09-APR-2003 Wed 13:00 JNB DJM
Subject - Is there any 3GL program code used within the application?

There is no Third Generation Programming Language (3GL) code within the Boffin/Open application, whatsoever. All application programs/forms are written in Oracle PL/SQL using Forms 6i and all reports are written in Oracle Reports 6i. The reason why the software is using Oracle Forms and Reports 6i with an Oracle 9i database is that the application is currently running under Client/Server architecture. All database tables are created with their own specific SQL script, within which all of the required attributes of the table are addressed, index keys, size, compression, sequence numbers etc. All website programming is effected in HTML with Java applets. Bishopsgate are interested in PERL for Oracle but this has not yet been used. 01-APR-2003 Tue 09:40 JNB DJM
Subject - Modifications and improvements for users

Bishopsgate do undertake software modifications and the writing of new application programs for users. New Software is considered to be application software which did not exist at the time a new user contracted for all or any part of Boffin/Open but was recognised as being needed. Additional Software is considered to be Boffin/Open software that has been written since a new user contracted for all of part of the Boffin/Open system. In all cases, Bishopsgate retain clear and absolute ownership and Copyright of the software and the price charged reflects this. Where a user wishes to have Additional Software written and wishes to own the Copyright of that software, then this must be disclosed at the time of requesting the Additional Software. Bishopsgate retain the right to avoid decline the commission under this condition, where this would or might inhibit their own expected development. In the event that Bishopsgate agree to produce such user-copyrighted software, then the price will be significantly greater than it would otherwise be. 12-APR-2003 Sat 13:00 JNB DJM
Subject - Does the system support publishing data to the website?

Yes. Bishopsgate recommend that their users have a website, even if it is a hosted website initially. If the customer is concerned about or incapable of building the website, this is something that Bishopsgate can construct for a modest charge. Part of the website can be configured in line with Bishopsgate's standards so that the user's Boffin/Open installation can publish data to the website, making this available to the user's ebusiness partners. All of the user's data that comprises the Boffin/Open Oracle database is 'available' for automatic, realtime extraction and publishing to the website, without any involvement by the user's staff. As of to-day's date, customer statements, shipment tracking and tracing shipment lists are available. Over the next couple of months the Boffin/Open application will be capable of publsihing many more data elements and reports. A Thought, imagine publishing export groupage manifests (etc) to the website and letting the destination agent/partners download what they want, at their convenience. 01-APR-2003 Tue 09:30 JNB DJM
Subject - Availability of Boffin/Open source code

All of the Boffin/Open application software has been written by Bishopsgate or by sister companies of Bishopsgate who are all owned by the same single beneficial shareholder. Bishopsgate have access to all of the source code of the application and are the only people who have that access. No source license(s) for all of part of the Boffin/Open product have been supplied to anyone. Source licensing will be considered, where this is of interest to any user. 09-APR-2003 Wed 10:00 LON DJM
Subject - Oracle's 'Unbreakable Linux event'

Bishopsgate have been invited to take part in Oracle Corporation's 'Unbreakable Linux Event' which has just been announced in London, England to-day. Oracle Corporation feel that so much progress has been made with Linux over the last year or so, that the operating system represents a significant step forward and combined with Oracle's products will be a real success. Bishopsgate have already ported the whole of their Boffin/Open Integrated Freight System to Linux with Oracle 9i database and have this running and available for demonstration and delivery; it is FAST. 10-APR-2003 Thu 08:55 JNB DJM
Subject - Does the system support Rich and Thin clients?

Yes. Bishopsgate recommend Rich/FAT Clients, as the application programs then run within the client's processor, freeing up the server(s) and making the overall system faster for all users. There is no reason why any given installation should not support Rich and Thin Clients simultaniously. Bishopsgate look forward to implementing Oracle 9iA/S, so that remote thin clients can be supported over the Internet, using the web browser to access the application. 13-APR-2003 Sun 11:00 JNB DJM
Subject - Can the application be supplied in any other language?

Yes. All new application software is initially written with English language screen texts. All existing application programs and all new programs that become available are upgraded in a standard manner, so that they can be made to run with 'screen languages' other than English. Where the user is the first to require Boffin/Open in a new language, Bishopsgate supply the software and extracted English screen texts and the user is responsible for the transalations. The transalations are added to the Boffin/Open database and are then available for use in the application programs. Each Boffin/Open user logon is able to be annotated with the preferred screen language and this preference may be changed within a logon session; so as to make it possible to run one client Window in one language and another in another language, both working freely with the same operational and accounting data etc. Notice that a multi-language installation still only requirtes a single Boffin/Open runtime program library; not one for each supported language. In terms of the reports; these are run using HP PCL5e printer macros; within which the static text of the report is stored. These printer macros are delivered to each site as part of the initial setup and then are under the control of the user. The text within these printer macros can be edited from the default English to whatever the user desires. Users should expect an new translations to involve a competant (freight enabled) translator to effect the transaltions within perhaps 6 working days. 13-APR-2003 Sun 12:05 JNB DJM
Subject - Are all of Oracles features available in a Boffin/Open installation?

Yes, as far as Bishopsgate are aware and from the technical perspective all Oracle features are available to be used within a Boffin/Open application site. The normal Oracle content of a Boffin/Open installation is that Bishopsgate only include those Oracle software elements that are required to make the Boffin/Open installation perform fully, leaving the user free to obtain and install other Oracle features as he sees fit, either obtaining these through Bishopsgate, another Oracle partner or Oracle directly. 13-APR-2003 Sun 12:00 JNB DJM
Subject - Does Boffin/Open stop any Oracle facility being used?

No, as far as Bishopsgate are aware, none of the programming contained within the Boffin/Open application would in any way inhibit the adoption and/or use of any feature of the Oracle RDBMS and associated software tools and accessories. Although it is never totally true, Bishopsgate do think that keeping such a large system 'simple and make it work' is a good maxim, which in turn, keeps the application away from the more complex Oracle features where there might be a conflict.