Scraping data off an application window and processing it

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From: Tom (anonymous_at_discussions.microsoft.com)
Date: 08/04/04 

Date: Wed, 4 Aug 2004 10:59:28 -0700

We have a need to scrap (extract) data supplied only to
the screen from an application. The application's
database is not ODBC compliant. Hence, we need
a 'utility' to
1) Read an input text file one by one with the account
numbers (quantity 20K+ each time, quarterly). Hence,
manual is out. File format is *.txt.
2) Enter this just extracted account number into the
appropriate field for the application and
press/select "OK" via mouse controls.
3) Wait for a response and check for any error messages
etc. If error messages, then log account number into a
*.txt file as bad and go back to Step 1 for next account
#.
4) Scrap data off of the screen as presented by the
application and based upon various information needed
(address, phone #, city, state, zip, ratings, type of
account etc.)
5) Put the valid extracted data into an *.txt file for
processing on another system. [Excel is desired but
*.txt is fine].
6) Put the unprocessed account numbers into another file
for manual review.
In the past (5+ years ago) we've used WinBatch,
Kleptomania (shareware at that time) and Monarch.
Ideally, we'd like a single application that could allow
the mouse movement and reading of the input source file
then entering this info into the application
and 'selecting' the appropriate keys on the application.
The application runs in a Win2K/WinXP Pro mode.
I'm open to a completely new application or 'set' of
applications instead of the above. We do not want to
write a VB appl, if possible, but we would consider it.
TIA,
Tom

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