Next version of RMS?

Question

Does anyone know if Microsoft plans to bring out a new version of RMS? RMS feels like a 10 year old product (Windows 95 era). I can't think of one Microsoft program that I've used in the last 3 or 4 years that isn't in the XP format/style. Programs made for XP, just seem to me to be so much better (nicer to use, faster, more reliable, more stable) Since RMS is still in the older style (Win95), do you think this could be a sign that microsoft doesn't plan to continue developing it, ie. discontinued.

Cheers

Mark · Accepted Answer

I don't know what they plan to do, but the fact that they offered such a special deal on maintenance last November to me means they are not going to be doing any major changes to RMS for some time now and they know how frustrated people are with the lack of releases.  I mean look at release 1.3 it was pathetic, especially since there hadn't been a release for so long.  They seem to me, to be putting their resources behind developing POS instead.  I kind of wonder if they will eventually create a headquarters version for POS and allow people the option to buy it for one store or for multiple stores.  It just doesn't really make since to me that they would continue with 2 different products, one of which they are basically ignoring."jetspeed" wrote:

RSB · Answer

RMS is designed primarily for POS, 'XP Style' is irrelevant. Yes, it could look prettier, but I don't think that is priority. RMS does have a future roadmap, including .net.

jetspeed · Answer

Not worried about the style, but RMS would have to be one of the most likely programs to crash windows/lock up in my experience. I've found XP to be rock solid with heaps of programs, the biggest exception being RMS It also lacks some common desirable functions, that if properly supported should have been added ages ago in my opinion.

Do you know what they have planned for the future?

Cheers

"RSB" wrote:

Kerri. · Answer

Personally I would like Micrososft to work on the HQ functionality - however it will be too late for us as we have had to move our PO and receiving to Great Plains. The PO and item maintenance procedures have too many mouse clicks and screen changes - so for a business with a large number of unique items it is just not efficient. Also to be able to input new items and to have to receive a PO at store level but not be able to update the new items, landed costs, nor any costs back up to HQ level does not make sense. The fact that there is no facility for inputting a supplier invoice number when receiving against a PO seems strange. The HQ functionality is lacking and I wonder if thats because the fuctionality is in GP? "jetspeed" wrote:

Glenn Adams [MVP - Retail Mgmt] · Answer

There are two aspects of RMS that seem to be crash prone based on what I have seen.

One is HQ Server - it's memory management has always been sort of shaky, but this was the biggest focus of the 1.3 release. I don't think that 1.3 has been in the field long enough to know it it has fully corrected those memory issues, but performance and stability of HQ communications were definately the priority for that release.

The other is hardware. Most XP computers don't have OPOS devices connected to them, while most RMS systems do. MS might be able to do a little better in their use of devices (like claiming them on demand instead of on start-up), but the stability of the drivers is on the equipment manufacturers.

I really can't think of a single case I've seen where Store Ops crashed windows. HQ Server has been known to lock a machine up to the point that you can't reboot it without hitting the power button, but that can be managed.

The last roadmap I saw has a 'major' release about every 6 months - that's a Service Pack this summer and a 1.4 near the end of the year. What I saw did not have a RMS/POS merge, but that has to happen somewhere down the line - as of right now, it appears to be several years out.

Jeff · Answer

Mark,POS is the starter version, if you will, of the next version of RMS, just as QuickSell 2000 was the starter version of RMS. Look at the installation log folder of POS.  It plainly says RMS 2.0.You got to start somewhere, so you start simple first.  Then you add features.

Next version of RMS?

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