ABELDent, like all Windows-based software, requires the interactivity of subsystems from several different manufacturers. Each of the components that make up a software configuration are upgraded periodically, providing opportunities to improve the software for its users.

The database is one of the most important subsystems of a software system: the database controls interaction between application software and their data as well as storing and protecting the data. The Jet database (sometimes called Access or MDB) used by ABELDent has been the most common database platform for many years. Millions of software applications use the Jet database. The MS SQL Server database, previously used mainly in larger applications (i.e. large corporate systems), is becoming more common in smaller professional systems. Where SQL-based systems were once configured and maintained by trained IT professionals on expensive hardware, more user-friendly SQL products and tools have made it a viable solution for applications like dental software. This is good news for dentists as they require more storage capacity and security from their dental software.

 

This fall, we will release ABELDent 6.0, an update that is available with either an SQL or Jet database. The SQL and Jet versions are functionally very similar and customers with valid Software Update Maintenance Agreements can select either of the two.

 

We recommend that customers with extensive data needs switch to the SQL version soon after it is released. For example, customers with installations of eight or more workstations, ten or more years of ABELDent use or that use the latest clinical features extensively.

 

Customers that do not fall into the categories above can wait until they are ready to invest in hardware and/or operating systems. Of course, any customer that meets our recommended system guidelines for SQL can update to the SQL version.

 

The SQL version of ABELDent 6.00 has higher minimum system requirements than the Jet version. ABELDent customers using older hardware (Pentium II and III computers) and older operating systems (Windows 98 or NT) will require hardware upgrades to run the SQL version effectively. We will post our system requirements for the SQL version on our web site in May.

 

All software development companies must adapt their products to changes and periodically adopt new technology. If they are too slow to adapt, their software becomes uncompetitive: if they change too aggressively, their customers face frequent and unnecessary hardware upgrades. The best software vendors are excellent at balancing their need to adopt new technology with the need for their customers to cost-justify investments in hardware and software.

 

In support of our commitment to adopting beneficial new technology in a cost-justifiable manner, we will support a gradual migration to SQL. Our customers can migrate to SQL when they are ready while we continue to support the Jet version.

 

We feel it is important to provide customers with responsible advice on upgrade issues. While we recognize that technology companies can sometimes leave customers with a constant sense of falling behind, SQL is unquestionably a more stable and secure database platform than Jet. ABELDent and most other dental software will eventually support only SQL or an equivalent platform.

 

Some new software companies only use SQL. These facts are indisputable, but they do not mean that a practice using reliable MDB-based software should immediately buy new hardware just to switch to an SQL-based version of the same software. Carefully considering the needs and goals of your practice will help you make the right decision.