I agree with Alan that building the app to be delivered via a web page is an
excellent way to get good results fast. While we rolled our own VFP-based
COM framework to create the web pages, WW is certainly and excellent way to
go.
However, we found a very big caveat that may not be a problem for you but is
a major barrier for us. We had an additional requirement to (1) support an
active RFID reader plugged into an off-the-shelf handheld and (2) interface
with a .NET library to control the reader. Unfortunately, there is virtually
no COM Interop capability with Windows CE for talking from, say, JavaScript
to a .NET COM object! I have confirmed this, disappointedly, with Microsoft
engineers. I'm working on a multi-wrapper work-around for this problem using
eVC, but I'm not there yet, although it looks promising.
If someone else has found a solution to this, other than rewriting our whole
framework in .NET (which is not an option), then I'm all ears.
Dave
-----Original Message-----
From: profoxtech-bounces (AT) leafe .D.OT com [mailto:profoxtech-bounces@leafe.com] On
Behalf Of Alan Wyne
Sent: Thursday, March 31, 2005 3:52 PM
To: profoxtech (AT) leafe .D.OT com
Subject: RE: VFP developers and handheld apps
I have worked with this on PDA's and now just finished a simple WMS for
a symbol MC50 and for Handheld products 9500 units.
For the PDA I used a product from www.syware.com. Talks nicely to VFP
tables and works in a connected or disconnect mode.
For the WMS I have ended up using web-connect from www.west-wind.com.
Found that the best method was to simply use the built in browser and
nice simple html code. Rick's product works great, allows me maximum
flexibility and is fast. We have about 6 to 10 users on the WMS system
at any time and it links directly into our SBT/ACCPAC accounting system.
Obvously it only works in connected mode....but for a wireless network
system the browser is great.
Alan Wyne
-----Original Message-----
From: profox-bounces@leafe.com [mailto:profox-bounces (AT) leafe .D.OT com] On
Behalf Of MB Software Solutions
Sent: Thursday, March 31, 2005 1:26 PM
To: profox@leafe.com
Subject: VFP developers and handheld apps
While at Disney/Universal Studios last week, I participated in a survey
where the
person asked me a few questions from their handheld device and used the
stylus to
pick the appropriate multiple choice answer as well as enter freeform
text too.
A slick little app, and it looked good (read: visually appealing, not
your
archaic looking LED crap). One person's device was a VIA handheld
(...couldn't
find anything on a google search because of the name being weird) and
another
person's handheld (different park, different day) was a Symbol handheld.
I have an opportunity soon to write an app for a handheld. For other
VFP
developers who have gone into that arena, a couple questions:
1) What tool do you use to write the app
2) How hard is it?
3) Is it something a VFP developer could pick up easily?
TIA!
--Michael
Michael J. Babcock, MCP
MB Software Solutions, LLC
http://mbsoftwaresolutions.com
http://fabmate.com
"Download the trial version of FabMate today and see why we're quickly
becoming
the Contractor's Estimating Solution of choice!"
[excessive quoting removed by server]
©2005 Dave Bernard |
