HanDBase Runtime Builder

[Ed Hansberry]

<a href="http://www.ddhsoftware.com/runtimebuilder.html">http://www.ddhsoftware.com/runtimebuilder.html</a><br /><br />HanDBase now has a runtime builder that will allow you to create database applets and distribute them to whomever you want regardless of whether or not they have HanDBase installed on their Pocket PC.<br /><br />"The Runtime Builder solution hallmarks the world’s first and only tool for building handheld applications. This easy to use online tool transforms any HanDBase file in to a freestanding PalmOS or Pocket PC application. Developers wanting to sell their custom solution or companies interested in sharing data with customers, partners, and employees will find this solution ideal for their needs and affordable."<br /><br /><img src="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/hansberry/2004/20040216-handbaseruntime.gif" /><br /><br />The cost is $599 for the Pocket PC version. You can see how this works with their <a href="http://www.ddhsoftware.com/gallery.html?show=number&record=1943">sample runtime applet</a> or build your own <a href="http://?">trial version here</a>.<br /><br />Also, for those whose database needs just include your own device, don't forget about the <a href="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=23644">25% off discount for HanDBase Professional 3.0</a> for Pocket PC Thoughts readers. It expires February 28. The discount code <a href="http://www.ddhsoftware.com/priority.html?code=ppct04handbasepro">is here</a>.

[Glisson]

There was talk around before that that $599 gets you a runtime for one HanDbase app to become a standalone, not as many as you wish to create. Do you have any info on this? Many people would like to make this move but at $600 an app are looking elsewhere for their soloutions. And many of these people are loyal HanDbase Professional Users! Myself included.

Glisson

[dazz]

It is correct the this is going to be $600 per application and as such will not be the solution for everyone. Most developers would do better to use the development environment they know and love.

Here is a reply I wrote recently about this very topic;

The decision on how to price this solution was a particularly difficult one. We wanted to make this affordable without giving it away.

The problem we noticed was that if we allowed people to make an unlimited number of applications there would be no advantage for any of the different developers (too easy to copy someone else's designs) and would certainly eat into the sales of our flagship HanDBase application. Considering how easy it is to develop HanDBase applications, if we had made this an unlimited number of apps, we would not be able to sell many copies of HanDBase. A developer could create a TON of little databases and sell them for $1 each. We are a company, we employ people and we have to continue to make money. It is a balancing act between offering as much as possible while still making some money.

The decision was made to make this an affordable solution for corporations and certain professionals with particular needs but no technical experience.

Corporations can save significant amounts over having a development team create an application, especially once they get into second and third versions. With the runtime builder they can update at any time and VERY QUICKLY generate the new runtime. The core of the runtime will always be the latest build of the HanDBase engine.

Professional with particular experience may have an idea for create a specific application for their profession. They can create the databases and forms in HanDBase quite easily and then load to teh runtime to create the standalone app. Since they may only ever have one or two apps the savings over contracting a developer are VERY significant.

This is really not meant to be a development environment to replace Visual Studios or anything. Someone that wants to create many apps for resale will certainly want to look at other solutions.

If there need is for a specific solution and they want to create the application quickly and easily then we feel this is a viable solution.

Remeber, if you just want to create your own solutions or apps for a small group you can do so by buying HanDBase itself.

I hope this helps to clarify things.

Darren Humphries
DDH Software, Inc,