Looking for some insight here on helping a client retrieve her inventory data.
She had purchased now discontinued software called Bead Manager Pro to assist her with her beading business.
The software no longer runs, and I am unable to find an installation for it anymore. The website is dead and all old download links (you would buy it and the download link would be sent via email) are dead as well.
If I could run the software I'm sure I could export her data to a csv format for excel, but barring that there are only .bak files in the backup folder that can't be read outright without the program. Trying to open them with excel or a text editor output gibberish which I guess is to be expected.
Is there any route I can take to try and get the data (mostly inventory sheets) from these types of files without having access to the program that created them? Kinda at a loss so far unless I can somehow find an old version of this program in the ether.
The creator was contacted but does not respond and reviews of him and his other products shows that the customer service is atrocious and these programs come and go under various names but almost always offer poor customer service after the sale is completed.
I had considered trying to grab a different program from the developer (craft maker pro) and seeing if I could import to that instead, but they offer no free trial and I refuse to even suggest my little old lady client put any more money towards these kinds of software.
Anyway, sorry to ramble on I appreciate any thoughts you guys might have while I consider if there's any hope here or if that data is a write off. Thanks in advance!
She had purchased now discontinued software called Bead Manager Pro to assist her with her beading business.
The software no longer runs, and I am unable to find an installation for it anymore. The website is dead and all old download links (you would buy it and the download link would be sent via email) are dead as well.
If I could run the software I'm sure I could export her data to a csv format for excel, but barring that there are only .bak files in the backup folder that can't be read outright without the program. Trying to open them with excel or a text editor output gibberish which I guess is to be expected.
Is there any route I can take to try and get the data (mostly inventory sheets) from these types of files without having access to the program that created them? Kinda at a loss so far unless I can somehow find an old version of this program in the ether.
The creator was contacted but does not respond and reviews of him and his other products shows that the customer service is atrocious and these programs come and go under various names but almost always offer poor customer service after the sale is completed.
I had considered trying to grab a different program from the developer (craft maker pro) and seeing if I could import to that instead, but they offer no free trial and I refuse to even suggest my little old lady client put any more money towards these kinds of software.
Anyway, sorry to ramble on I appreciate any thoughts you guys might have while I consider if there's any hope here or if that data is a write off. Thanks in advance!