I can imagine that conversation. > Well, they can just leave the number blank and we will allow NULL on the database. > No can't have that. Staff are lazy and

I can imagine that conversation. > Well, they can just leave the number blank and we will allow NULL on the database. > No can't have that. Staff are lazy and won't bother entering the number. We must make it mandatory and force them to enter a number. > Okay, how about a tickbox they can tick to indicate that no number was present. > Nope. We'd have to re-design the form. And that means re-designing the OCR system. Costs too much. > Ehmm. We could have them enter a special, 'NOPLATE' code. Of course, you'd have to choose a code that isn't currently used, and inform your colleagues that it is reserved, so it isn't assigned to some joker. Ha. > Oh that would never happen. Okay, we'll put it down on the Project Risk Register. Someone remember to do that. ...