Why the time is right for PDA applications

During this time, many businesses have utilised them to mobilise their workforce; using both off-the-shelf and bespoke solutions.

As with any new, emerging technology, there have been various issues that have slowed their uptake, and perhaps led to criticism with regards to their viability.

Hardware

A fundamental flaw of Windows Mobile 2003 devices was that installed programs and user data were held in volatile RAM. This meant if the user allowed the battery to go flat they would lose important data stored on the device and have the inconvenience of having to re-install all their software.

The introduction of Windows Mobile 5 in the latter part of 2005 resolved this issue by using persistent flash RAM for storage, making them much more suited for business critical applications.

PDAs are often used in fairly harsh environments and manufacturers, such as Symbol-Motorola, have responded to this need, producing a broad range of ruggedised devices.

Modern devices are often fitted with an increasing array of extras, including camera, GPS receiver, high speed 3G HSDPA internet access, RFID tag reader/writer, barcode scanners etc…

Software Development

Until recently, software was developed for PDAs using eMbedded Visual Basic or eMbedded Visual C++.

Visual Studio 2003 saw the release of .NET Compact Framework 1 and although very limited, allowed developers to create managed .NET applications for embedded devices, such as PDAs.

The release of Visual Studio 2005, along with .NET Compact Framework 2 and SQL Server Compact Edition is possibly the most important thing to ever happen in PDA development.

Having been involved in PDA development since before the .NET Compact Framework, we feel that the platform has reached a level of maturity where business critical, enterprise scale applications are completely viable.

Mobile Networks

In order to have a mobilised workforce, you need to have a viable mobile data network.

Until recently, the cost per MB has been very expensive; perhaps stifling the uptake of mobile solutions.

Recently, however, several mobile operators have introduced flat-rate tariffs for data use. In addition, many new devices now support HSDPA, an improvement to 3G allowing download speeds comparable to conventional broadband.

Summary

The hardware, software development tools, and mobile networks have all matured sufficiently that all the pieces are now in place to develop enterprise scale, robust, mobile applications.

• The hardware has matured to meet business critical applications. Windows Mobile 5 devices, or later, do not lose installed programs and data if the battery is allowed to go flat.
• Microsoft’s .NET Compact Framework 2 and SQL Server Compact Edition empower the developer, aiding the creation of robust, more capable solutions.
• Flat-rate data tariffs on mobile networks mean a connected mobilised workforce is now economically viable.

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