So, the owner actually said: “replace (my) failing DOS-based ERP with an ‘ASP.NET solution’”? … And replace my DOS / dBase II / whatever based file system with (for example) SQL Server Enterprise Edition? I get the sense that someone is trying to sell the owner something ("leading-edge") he may not need, want, or can afford; without even addressing what it is that is “failing”. Perhaps, all he needs is “QuickBooks”. ERP systems are made up of multiple "sub-systems". One does not typically replace the whole thing in one fell swoop. You identify the biggest "pain point" and go from there. If the owner says he wants to "replace" his existing ERP system, the easiest way to get him talking is to respond "why?" (Though I doubt that he actually said he wanted to "replace" it).
