 
 
 DEVCAST4: Demonstrates an Application That Allows
 Placement of Orders in Real Time
 
 The Emerald Mercantile demo provides a Microsoft Access(R)
 version 2.0 application for customers that allows them to
 place orders for specialty foods in real time. Emerald
 benefits a lot from this approach. For example, they can
 distinguish themselves from their competitors by having a
 real-time order processing system--replacing the paper-
 based systems that most of their competitors have in place
 today. There are a number of other benefits as well.
 
 Customers can:
 
 >  Get instant feedback if certain products are in stock
 
 >  Get the status on orders they have placed
 
 >  Send mail directly to customer service representatives
 at Emerald
 
 >  Gain access to customer service phone numbers and auto-
 dialing
 
 >  Get updated information from Emerald on every connect
 
 >  Get product and order information presented graphically
 
 The ability to connect in real time is provided by the
 Microsoft(R) Windows(TM) for Workgroups version 3.11
 ability to RAS (remote access service) into a Microsoft
 Windows NT(TM) server. Windows NT and SQL Server provide
 all the security necessary to allow access to only the
 needed resources--in this case, customer records.
 
 The Microsoft DevCast Solution Roadmap document gives an
 overview of the Emerald Mercantile solution developed
 during and for the Microsoft DevCast event held March 30,
 1994. The entire life cycle of this database-centric
 application is covered, including specification, design,
 rapid prototyping, and deployment/maintenance. This
 document presents the hypothetical situation of Emerald
 Mercantile, and traces their solution development effort
 through various stages of the development cycle.
 
 To install the DEVCAST4 demos, you must have the following
 installed on your system to run the base set of files:
 
 >  Microsoft Access 2.0
 
 >  Microsoft FoxPro(R) for Windows version 2.6
 
 >  Microsoft Windows 3.x or Windows for Workgroups 3.11
 
 For more information on the demo, see the README.WRI file
 available after installation.
 
 KEYWORDS: CD8
