>pretty sure I can do this if I defined a DBE layer for my IMAGE databases
>but I would rather not do that.  Does anybody know of another approach?
> Perhaps something at the PC level that would allow me to continue to access
>the databases natively?

<plug>
As you hopefully discovered, the ODBCLink option of DataExpress has the
ability to use "dataviews" defined in the DataExpress dictionary to do
exactly what you want.  It also provides the ability to setup "field value
security" which lets you specify various values for fields that will
further restrict access to data depending upon the user (eg. Sales_Region=6
for Fred, Sales_Region=9 for Nancy).

Of course, using our Image/SQL interface rather than our TurboImage
interface will also let you make use of dataviews defined in the DBE which
may be the best solution for your needs.

During our many years working with customers to solve their data accessing
needs, we at M.B. Foster have developed a great deal of expertise in many
of the subtleties of the problems that arise.  That seems to be one of the
important differentiators between our solutions and some of the alternative
solutions.

Of course, if you are a user of the HP Dictionary or Cognos PDL facilities,
these also provide solutions to the problem that you are asking about.
DataExpress/ODBCLink supports these solutions also!

DataExpress/ODBCLink provides you with the flexibility to solve your
problem in a variety of ways!
</plug>

The problem with solving the problem at the PC level is that you open up a
number of "challenges" relating to updating the PC's as you change your
requirements.  Having the definitions dictionary driven on the server makes
updating much simpler and also gives a better feeling of having control.


Brian Duncombe  [log in to unmask]  http://www.triolet.com
"Inside every large program is a small one struggling to get out."
          C. A. R. Hoare