Although PSI's SuperCAPES computer-aided process planning and estimating system was widely accepted as the industry standard, the company was finding that an increasing number of prospective customers were requesting Windows-based applications. As an interim measure to provide this facility in SuperCAPES, PSI opted for Soft Option, with the result that a fully functioning Windows interface was available within weeks.
PSI is typical of many software companies who developed their products before graphical user interfaces became the standard, and companies began to demand Windows software that could run on standard personal computers. The original SuperCAPES software was based in extremely sound programming and delivered clear screens for data entry. However, the only way to produce a Windows version would be to rewrite the system completely.
An alternative, which would at least provide an interim solution, was to use a proprietary package that would impose a Windows "layer" between SuperCAPES and the user. Following a lengthy investigation of possible products, PSI chose Soft Option, from Soft Option Technologies.
Soft Option, the leading GUI development tool for existing character applications, is used by OEMs, systems houses and corporate organisations throughout the world. It allows the user to add the look and feel of Windows (including 3.1, 3.11 and 95 versions) to their existing software packages without modifying the original code.
"More and more, we were finding that companies would not even consider SuperCAPES because it was not a Windows programme. We were in a position where we might potentially lose business to less well established, and certainly less effective packages simply because there was nothing in the Windows interface tickbox."PSI chose Soft Option Technologies' Quickstart programme, which gave them three days' on-site proof-of-concept and training under the supervision of a top Soft Option engineer. According to Mr Tween, before the engineer left, they had a Windows version of SuperCAPES that they could demonstrate to customers.
Dave Tween, SuperCAPES product director
Within eight months, PSI had created a fully functional Windows version of SuperCAPES and, as a result, was winning major new accounts such as deluxe motor engine specialist Cosworth and international tractor manufacturer JI Case, which signed a worldwide agreement for the software.
"Soft Option is a very powerful product: it is easy to obtain results, and you can go into increasing depth as your familiarity with it grows. We were greatly helped by the excellent support programme offered by Soft Option Technologies, which included hot-line telephone assistance and site visits where necessary."PSI's was typical of many Soft Option applications. The original SuperCAPES was written in 1971, using the Fortran programming language. Later versions were programmed in C. They were therefore starting from a conventional programming base with none of the flexibility of modern 4GLs.
Dave Tween, SuperCAPES product director
The project began by loading Soft Option onto PSI's hardware (a PC connected to a Hewlett-Packard 9000 series Unix workstation over an ethernet network) and establishing a connection between the interface builder and SuperCAPES. From this moment on, SuperCAPES was effectively running in a Windows environment.
