FoxPro versus Excel: comparative analysis

Excel or FoxPro.

FoxPro:

Is it worth it?

As a business manager, it is often my responsibility to decide if a certain software program is worth adding to our business' repertoire. In the case of FoxPro, one has to answer the question of whether it is worth the time and money it will cost to train staff members in its use. In my opinion, Excel is quite adequate for our needs.

On the surface, to some FoxPro might seem to be an exciting product. Perhaps in some cases it is. After all, it does allow one to customize their work by creating new objects -- in other words, by inheriting the actions of existing objects workers can create new designs custom tailored to one's particular needs. Although this may sound complicated on the surface (and for some, it is), in the right hands FoxPro can allow a company to create "custom" data-handling tools with which to improve the productivity of the business. Additionally, like other database programs and programming applications, one can use simplified wizards to produce forms, tables, as well as reports -- while still being able (should one have a capable programmer) to create a "starter program" from scratch (Fiebus, 1998).

One serious problem for some is in the program user interface. After all, in today's "Microsoft" world, having an interface vastly different from the rest of Microsoft's development tools is a serous drawback. Of course, FoxPro diehards will beg to differ -- and those who view Microsoft as a giant who swallowed FoxPro for its own dark ends will be doubly vehement on this point -- however, the simple fact is that some will be turned off by the different format -- especially when they have access to Excel.

Another point to consider is whether one really needs the so called "flexibility" of FoxPro's programming environment. In our business, we simply use a finite number of operations that are core to our operations. FoxPro's draw, many assert, is its ability to allow creation of new applications quickly. Since our data management needs are relatively stable, I doubt that we need this advantage.

The simple fact remains, our "good old" Excel is the mainstay that just seems to work for us. Using the "if it ain't broke, don't fix it," philosophy, let me go over the benefits of Excel. To be sure, there are some who imagine the different is exciting, perhaps buying into the myth that FoxPro is "serious," while Excel is a mild-mannered calculator. To those I say, think again.

In our business, the ability to turn "data into information," (which is exactly what Excel purports to do), is of paramount concern. Although our data management needs are static we still need a powerful tool to allow the processes we do require. Additionally, one of the key factors of our business environment is the team. Although FoxPro's strength in customization is striking, Excel simply allows for a simple interaction between team members and teams, themselves. I mean, sure, you could get there with FoxPro...but, why?

In order to switch programs, or even integrate one into the existing framework, there first has to be some deficiency in what we already have.

Excel Home

Product Information to analyze, communicate, and share results. We can even use XML to coordinate separate business processes. Excel 2003 can help you work better in teams, and help protect and control access to your work. In addition, you can work with industry-standard Extensible Markup Language (XML) data to make it easier to connect to business processes.

On a base level Excel allows us easy access to data, and it allows us to incorporate many different factors in our data analysis. Further, even if we wanted a more powerful tool, Excel allows us to be flexible. Specifically, Excel allows us to easily utilize customer formats, allowing us to use their XML data "in house," while we are also able to offer any spreadsheet to any customer, and be confident that they will be able to utilize that spreadsheet using their own (mainstream) application. Of course, the value of this, as far as our customers are concerned, is our ability to create and mould data processing sheets, with which they can utilize for their particular needs.

Of course, in any innovative company (as ours most definitely is), in-house security is extremely important to the health of the business. The simple fact is, when one incorporates a new application (or outright replaces the old one) there is a window of uncertainty regarding data security. Unfamiliarity breeds errors. Our Excel program, on the other hand, already allows us all of the security safeguards we require for our data and "schema." Further, our current system already allows us to actively insure that they do not distribute (or profit from) the lifeblood of company. Excel allows us to use "information rights management" tools to prevent events like copying, forwarding, or even printing spreadsheets that are sent out to the customer. In fact, Excel allows us to "allow" certain customer functions (viewing, modifying, printing, etc.), while disallowing others. Further we can (and often do) set expiration dates on our spreadsheets, allowing a "try it before you buy it" option -- something that is extremely important when dealing with new clients.