I need an RDBMS - based accounting package, capable of fund or cash accounting right out of the box.

[Tom Betz]

I need advice from the knowledgeable.

     I'm a *nix novice, just beginning to learn it... but I am 
the system manager responsible for a Model T network system, about 
to be replaced.  
     
     We've been using Apple ///s running on a Constellation II 
network for the last four years, and we've finally hit the wall.  
After dealing with all this time with Apple Pascal running on 1.5 
MHz cpu's handling disk I/O >and< console I/O as well as other 
processing, we're actually going to buy a new computer system.  A 
>real< computer system.  

     We're meeting in the next couple weeks with an accounting 
firm that will recommend specific software packages to suit our 
needs, so whatever hardware we end up with will have to run a 
package from their list...  but I suspect that will leave us 
considerable leeway, providing they don't want us to use (yuck) 
Pick.  

     So, anyway, here's what I see as our generic hardware 
platform:  

        A.  It must run Unix, one flavor or another, as fast as 
            possible (20MHz clock on a 32-bit processor would be 
            nice...); 
        B.  >100 MB HD, Tape drive, easily expandable;
        C.  >4MB Ram, easily expandable; 
        D.  Support 8-9 users (terminals), easily expandable; 
     
     And for generic software needs, outside of the inevitable 
accounting package:  
     
        E. Transparent networking to PCs and Macs, a la TOPS;
        F. Word Processing (>not< Computer Aided Publishing... that's 
                            what the Macs and PCs will be for.);
        G. A fast DBMS with a 4GL, providing a data dictionary / user 
           dictionary structure that will allow record-level file 
           locking, multi-level password security and addition of fields 
           without recompiling applications, and providing hooks to standard 
           languages (C, Modula-2, Pascal, Basic) that can be used in 
           combination with the 4GL as needed...  linked spreadsheet 
           capabilities would be nice, too, and  I'm hoping that whatever 
           accounting package we end up with will use the DBMS, so I can more 
           easily write my own applications (order entry, job tracking, 
           etc.) hooking into it; 
       H.  A spreadsheet with everything Lotus has, at least.  
       I.  Capability to run MS-DOS as a subtask of Unix, 
           for any or all users.  
                  
     Oh, and all this should cost around $25,000.

     A tall order?  Seems that way... but judging from what I've 
     seen in the trades so far, it should be possible.

     I have talked to DEC, IBM, Sun Microsystems...  and am 
awaiting word from Harris.  I've talked to SCO and Fox 
about software, but there's no TOPS (or TOPS-like product) for 
Xenix 386 or uPort 386, so I don't think they'll do... but I'd 
like to be proven wrong.   I really like what I've seen of SCO 
Xenix, and I feel that a 386 box would be the most cost-effective 
solution for us right now.

     So I ask you, what's the best <fill in the blank from the 
items mentioned above> and why?  

     I would appreciate any and all recommendations, caveats, etc.  
folks here have to offer from the vast collective mind of Usenet, 
on any or all items, including recommended sources of training for 
myself and my users.  

     Also, bear in mind that this is for (in part) a charitable 
organization involved in providing job-training and affordable 
housing for the homeless population of the greater NY area...  any 
suggestions regarding funding aid would also be very much 
appreciated.  

     I await your comments with massive expectations.  
      
     Thank you.  
     
Organization:Zen Community of New York


-- 
Tom Betz                        {allegra,philabs,cmcl2}!phri\
Big Electric Cat Public Unix           {bellcore,cmcl2}!cucard!dasys1!tbetz
New York, NY, USA                               {sun}!hoptoad/