Thinking of getting Covus (Formscape). What do you think about it?

baldy

Member
We're considering buying Covus for our output solution. What do you guys think of it as a product? What experiences have you had of Covus/Formscape as a product, and of the company.
 
First, are you already using FormScape? If yes, then this reply is just babble. I have no direct experience yet with COVUS. Unable to yet make a convincing argument to management for it. That said, please read on...

COVUS is the 'Enterprise' suite. So unless you are looking to do 'great' things, then learn to walk with unadulterated plain FormScape v3.2. Negotiate with FormScape to include a trade-in credit to step up to COVUS when you are ready. Though FormScape will probably say no, ask them to rough-cut develop your first basic and straightforward application as part of your purchase price at no extra charge. Naturally you will have to define it to them first before either will sign that contract. Play fair; don’t ask for a super sophisticated distribution system based on the end users astrological sign and weather forecasts. Keep it simple so that you can learn from it too.

That being said, it is a very good product. Upside is very flexible and platform independent insofar as where the input is drawn. And it is fun to develop in it because you’ll produce products in less time than you might think. Downside is a steep learning curve, especially with the concept of 'bags'. It’s a good, stimulating challenge well worth the difficulty.

There are basically two main ways of dealing with input to FormScape, one is the ‘Pagebank’ and the second is the 'Bag'. Pagebanks are probably more commonly used since we mostly see reports as pages. Pagebanks fit this model. Bags are record structures not necessarily bounded by page breaks, as are Pagebanks. If using OSA or metadata processing, then you must learn Bags. Are you on One World? Yes, then you must learn Bags.

You probably will need training that will only be given at FormScape. You can learn it on your own—I did in about two weeks. Your best learning will come from learning by example. And it still is a good idea to take the first Developer class. It does a good job of covering pagebanks—that was over two years ago when I took it. Bags were glossed over. Justifiably too, since one would be in information overload by the time the class progressed to Bags. FormScape now offers a second advanced class for working JDE One World metadata and OSA. I assume that it will delve more thoroughly into bags.

On the other hand, simply paying FormScape or some other independent consultant to write one or two of your applications and then to learn by studying and maintaining that might be the better investment and defer taking the advanced class till certain it has value to you.

Dark side is that managing printers can become a problem. You see, FormScape uses the Windows Print Manager. So if those printers are not robustly defined and your LAN/WAN infrastructure is insufficient to the task, then guess what and who gets all the attention. One day you are the hero or heroine, the next the dastardly villain. As long as you are not blindsided by it and get the support to ensure the printing infrastructure is responsive, then success will be yours.
 
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