PDS (OpenInsight 32-bit Specific)
At 26 OCT 2004 05:19:38AM Barry Stevens wrote:
I am looking into using PDAs for data capture of delivery info. Data to be sent to PDA, data sent back from PDA.
I was told that the ONLY easiest way that can be done is via synchronisation with a SQL database with the PDA.
Is this true.?
..I have no problem with the OI end as there appears to be plenty of facilities to do this.(Right?)
Baz
PS: Any aussies out there in Sydney that can develop a couple of PDA data retrieval\entry screens for my client…need an initial idea of cost.
At 26 OCT 2004 05:20AM Barry Stevens wrote:
At 26 OCT 2004 05:55AM [email protected] wrote:
No the easiest way is an HTML app updating an OI App back at base! This has been one of Rev's roadshow stalwarts for years now - you can download it from the Works area
The Sprezzatura Group Web Site
World Leaders in all things RevSoft
At 26 OCT 2004 10:42AM Donald Bakke wrote:
Barry,
You might also want to drop Mary Jean Blink or John Stamper at VSI Technologies, Inc. a line as I believe they have already developed solutions in this area.
At 26 OCT 2004 12:16PM Jim Weir wrote:
We have done this with cell phones using WML, WAP and OICGI/OECGI. PDA's should be just as easy as long as they have a microbrowser. Have a look at www.openwave.com along with the link Sprezz gave you.
Jim
At 26 OCT 2004 11:44PM Barry Stevens wrote:
Thanks, but a server frontend is out of the question
At 26 OCT 2004 11:46PM Barry Stevens wrote:
Thanks Don, I will follow up your lead.
At 27 OCT 2004 01:37AM [email protected] wrote:
Server frontend?
The Sprezzatura Group Web Site
World Leaders in all things RevSoft
At 27 OCT 2004 10:11PM Barry Stevens wrote:
Sorry,
OK, I assume you mean WireLess communication from the PDA to the OI Database. How is the access to the Database controlled and "Communicated".
Barry
At 28 OCT 2004 01:33AM [email protected] wrote:
It's essentially a web app with all that entails.
The Sprezzatura Group Web Site
World Leaders in all things RevSoft
At 28 OCT 2004 04:28AM Barry Stevens wrote:
So, the cheapest option would be to plug the PDA into the PC and "Download\upload" the data!
At 28 OCT 2004 04:44AM [email protected] wrote:
If you don't want to use GSM but you have just complicated it because now the PDA has to store stuff locally which is more difficult from a browser due to sandboxing.
The Sprezzatura Group Web Site
World Leaders in all things RevSoft
At 01 NOV 2004 11:02AM Bob Carten wrote:
Barry
Without a wireless connection, synchronizing PDAs is pretty much an excercise in passing flat files back and forth. Palm uses 'conduits' to read and write data from the PDA to a repository. The conduit hides the transfer method from the PDA. Conduits can use ODBC, which is what most PDA developers will know, but they can also use CSV, flat files, or a custom format. Palm has a conduit SDK which, with Xrev.dll or OECGI could be used to create a conduit which goes directly to OI. I have not checked in a while, but I believe that the XML features of OI can be used with OLEDB to feed a conduit too. Finally, Nathan Rector, a vendor who displays a most of the Spectrum Multivalue shows, has written a Multivalue friendly conduit. He did not write it for Revelation, but might be willing to adapt it. He put some articles in Spectrum Magazine in 2003.
I think you can find him at [email protected] or http://www.natecsystems.com.
Some other facts:
There are some toolkits - PenDragon, Satellite Forms, and AppFactory – which let you put up a PDA application in very sort order. If you just want data collection without much logic, check out Appfactory from Wasp Technologies (the Barcode company). It is very simple to use, you can prototype your app in a morning.
You will want a total lifecycle plan – which PDA device, battery life, how synch station number and location, breakage rates, device 'imaging', training, revised job descriptions, etc. This is a project where the software is only a piece of the equation.
HTH
Bob
At 02 NOV 2004 05:27AM Barry Stevens wrote:
Bob,
Fabulous!! Thanks
Barry