PocketASP 2.1 Case Studies

PocketASP is an enabling software platform rather than an end-user product, consequently it can be difficult to realise the potential it offers mobile application developers. This section describes a couple of PocketASP projects, including the all-important development times.

Offsite Research

The Brief:

The client required a system that would allow researchers to visit a location for filming and work through a detailed checklist of observations along with adding freeform notes where necessary.
 
Back at the office, the application must generate a summary document that is automatically available on the desktop and readable in Word.

The Solution:

The application consisted of a set of ASP pages, in the same style as their existing web-based system, so little or no training was required.
 
During development, the application was hosted on an IIS web server and available via the Internet, allowing the client to view and comment on progress without the need for Pocket PC hardware.
 
The information gathered off-site is held in a Pocket Access database on the device. Back in the office when the user requests a summary report for a location, an RTF document is generated from the database content and placed in the Synchronised files folder, making it available on the desktop, ready for opening/editing in Word.

Development Time:

All this was achieved using ASP on PocketASP and a fully functional demonstration was provided in 3 days.

Deployment:

The final application was packaged as a one-click web download and install process, including a link to the application in the Pocket PC Start menu.

Field Engineer Reports

The Brief:

An existing process of completing paper based forms and faxing them to head office (where they are re-keyed into the web based tracking system) is to be replaced by a Pocket PC solution.
 
This development will improve efficiency of the reporting process as;

• Data will be created once
• The report can be dispatched as soon as it has been completed
• Additional information and updated work schedules can be passed back to the Engineer.

The Solution:

The paper based forms were quickly converted to web-based equivalents, the data from which is stored on the Pocket PC in Pocket Access.
 
Periodically the engineer uses a mobile phone (Infra-Red with Pocket PC in this case), connecting to their head office server via the Internet. After appropriate validation, the report information is posted to the central web-server and confirmed via interaction between local and remote ASP pages. While connected latest information and updated work schedules are passed from the central server down to the Pocket PC.
 
Synchronisation of mobile and master database can often be difficult, the method employed in this example does not require the engineer to use a PC and the cradle. In addition, having a loose coupling between the mobile and master databases means either may change without directly affecting the other.

Development Time:

Using PocketASP and the first fully functional version could be produced in just 4 days.

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