finPOWER Connect - Version 4 & 5 - Intersoft Systems Strategic Plan

This blog summarises Intersoft Systems Strategic Plan for introducing v.4. and v.5. of finPOWER Connect.

To enable Users of finPOWER Connect to plan for the future, Intersoft Systems have released a Strategic Plan that outlines where they believe technology is headed and their intentions for the next two major versions of finPOWER Connect, culminating in version 5.0 being scheduled for release in 2024.    Having reviewed a number of options they have  decided on a cautious approach that should provide many benefits in the long term.

NB: This article pertains to the introduction and use of technologies.  It does not specify which version will have new features. etc.

Where is technology headed?

• The Cloud/Web

• Automating functionality

Where is finPOWER Connect headed? 

• Technology is changing and finPOWER Connect needs to keep up with changes.

• The Cloud/ Web
• By moving to the Cloud, some functionality in finPOWER Connect simply cannot be transferred.
• For example, Page Sets cannot be used in finPOWER Connect Cloud, so Page Sets should be avoided; use HTML Widgets instead.

• For now, there are no plans to make finPOWER Connect solely cloud based
• however,  Intersoft Systems wants to get to a place where everything can be run in the Cloud.

• Fine tune interfaces to provide more functionality and flexibility out of the box.

• Remove old code/ functionality (where possible) to lessen code maintenance and to provide a better service to Users.

Version 4.

• Focus on finPOWER Connect Cloud

• Remove some obsoleted functionality

• Likely to be released in September or October 2022

Version 5.

• Focus on switching the technology platform
• .NET Framework to .NET.

• Remove support for more obsoleted functionality and old technologies, e.g.-
• Summary Page 1 scripts, older Word/ Excel "VBA" based Documents, the newer Word Document and Excel Workbook will still be supported.

• To be released in 2024

.NET Framework v .NET

• finPOWER Connect is currently built using Microsoft's .NET framework.

Microsoft .NET Framework

• In 2019 Microsoft announced that version 4.8 was the last release of the .NET Framework.
• There will still be updates, primarily to support Windows and Security updates.
• The .NET Framework 4.8 will continue to be distributed with future releases of Windows and will be supported for as long as the version of Windows it was released with is supported.
• Windows 10 – released July 2015, end-of-life is October 2025.
• Windows 11 – released October 2021, likely 10 years from release per Windows 10.

• It is the final version of the .NET Framework, all future work going into the .NET platform.

Microsoft .NET

• NET is the future as the .NET Framework will not be developed further.

• .NET is cross platform, i.e., not just Windows, but includes macOS, Linux etc
• This does not mean finPOWER Connect will support these Operating Systems.

• .NET 6 was released in November 2021
• This is the first version of .NET to fully support Applications using Windows Forms (which includes finPOWER Connect)
• Since this is the first version of the .NET Platform supporting Windows Forms we want to be cautious and let .NET mature first

• .NET 8 scheduled release November 2023
• This is the release we will target with finPOWER 5

Compatible Database

• As far as practical we will maintain database compatibility
• Especially for 4.0.0 and 5.0.0 releases
• So a User can run, for example, version 3.4.x and 4.0.0 on the same computer and open the same database.
• E.g., if you find you are using an obsolete function in a script you could continue using the older version while working on resolving the issue.

• This does NOT mean functionality is backwards compatible
• E.g., if you started using a new feature in version 4 and then reverted to version 3.4 the version 4 feature may cause version 3.4 to not work properly.
• This is the same now - if running multiple versions of the same major/ minor version of finPOWER Connect.

What does this mean for finPOWER Connect Users?

• Significant changes are on their way.

• Both versions 4 and 5 should be treated as major upgrades.

• Users should review their systems and prepare
• There are new utilities to help identify areas to review.
• Stop using obsoleted functionality and old technologies as soon as possible.
• Stop creating new scripts etc. using obsoleted or old technologies.
• Review and update existing scripts and other functionality.

• The technology environment will remain largely the same as it is currently
• You will still host your own Database, Application and Web Server.
• Albeit, you may use a hosting platform such as Microsoft Azure or Amazon Web Services (AWS).

Summary

• finPOWER Connect must:
• Move towards a full application in both the Windows desktop and Cloud/ Web Browser environments.
• Move to .NET in the next few years.

• Version 4
• Focus is on finPOWER Connect Cloud.
• Release in 2022.

• Version 5
• Focus on switching the technology platform from .NET Framework to .NET.
• Release in 2024.

• Users must prepare for these changes.