Julian --

If any automation system could do it, ACP could. It is really open. The observing logic is all script, and the library of tools for support is usable from many languages, even MATLAB or Excel. I would NOT write in VBScript, it is horrible. For script I would use JScript, the extended JavaScript that comes with Windows. ACP is a native script engine host with support for Microsoft's script debugging. So with Visual Studio you will have a very complete debugging environment. You will have to learn the OS objects like FileSystemObject and the support for Windows objects (which ACP lives in). The principle is like Java beans but cross language.

I would be happy to guide you as best I can, but as you know developing and debugging code by email or telephone is impossible.