Viewer for InfoPath from Unique World Software

Back in a February post I lamented:

I have wondered why no one has yet made a commercial product, the InfoPath Viewer. I'm sure it's more complicated than this, but InfoPath takes advantage of XML, XSLT, script and Trident (the display engine used by Internet Explorer). What might happen if some CraZy programmer combined them. The Madness!

Well some CraZy programmers at Unique World Software contacted me yesterday letting me know they have a product that delivers 80% on my dream. The product is called InfoView and it is a web form creation engine that converts Microsoft InfoPath forms to web forms delivered in ASP.NET. There website states that "InfoView does not replace Microsoft InfoPath - it complements it to allow end users to create web forms which can be consumed by all users."

They have some slick demos that show their product in action at http://infoview.uniqueworld.net/.

Bottom line: If you can live with the limits of this product (the fact they only do 80%... which I am sure is marketing speak for 60%) it looks good. I'd also guess that they will work to enhance the product so it has stronger compatibility at time moves forward.

When I reflect on this, it makes me realize that it would be smart on Microsofts part to eventually release some type of runtime viewer for InfoPath. InfoView will probably be the first of many tools that down-level InfoPath forms for use in the browser, PDA and Smart Phone. By having a solid viewer, Microsoft can assure a higher level of support for InfoPath long-term.

Following John Durant's "rock thought for the day" -- I've been listening to The Very Best of Sheryl Crow album. Well worth it! She has a great voice and this one album captures here best. One of the best songs on there is First Cut Is the Deepest.This song makes me wonder if Microsoft doesn't put out a InfoPath viewer that this song might become the InfoView theme song :-).