MicroComputer Task Group

Computer Application Developers

Portfolio

   

                                                            TimeLine

2019- 2020

New VFPA (VFP 10) Visual FoxPro Launch

The three day 2020 Virtual FoxFest Developers Conference introduced Visual FoxPro Advanced (VFPA) as a third-party replacement and enhancement for Microsoft's VFP 9 product. VFPA remedies over 100 bugs and incompatibilities in VFP 9 and introduces new features to enhance modern development needs. VFPA also offers an x64 (64-bit) version that ensures VFP viability on the Window platform. VFPA is essentially VFP 10. Developers and users now have an appropriate retort to the too often repeated mantra that FoxPro is dead, 32-bit only and no longer supported. The strong Fox community supports FoxPro. VFPA is free! Fox lives!

Panagraphics Inc.  - Job Tracking System

MicroComputer Task Group upgraded the Panagraphics Inc. Job Tracking app to Version 2 for quoting custom metal enclosures. The app's screens and reports were upgraded to capture the look and feel of the company's website. Reporting options were simplified and performance enhanced as much as possible. The same enhancements were applied to Pyramid Inc., a Panagraphcs sister company.

Ross Technology LLC  - Racks Quotation System

MicroComputer Task Group upgraded the Ross Technology Quotation app for quoting Dexco Racks products. Many enhancements were made to expand functionality, improve performance, and provide an interface into Salesforce software.

 

2013-2018

ProAir, Inc. (American Cooling Technology, Inc.) - Product Warranty Registration

MicroComputer Task Group developed a product warranty registration app for the web for a ProAir (formally American Cooling Technology, Inc). The client requested that the application be developed using Alpha Anywhere so as to build on their desktop Alpha V based warranty registration data entry app.

 

2011-2019

United CoolAir Inc. - unitedcoolair select

MicroComputer Task Group developed a product selection and quotation app for United CoolAir, Inc. using Visual FoxPro. This cutting edge app's interface has been praised by use, Inc. for greater usability over competitors' software. This app is downloadable for registered distributors and dealers from the United CoolAir website and runs on their work stations. The design of this app surpasses in many ways the app developed for by MCTG for Johnson Controls.

  

2006-2013

 MicroComputer Task Group became a MANTEC Qualified Solutions Provider, thereby providing substantial savings in development costs to MCTG clients for the United CoolAir Selection and the ProAir Product Warranty Registration apps.  

MCTG developed its first web app using Visual FoxPro in combination with FoxInCloud to create a system for tracking packages shipped by all carriers. The web app allows customers to view and edit their shipment invoices online after their data is processed and reports generated by the FoxPro phase of the app.

MicroComputer Task Group developed a variety of custom data analysis apps for testing facilities, package shipment trackers, racks manufacturer, metal enclosures and steel fabricators, heat exchanger manufactures, paving material supplier, heavy lifting and light hoist and crane builders, and financial fund management brokerage, among others. applications include product selection, rating and quotations, job tracking, labor reporting, invoicing, test data analysis, product directory query, membership profile and billing, marketing planning, fishing log book, and furnace certified performance calculation.

Garth developed the complex AFUE furnace and boiler calculation app for GAMA. This version of the AFUE app is still in being used by many GAMA members, engineers and others.

Formed a seven man developer team designated as Cloud Apps Studio to develop its first application designed for the Web. The application made ARI's widely used directories of certified HVAC equipment accessible via the web for the first time. The directories of certified furnaces and boilers for GAMA (Gas Applications Manufacturers Association) followed, forming a natural companion app bookend. Completing the Web app bundle, several home energy savings calculator apps targeted for HVAC dealers and consultants were also developed.  
 
MCTG staff expanded to seven developers to support its largest development project to date: ARI's online web based directory of Certified Equipment. MCTG developed a companion app for Gama (Gas Applications Manufacturers Association).

2004
MicroComputer Task Group and founder Garth Groft were featured in the Moment with a Manager section of the York Newspaper, Sunday June 2014 edition.

1989-2003

Johnson Controls, Inc. - York ESP Equipment Selection Program

MicroComputer Task Group developed YORK ESP, the Equipment and Selection Program developed for Johnson Controls and launched it worldwide. This app enables salesmen, architects and engineers in the HVACR (air-conditioning, heating, ventilating and refrigeration) industry to prepare submittals and quotations specifying equipment manufactured and sold by Johnson Control's YORK and YORK and UPG OEM brands. This app has been cited as the best software in its class and attracted thousand of users worldwide.

The Inspiration Behind the Startup of MCTG 1989

While vacationing in Colonial Williamsburg, a book caught my eye in the bookstore. This book, "The Dynamics of FoxBase+ Programming" by George Goley IVwas the inspiration behind my choosing FoxPro as my primary application developer tool.

Early on, Garth developed affiliations with three consultants, Larry Leo, CEO of The Leo Group (Hershey, PA), Bob Swearingin and Bob Weatherspoon. Garth supported and engaged in a number of mutually beneficial joint ventures with these consultants. Consequently, an in house sales person was not needed. Plus a good measure of new business came to MCTG by way of good word of mouth and FoxPro developers were in demand. 

Larry Leo and I were classmates at a FoxPro training class taught by FoxPro guru George Goley of Micro Endeavors, Inc. in suburban Philadelphia. George was later hired by Bill Gates to head up Microsoft's cross platform database development (ASP. Net, SQL Server, Access, FoxPro). FoxPro was becoming an increasingly popular application development tool. Micro Endeavors asked me to help them with two FoxPro projects, one having a client known to be problematic. I developed a good working relationship with the client. Ultimately, I decided to remain in York and continue growing my own business. As a footnote, George married the lady he hired later for the position I was being considered for.

After attending George's FoxPro class, Larry Leo and I teamed up to develop some FoxPro apps for one of his clients in Harrisburg, PA.