Integration of PDAs to MultiValue Databases

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Integration of PDAs to MultiValue Databases

• Nathan Rector
• Natec Systems

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About the Speaker

• Nathan Rector, Owner of Natec Systems
• Consultant since 1992, user since 1989
• Writes Tech Tips in Spectrum Magazine
• On-site Training
• Custom Programming
• MV Basic
• Visual Basic
• Custom Applications

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Objective

• Introduce PDA to MultiValue Environment
• Different PDAs
• Methods of exchanging information
• Development tools

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Types of PDAs

• Palm - Palm OS
• Palm m100
• Palm III
• Palm V
• Palm VII
• Pocket PC - Windows CE
• HandSpring - Palm OS
• Symbol - Palm OS and Windows CE

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Palm vs Pocket PC (WinCE) Palm

• Advantages
• Price
• More Existing software
• Simplicity
• Disadvantages
• Simplicity
• Programming Languages (no longer relevant)

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Palm vs Pocket PC (WinCE)Pocket PC

• Advantages
• Windows Functionality
• Programming Languages (no longer relevant)
• Disadvantages
• Price
• Complexity

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Applications

• Warehouse Inventory
• Retail Order Entry
• Sales Force Contact List
• Appointments
• General Organization
• Production Floor Notes/Directors

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Data Integration Methods

• File Link
• Hot Sync/IntelliSync
• Palm Desktop
• Outlook
• MS Access
• Custom Conduit
• ActiveSync

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File Link

• Palm Supported
• Included in the Hot Sync Manager
• Pocket PC Not Supported

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Palm DeskTop

• Palm Supported
• Included with your Palm
• Pocket PC Not Supported
• Requires MS Office to get similar functions

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OutLook

• Palm Supported
• IntelliSync
• Pocket PC Support
• ActiveSync

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MS Access

• Palm Supported
• Satellite Forms
• PocketPC Supportedc
• ActiveSync

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Conduits

• Palm Supported
• Create your own conduit to access MultiValue Data
  directly
• Pocket PC Not Supported

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ActiveSync

• Palm Not Supported
• Use Conduits
• Pocket PC Supported
• Works with Office only
• Complete Desktop Files

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Development Tools

• Window CE
• Visual C for Windows CE
• Visual Basic for Windows CE
• Palm
• C
• Visual Basic (AppForge VB Add-in)
• NS-Basic
• CodeWarrior
• Satellite Forms

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Application Design

• Small screen
• Limited processing
• Batch mode
• Tap touch
• How will it be used?
• Data entry
• Inquiry/Access only?
• Users to be using?

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PDA File Design

• How fast do you need to sync
• Minimum data required
• Size
• Speed of sync
• PDA Processing
• Updating MV System
• New/Updated Data
• Deleted Data

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Good/Bad Screen Design

• Good for viewing
• Easy access
• Hard to enter new data
• Requires skill by user

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Good/Bad Screen Design

• Easy viewing
• Easy marking of done
• Easy to change basic information

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Questions
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Integration of PDAs to MultiValue Databases

• Nathan Rector
• Natec Systems