Case Study: Migration of Legacy ERP Application to .NET with both VFP and SQL as Databases
The client is a market leader in the distribution and supply of aftermarket automotive and cooling parts, boasting an extensive network of over 35 branches spread across the Eastern United States. Their business operations are supported by a robust ERP system developed in Visual FoxPro (VFP) 9. This application has been instrumental in managing key aspects of their operations, including inventory, order processing, customer relations, and financial activities. However, as the system aged and the demands of the business grew, it became clear that a transition to a modern, scalable architecture was necessary to sustain growth and maintain operational efficiency. The application’s reliance on both VFP and SQL Server databases further added to the complexity of this migration.
The client made the strategic decision to migrate to a modernized application architecture leveraging .NET Core for the backend, C# .NET WebAPI for integration, and Windows Presentation Foundation (WPF) for the front end. This decision was the result of comprehensive discussions and analysis, focusing on addressing the complexity of the existing application’s screens while delivering a robust, desktop-centric user experience. WPF was specifically selected for its advanced capabilities in managing intricate and dynamic user interfaces, enabling the new application to retain the rich functionality and high performance of the legacy system while benefiting from the scalability, maintainability, and efficiency offered by modern technologies.
The migration of the legacy Visual FoxPro application to a modern .NET architecture highlights the importance of collaboration, innovation, and meticulous execution. Macrosoft worked closely with the client throughout the project, ensuring alignment with both business goals and technical requirements. Custom tools like SpecGen and Fox DLL were instrumental in streamlining the migration process, enabling comprehensive analysis, accurate documentation, and seamless integration of legacy functionalities. Additionally, the development of the FoxSharp testing application provided a robust framework to validate the reliability and performance of the solution during the transition.
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