I have an OLD VB5.0 app that my companies ex employee has written, But im haveing trouble understanding the Code a little as im a vb script kind of guy for SCADA systems.
Question
Does it make sence to try to upconvert this old code to .net or better or should i try to Start from Scratch?
Explanitation of project.
the applications i have control our companies paint line for serial production to BMW. The Paint line ahs 255 pallets that move around to dirrerent zones for different processes. Each pallet can have different jigs(Holders for different parts). This data travels via rfid tags to each process via Control Logix PLC. the production Demand is manually entered into the program named batch and sent to an Access db. when a certain condition occures(Auto from PLC or Operator Entry) this data is transfered to the PLC via OPC. At the end of the process we have robots with Color Validations tool on them that take pictures of the color spectrum and pass or fail the parts based on the Results of the test. If the test is good we get a white label for the part, Bad a yellow label. In total there are 5 programs to assimilate.

What the plan is.
We have purchased a server with MsSql and i have converted the Access db to SQL. I need to Combine all the different packages into one application for WEB deployment through IIS or Apache(Which one is better). Thin Client Terminals will access the application all from a server level instead of 5 seperate terminals with local applications all accessing at once.
Trouble I have.
I always have a trouble to get Started from Scratch when at design phase. Does any one have some samples of what a Batch / recipe system should look like? Only Because the existing Config is not adequate for what the Production People using the system would prefer. Also the requirements also have to include an every 5 min download from our SAP system for real-time demand. AHHHHHH just some guidence would be appreciated i know i can build this right im just overwhelmed at where to start..
Thanks for all whom can help
ALAN

Hi!

Your problem seems quite complex. I can't dive in to it. A few thoughts...

If I understand your description right all your VB5-application does is to talk to the SQL server. Is this correct?

I'd use the VB5 stuff as a design specification and something to compare to. Write it all from scratch - if I understand you correctly and you're supposed to go from VB5 programs to a web based solution. You should have quite a lot of help from the existing code. Since (if I understand correctly) you're "only" after a straight forward "put some stuff in the DB and read som other stuff" without complex business logic you could use visual web developer. Should do the trick quite nicely and quick.

Apache or IIS depends on what platform you develop on I think. Running stuff from e.g. visual web developer on an Apache server will give you problems (if possible?).

I didn't understand the VB - RFID - PLC stuff but be ware that talking to a PLC system isn't allways easy. Hope you don't have to go in to that. What brand PLC are you using?

Give us a smaller pice of the problem to start with...
/Jens