Visual c++

I own a small Tool & Die shop and would like to find some program for motion control read sensors and develope some artificial intellegence for industrial motion control in manufacturing. I have a patent applied for some knowledge of electronics iscritical. I just know we can compete in the world if we just don't give up.
We are small and can make instant decicions we have state of the art equipment. Cad Cam FEA it's
not quite enough. Tried universities U of I but you have to think out of the box. Any Ideas??
If all else fails I baught a book C++ in 2 weeks ha :)