OVERVIEW
PocketLANce presented by Cresotech, Inc. provides a complete solution to implement basic
capabilities of (remote) LAN resource access for Pocket PC users. This software product can help Pocket PC users that
need network access at the file transfer level. It is especially useful when there is no unified system of access to
internal enterprise document circulation and centralized database.
But modern business reality implies completely different approach to corporate business process organization with
unified system of automation and document circulation. This approach sufficiently improves organizational effectiveness
and efficiency. But by virtue of its restraint and orientation to standard solutions it hampers integration of
non-standard access models, such as access on mobile PDA devices. Yet it is ability of the system to be integrated
with new products, that characterizes system flexibility.
Cresotech, Inc. is proud to present PocketLANce Platform Software Development Kit, which provides system interface
functions to conveniently integrate Pocket PC based applications into enterprise network infrastructure.
With PocketLANce Platform SDK you can easily, just by slight editing of source code, develop new or update existing
Pocket PC based corporate software systems adding them functions of network data access. It enables to dispense
with expensive database replication software or wireless protocol access facilities (WAP, DoCoMo, AvantGo etc.).
Mobile professionals equipped with Pocket PC devices are the ones, who need remote access to enterprise information
resources.
Using PocketLANce Platform SDK, a developer can add the following functionalities to corporate applications/systems:
GETTING STARTED
The distribution package of PocketLANce Platform SDK includes sample project for eMbedded Visual C++ 3.0 with source
codes and documentation. This project demonstrates use of PocketLANce Platform SDK. Coordination of work of mobile
representatives accessing remote report database is used as an example in this sample project.
PocketLANce Platform SDK enables you to quickly develop business-applications for multiple mobile Pocket PC users
or add communication capabilities to your existing Pocket PC based applications. Moreover PocketLANce Platform SDK
allows creating of heterogeneous software/hardware complexes in which PDA devices are equal in functionality to
desktop PCs.
This example has to demonstrate abilities of recording of reports from mobile Pocket PC users to network computer,
retrieving information from network computer, and running applications on network computer. In this example a
simplified application for mobile representative work accounting.
Mobile representatives prepare reports on their Pocket PCs, establish ActiveSync connections and submit the information
to the office network collecting center. Mobile representatives (salespeople) can also load and review reports of the
other representatives from the collecting center, and run application on the network computer to process or convert
submitted data.
Problem statement
This example was intended as a complete system for generating and processing of reports from mobile representatives
visiting clients. After visiting a client representative prepares internal document - "Report on visit costs". This
document is used for analyzing of representative work effectiveness in relation to his direct costs. The form,
which is filled in by representative, consists of the following fields:
The system functions autonomously, i.e. during report completion there is no need to communicate with the main server.
It is being achieved by keeping a local database of reports, while synchronization is carried out only on
representative's request.
The main database of reports is shared with read/write access in enterprise network infrastructure. In doing so the
communication functions of PocketLANce Platform SDK are used, since PocketLANce Platform SDK proved to be reliable
system, which can be fast and easily integrated into existing solutions.
Setup of Example Application
Since PocketLanCE Platform SDK MobileReports example application uses shared LAN resources, setup process
consists of two phases: (1) Shared network folder adjustment and (2) Actual PocketLanCE
Platform SDK MobileReports setup.
Phase 1. Create a shared network folder on your office network with write access to all users.
NB: A new network folder should be created instead of using existing one. If you are not a system administrator
with full access rights, you can use an existing shared folder but don't forget to backup this folder, since its
content may be lost.
Phase 2. Copy executable file MobileReports.exe to the folder '\Windows\Start Menu\' on your
Pocket PC if you want MobileReports application to be accessible from the system menu. You may copy MobileReports.exe
to any location on your Pocket PC device as well.
How to Launch and Use
Start the MobileReports program from the system menu if you have copied MobileReports.exe to the folder
'\Windows\Start Menu\' or otherwise from the File Manager. After the successful start
of the program the main window is displayed where you need to specify the network folder that you have
created while performing item 1 of previous paragraph, e.g. '\\Server\Share\RWFolder\'.
Further according to the manner of mobile representatives you can perform the following operations:
"Add Report" - adding a new record to the local database;
"View Reports" - reviewing the whole local database of reports as a table;
"Upload Reports to Office" - request for file synchronization with the central database of reports stored
in the shared network folder;
"Download All Reps Results" - synchronization of the local report database with the central database.
Request for copying of central database from the network folder to Pocket PC is performed.
"Run Report on Office PC" -this command launches on the server an application for report processing. In
this example it is Windows Notepad, in which the central database from the network folder is opened.
"Readme!" - displays this document.
This example application can be used in the following logical sequence:
Mobile user selects "Add Report" to create a report. In the displayed window he fills in the required
fields and taps OK. Then a new record in the local database file is created. User can review the list
of his local reports by selecting "View Reports".
Having created several reports user may want to upload his part of the database to the back office collecting center.
He achieves this by selecting "Upload Reports to Office".
To access the main database for reviewing, press "Download All Reps Results". This command copies the main
database file from back office shared network folder to Pocket PC.
For demonstration of basic capability in processing of collected information Windows Notepad application is used. This
program is being started on the back office server with the main database file path in the command line.
The above steps do not restrict mobile representatives interaction by the scheme Pocket PC - Network - Server.
Joint multi-user work of multiple mobile representatives is possible when users are connected to the office network
via cradle, network adapter or remote modem connection. With such organization of work all mobile users have access
to the common information over unified collecting center on the back office network.
Since the same limitations apply
to PocketLanCE Platform SDK as to the core product Cresotech PocketLANce, namely work exclusively through ActiveSync
connection, the most convenient way to provide multi-user functioning for mobile users is modem connection via Remote
Access Service (RAS) or Dial-Up Networking (DUN). Having properly adjusted settings of a server on the local network (for
more details refer to the ActiveSync documentation) you can access LAN wirelessly and perform file operations with remote
network resources in multi-user mode.
To Programmers
This example is for demonstration purpose only. This dialog-based application serves as a template for creating
corporate information environment with PDAs playing a key role.
Special consideration should be given to project configuration, where dynamic link library LANceSDK.lib of SDK
kernel - LANceSDK.dll - is used. The functions DoUploadCommand(), DoDownloadCommand()
and DoExecCommand(), where export functions of PocketLANce Platform SDK are directly invoked, should be
carefully studied as well.
Carefully read documentation supplied with PocketLANce Platform SDK (once this documentation is ready) before using this
SDK in your applications. Since PocketLANce Platform SDK is fully integrated with Cresotech PocketLANce, please become
familiar with PocketLANce documentation as well.
If you have any questions, remarks, bug reports, feature requests or something else, do not hesitate to contact us.
Send your feedback here.
