The application is WPF, that connects to a MS Web Service running on IIS. All the connection strings are defined in the Web Service that queries the Sybase DB. I am quite sure we could get this working from within the Web Service. However the Web Service is running on .NET 4.0 and is getting a little creaky - later this year we intend to update a host of hardware and software when Server 2016 comes out, and that will involve updating Sybase to the current version updating the Web Services to .NET 4.6x
Making any updates to a service that is used 24/7 when VS keeps throwing the toys out is unnerving to say the least so will probably delay until we have something newer and can test it offline.
The stored procedure sounds like a good idea. Can we call from any DB? When I say that we can start, stop, delete copy and generally manipulate one DB whilst connected to another which suggests we should be able to perform other tasks.