From High Diver to AI Innovator: How John Hill is Transforming PICK/MultiValue Development with AI
It’s not every day you meet a developer who’s both a former high diver and a pioneer in AI-driven PICK development. But that’s exactly who John Hill is—and he’s leading a transformation that could redefine the future of the MultiValue community.
The Challenge
For decades, PICK/MultiValue developers have been the unsung heroes of business-critical applications. They’ve kept systems alive through grit and deep expertise—customizing workflows, solving problems others can’t, and ensuring production keeps moving. But with aging workforces, sprawling codebases, and increasing demands for modernization, the question has loomed: How do we carry this legacy forward into the future?
Many developers tried early AI tools only to be disappointed. Syntax errors, lack of context, and weak integration made them more novelty than necessity.
The Turning Point
Enter John Hill, Senior Developer at Zumasys, with 25 years of experience across multiple PICK/MultiValue applications and databases. When GitHub Copilot and ChatGPT became available inside Visual Studio Code, John saw an opportunity to shift the narrative.
“I call it my junior programmer,” John says with a grin. “AI doesn’t get tired, it points me in the right direction, and it drafts fixes I can refine.”
Instead of manually combing through thousands of lines of PICK code, John now:
- Loads PICK codebase into Visual Studio Code
- Describes the problem in plain English
- Let’s AI suggest solutions or generate corrected code
The results? AI recognizes core PICK BASIC elements such as EQUATE statements, dynamic arrays, and common INCLUDE files—and it can even prompt reminders about updating related customer programs or configurations. Debugging that once took hours now takes minutes.
The Transformation
John’s breakthroughs didn’t stop with debugging. One of the most time-intensive tasks in Rover ERP migrations has always been data conversions. Migrating records from legacy PICK Multi-Value systems into Rover ERP used to require endless spreadsheet mapping and custom code.
Now, AI helps John:
- Extract clean data with his custom routines (Also generated with AI in Pick or python depending on the data source)
- Generates equates automatically as well as documented table layouts saving hours of manual work and for easy reference
- Build complete conversion programs by comparing source and target layouts
- Compile and test instantly, sometimes running successfully the very first time
What once took days now takes a fraction of the time, freeing John to focus on higher-value development work.
The Dream Process
Looking ahead, John envisions an AI-assisted pipeline that bridges the gap between end users and custom modifications to the Rover ERP code:
- Interview stakeholders – A warehouse manager or sales rep shares their needs.
- AI transcript & analysis – Tools like Otter or Grain capture requirements and draft a Product Requirements Document.
- AI-powered code generation – Copilot uses that PRD, the existing codebase, and file layouts to draft new features.
- Developer refinement – The human developer tests, adjusts, and deploys.
This requirements-to-code process could revolutionize PICK development—faster delivery, fewer missed requirements, and systems that reflect the real needs of users.
Why This Matters for PICK Developers
John’s journey shows what’s possible when AI is applied correctly:
- Use the right tools – VS Code + GitHub Copilot provides context-aware intelligence far beyond free AI apps.
- Feed it context – AI is only as good as the data it sees. Loading real codebases unlocks real results.
- Think bigger – AI isn’t just about writing faster code. It’s about modernizing workflows and reimagining how requirements become reality.
For the PICK/MultiValue community, this is modernization without compromise—an opportunity to preserve decades of business logic while embracing the future.
Getting Started Resources:
- GitHub Docs: Getting Started with Copilot in VS Code
- YouTube: Copilot Setup in Visual Studio Code
The Future with Rover + AI
At Zumasys, we’ve always believed in honoring legacy while embracing innovation. With leaders like John Hill, we’re showing the world that PICK/MultiValue systems are not relics of the past—they are evolving platforms powered by AI.
For developers, AI is not a replacement. It’s an ally—a tireless assistant making coding more accessible, enjoyable, and impactful.
And for businesses running Rover ERP and Rover Business Suite, it means modernization with speed, precision, and purpose.