1/* ------------------------------------------- */
2/* Pierre-Jean MARQUET */
3/* Developer & Freelance Expert Consultant */
4/* PROGRESS Software (4GL) → OpenEdge (ABL) */
5/* ------------------------------------------- */
6
7DEFINE VARIABLE expertise AS CHARACTER
8 INITIAL "Progress Software 4GL / OpenEdge ABL".
9
10DEFINE VARIABLE workMode AS CHARACTER
11 INITIAL "Remote-first — occasional travel across Europe".
12
13DEFINE VARIABLE experience AS INTEGER
14 INITIAL 30 /* years */.
15
16DEFINE VARIABLE available AS LOGICAL
17 INITIAL TRUE.
18
19MESSAGE "Available for assignments."
20 VIEW-AS ALERT-BOX.
/* Developer & Freelance Expert Consultant */
Pierre-Jean
MARQUET
Independent developer and consultant on Progress Software (4GL) and OpenEdge (ABL) for over 30 years. Development, training, audit, consulting and short assignments — to keep your ERP running strong, or support you if a migration is genuinely needed.
Working with this technology since 1992
Trusted by
/* Track record */
Results, not just claimed skills
software defects in production over 5 years, at Nature & Découvertes (2002-2007)
Progress → Oracle migration delivered at Peugeot, with no service interruption
years of continuous expertise on the same technology, from v6 to today's OpenEdge ABL
/* Expertise */
Progress / OpenEdge : a robust DBMS, a capable language
Since 1992 I've worked on business-critical applications built on Progress Software and OpenEdge ABL — from version 6 to the latest ABL releases. Distribution, automotive marketing, in-house ERP, seed management, sales software : every assignment confirms the same thing : it's a robust, durable ERP, often underrated. In most cases, maintaining and evolving it is the more rational choice than a full rewrite. When a migration to another ERP is genuinely justified, I support that too.
I favour short, focused assignments rather than long full-time engagements, and remote work — while travelling regularly to meet clients in person (Paris, Nantes, Toulouse and beyond, across France and Europe). I've also been designing and optimising websites (SEO) since 2013.
PROGRESS Software and its 4GL language became OpenEdge and its ABL language when version 10 shipped, around 2010, bringing a full graphical environment. Same ERP, same technology family — but recruiters and system integrators use either name depending on how old their application is. I cover both : legacy "Progress v6/v9" in 4GL through to recent "OpenEdge" environments in ABL.
"Progress / OpenEdge 4GL development and maintenance" training for your in-house teams.
AUDITAudit of your Progress / OpenEdge applications : code health, technical debt, risks, concrete recommendations.
CONSULTINGMaintain, modernise or migrate? An experienced, outside view to help you decide — with no default bias towards migration.
MAINTENANCEApplication maintenance, bug fixes, functional evolutions — short assignments, remote-first.
MIGRATIONVersion upgrades (v6 → v9 → OpenEdge ABL) or migration to another ERP, when that's genuinely the right call.
/* Experience */
Recent assignments
Every assignment, like a commit : a client, a period, an environment. See the full history since 1992 →
-
HITOP
2025 — todayDual activity : website design & Progress / OpenEdge consulting
Website design & web application development
- Website design, maintenance and migration & SEO / GEO
- Full stack HTML/PHP, WordPress and PrestaShop CMS, GIT, automated deployments
- Building and maintaining WordPress plugins and themes (wpj-debug, wpj-backup...)
- Daily use of AI since January 2025
Progress Software / OpenEdge Consultant
- Maintenance, audit and training assignments : remote and on-site in Toulouse
- Development and maintenance in Progress 4GL / OpenEdge ABL
-
LAPEYRE
Jun. 2022 — Jan. 2024Maintenance developer, Progress / OpenEdge — Remote
Application maintenance for LAPEYRE's commercial management software, B2C and B2B scope.
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CAVAC
Sep. 2020 — May 2022Maintenance developer, Progress / OpenEdge — Remote
Application maintenance for the seed management system.
/* Skills */
Progress Software (4GL) and OpenEdge (ABL), every generation
From legacy v6/v9 to recent OpenEdge environments, migration, SQL Server, SEO... See the full skill set →
/* Blog */
Progress Software / OpenEdge tips & tools
Field notes, tutorials and tips from a Progress Software / OpenEdge, 4GL and ABL consultant, published on my dedicated blog (in French).
Read the Progress / OpenEdge blog →/* Contact */
Have an assignment for me?
Remote-first, occasional travel to meet you in person — France and Europe.