Smart Client for Windows CE

Most leading companies run business-critical applications that reside on mainframes and backend servers. These applications and data are accessed using client software running on desktop personal computers. To extend access of this business logic to a wireless handheld, requires some thought to be given to the solution at hand. You must consider if the handheld device offers reliable processing performance, if its display is readable, does it offer a set of peripherals and resources such as barcode scanners, RFID readers etc. that meet your solution requirements. You must further consider how the device will connect to and access your business logic in a secure manner. Is printing involved? Is there client software available to address all these requirements? If so does it integrate with the device peripherals? The list goes on.

Fortunately, some of these questions are answered by reviewing industry trends. Others demonstrate the need for a smart client application such as those offered by Belgravium.

Device Computing Power:

Over the last couple of years, computing power among handheld terminals has been increasing continuously. Typical configuration for a Window CE handheld terminal sold today is a 400MHz processor and 32MB to 64MB of RAM.

Pervasive Connectivity:

Broadband wireless networks are being deployed across enterprises. HotSpot are popping up every where. Wireless wide area connectivity is getting cheaper to afford and reliable to use.

Mature Windows CE OS:

Windows CE has also matured as an OS to offer higher reliability, better performance and a more robust user interface. Within the barcode data collection industry, almost every new device introduced is based on the Microsoft Windows CE / Pocket PC operating platform. All you have to do is look at the terminal product offerings from every major hardware device manufacturer.

Device Form Factors and Variations:

Belgravium devices vary in peripheral configurations and ergonomics as they are targeted towards specific vertical markets. Peripheral resources like Barcode Scanners, Imagers, Magnetic Stripe Readers, Wireless Options, Device form factor, Keypad configurations, Screen size etc differentiate these devices.

Customers are demanding simple solutions:

Solutions which leverage their existing infrastructure investments, while allowing for a migration path in their growth strategy.

To address this demand, Smart Client products are available :

which run natively on the device
integrate with device peripherals
provide a rich user interface to access and update data / business logic residing on legacy backend hosts and web servers

A smart client application makes sense because:

It allows for a richer user interface. This is essential for a productivity solution
It is more responsive and adaptable than a thin client application because it integrates with the device peripherals and resources.
Allows for full control over the device
Leverages the capabilities of the device to enhance solution usability
It has the ability to run offline