iBuyer.hk – Software Developer’s Blog
20+ Years of Building Merchandising Software for the Garment & Trading Industry
2004
- Registered domains: ibuyer.hk, ibuyer.com.hk, ibuyer.hk.idv, sweetfactoryasia.com.hk
- Began preparation for an ASP.NET online B2B website
- Established local companies iBuyer (HK) Limited and Sweet Factory Asia Limited
- Registered a PayPal business account
- Started development of our flagship product MerchanNet 1.0
2005
- Developed and launched several ASP.NET B2B websites (hosted by external providers) – low adoption, later discontinued
- Experimented with various .NET + MS SQL + Crystal Reports web-based solutions – unsuccessful
- Released MerchanNet 2.0
- Developed a series of Microsoft Access-based tools: CostingNet, SampleNet, PurchaseNet, ShippingNet, QualityNet, InvoiceNet, ManpowerNet, WarehouseNet 1.0
2006
- Successfully developed functional desktop database software using Microsoft Access (after unsuccessful attempts with Visual FoxPro and FileMaker)
- Created first activation key class module v1
- Released MerchanNet 3.0
- Released TextileNet, ExportNet, MaterialNet, WholesaleNet 1.0
- Reorganized and upgraded all side products to version 2.0
- Packaged software using Microsoft Access extension as MSI installer for online download and installation
2007
- Created license key module v1
- Released activation key class module v2
- Released MerchanNet 4.0
- Released TextileNet, CostingNet, MaterialNet, ExportNet, WholesaleNet, WarehouseNet 3.0
- Discontinued PurchaseNet, ManpowerNet, SampleNet, ShippingNet and QualityNet
- Embedded documentation filing database function into all products
2008
- Released MerchanNet 5.0
- Released TextileNet, CostingNet, MaterialNet, ExportNet, WholesaleNet, WarehouseNet 4.0
- Switched to standard Microsoft Installer (.exe) packaging
- Released license key module v2
- Released activation key class module v3
- Created custom security DLL system files v1 to protect database files
- Implemented workgroup user-right limitations to restrict access to sensitive records
2009
- Major database platform upgrade from Access 97 (1993) to Access 2007 format
- Released MerchanNet 6.0
- Released TextileNet, CostingNet, MaterialNet, ExportNet, WholesaleNet, WarehouseNet 5.0
- Released license key module v3
- Released activation key class module v4
- Enhanced security DLL system files v2
2010
- Introduced online activation server
- Released license key module v4
- Released activation key class module v5
- Released MerchanNet 7.0
- Released TextileNet, CostingNet, MaterialNet, ExportNet, WholesaleNet, WarehouseNet 6.0
- Enhanced security DLL system files v3
2011
- Registered Share-it (Digital River) merchant account
- Released MerchanNet 8.0
- Released TextileNet, CostingNet, MaterialNet, ExportNet, WholesaleNet, WarehouseNet 7.0
- Released license key module v5
- Released activation key class module v6
- Enhanced security DLL system files v4
2012
- Released MerchanNet 9.0
- Released TextileNet, CostingNet, MaterialNet, ExportNet, WholesaleNet, WarehouseNet 8.0
- Released license key module v6
- Released activation key class module v7
- Enhanced security DLL system files v5
- Created encryption-locked .sif system file v1 to further protect database records
- Set up online support forum for user community and discussion
2013
- Released TextileNet, CostingNet, MaterialNet, ExportNet, WholesaleNet, WarehouseNet 9.0
- Released license key module v8 and v9 (added manual registration function)
- Released activation key class module v9
- Enhanced security DLL system files v6
- Enhanced encryption-locked .sif system file v2
2014
- Released MerchanNet 9.08 and all side products 9.08
- Created automatic upgrade-checking module
- Enhanced security DLL system files v7
- Enhanced encryption-locked .sif system file v3
- Created realistic simulated demo databases for self-learning
2015
- Introduced Cloud Edition for all software products
- Partnered with Microsoft Azure data centers worldwide to host the cloud solution
- Enhanced security DLL system files v8
- Enhanced encryption-locked .sif system file v4
- Launched YouTube video tutorial channel for product demonstrations
2016
- Introduced completely Free Edition of every product
- Enhanced security DLL system files v9
- Enhanced encryption-locked .sif system file v5
2017
- Major release: all products upgraded to version 10.10
- Embedded all required runtimes directly into the installer package
- Resolved runtime and installation failures with automatic detection
- Achieved full 32-bit and 64-bit compatibility regardless of Windows/Office bit version
2018
- Implemented comprehensive activity log (records user, timestamp, before/after values for every change)
- Added support for double-byte integers (numeric fields up to 10 digits)
- Added multi-company support across all products
- Enhanced multi-user environment for mapped network drives and shared folders
2019
- Improved activity log to capture newly added records
- Activity log now permanently preserves deleted records (even if removed from main database)
- Upgraded license server to fully HTTPS-encrypted web services
- Fixed minor license key storage issue on Windows 10
2020
- Redesigned input modules for maximum simplicity and robust error handling
- Resolved printing issues on Windows 10
- Increased database capacity to over 1,000,000 records
- Added detailed Gross Profit (CMT) report for individual apparel orders
- Improved installer prerequisite checks and DLL deployment
2025
- Fixed remaining compatibility issues with Windows 10 and Windows 11
- Increased database file limit to 4 GB for better stability and higher record counts
- Significantly improved runtime performance and speed
- Repackaged installers for higher success rate
- Upgraded to latest Microsoft Access Runtime (Office 15 base)
- Ensured full compatibility with newer Microsoft Office versions for data exchange