> There will probably only be two or three groups sharing 8 tables
> where the data has to be distinctive, and a couple of these tables
> will grow by several thousand rows per year. There are quite a few
> lookups and M-D setups involved. I should probably consider a way to
> move the older data out to archive tables annually anyway!

Yes, keep those tables small. Also, when making indexes, do not put an index
on the group column alone. Compound it with other columns so that the index
has good selectivity.

> I think you're suggesting to have two different versions of the
> program, with appropriate selection references changed. I should
> probably give both ways a try and compare the speed.

No, I'm suggesting that the queries of the application be designed to have
an input parameter in them. This input parameter is assigned a value in the
before execute event.

If I were you I would produce a subclass of TIB_Query that builds this in
automatically. This way it is controlled in code in one place and as long as
you write the queries accordingly it will take care of itself.

HTH,
Jason Wharton
CPS - Mesa AZ
http://www.ibobjects.com