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Pocket PC devices have standard software that makes them ideal as personal productivity devices, ideal for handling contracts, diaries etc. But these devices are also capable of being used as serious business tools to 'mobilise' a whole range of business processes. The main problem to date has been the difficulty in installing adequate software in these devices to enable you to follow your required business process. Either you try to shoehorn you requirement alongside the unit's existing software (an approach that usually requires too many compromises to make it practical), or you pay to have custom software specially developed, which is often simply not cost effective, particularly where only a few mobile units are required. Now Pendulum for Pocket PC makes the mobile implementation of your business process both accessible and cost effective.
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Pendulum
is compatible with leading Win CE/Pocket PC devices from
CASIO COMPAQ FUJITSU-SIEMENS PANASONIC PSION TEKLOGIX SYMBOL TOSHIBA |
Pendulum comes in two versions. Pendulum Data Collector enables PDAs to become flexible data capture devices, including the capability to support bar code data input via plug-in Compact Flash (CF) card bar code readers, where collected data can be transferred back to your host system via local links. For those with more sophisticated mobile data needs, Pendulum Application Builder employs IBM's DB2 Everyplace system on the hand-held device to extend its capability to support databases.
Each version of Pendulum comprises two main applications, the PC-based Page Editor and the Runtime for the mobile device.
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Pedulum
supports market leading Pocket PC add-ons. including CF bar code
scanner and GSM and RF cards from Socket and Symbol.
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Pendulum Page Editor is a WYSIWYG style screen designer that allows Pendulum applications to be created on the PC using a visual representation of the mobile device screen. Pages are designed on the screen as required by placing a range of 'controls' on the screen and setting up the properties for the controls. A page may comprise any combination of control types on the screen. The range of controls enables display, input or actions, depending on their type. For example, a display could be text and/or graphics, input could be manually keyed data or bar code capture, and an action could be ticking a checkbox, pushing a button, etc. Pages can call on or link to other pages to provide additional functionality and enable complete applications to be created. Control types include:
display
text
- display graphic
- pick lists
- pictures
- buttons
- text input
- numeric input
- bar code reader input
- checkboxes
- date/time inputs
- signature/drawing capture
Pendulum Application Builder additional control types:
- database look-up inputs
- database pick lists
- database action buttons
- database communications
Each
of these control types is capable of being modified to meet the needs of the
application by simply altering the properties of each control. Pendulum
Application Builder's database capabilities enable
inter-operability with back-office/enterprise databases via ODBC linking.
Pendulum Runtime is the software required for each mobile device that enables you to communicate with the PC host and run your Pendulum applications. One Pendulum Runtime Licence (either Data Collector or Application Builder versions as appropriate) is required for each mobile that you wish to run your Pendulum applications on. One Runtime licence is included with each Pendulum starter suite.
In
both versions standard data communications is via a Microsoft ActiveSync link
for local transferring of data and Pendulum program files. For more
sophisticated applications and to enable networking of devices, Pendulum
Application Builder also uses Windows CE networking architecture
and Pendulum's own communications server software (included). This gives Pendulum
Application Builder the ability to use any available
communications techniques, for example, dial-up connection, GPRS, GSM or
internal RF network card for use on a wireless LAN.
Application areas suitable for Pendulum include:
- field sales order taking
- expense recording
- time recording
- customer relationship management
- field engineer reporting
- mobile insurance assessment
- fleet management and route planning
- market research
- stock monitoring and asset tracking
- property management
- field merchandising
System
Requirements
For Pendulum Page Editor: Microsoft Windows 98/2000/XP/NT
with CD ROM drive and a minimum of 200Mb of available hard disk.
For Pendulum Runtime: Microsoft Pocket PC 2000/2002 plus local link to
host PC via Microsoft ActiveSync. Optional: Socket bar code scanner CF cards.
Optional for Pendulum Application Builder: networking via wireless LAN, GSM
dial-up to host via modem connection using Microsoft Remote Access Server, GPRS
dial up to internet-based host server; database linking to host database systems
via ODBC.
*Windows CE and Pocket PC are trademarks of Microsoft Corporation. Please enquire about Pendulum's current OS version compatibility.
