.KEYWORD handsizing1200
.FLYINGHEAD HANDSIZING YOUR ORGANIZATION
.TITLE Enterprise quality handsizing software
.DEPT
.SUMMARY Kathy Burns continues her look at the concept of "handsizing," the scaling down and optimization of your hardware base through the implementation of handheld computing. In this installment, she shares with you some of the many Enterprise quality software options that are available today.
.AUTHOR Kathy Burns
Last month I introduced the concept of handsizing your organization. I explained that handsizing means the implementation of handheld computers in day-to-day business activities, and I cautioned that while this is an exciting new concept, there are many pros and cons to be taken into consideration before implementing it in your organization.
Like any other corporate planning, your handsizing strategy must address issues unique to your organization. Factors such as which hardware accessories are needed, how to manage content, access and security, and whether to license existing software or implement your own custom solutions should be fully considered. Software strategies must further address the possibility of multiple devices and operating systems being used and how your current back-end systems are designed.
This month we’ll look at various Enterprise quality software options that are already available. For those of you who want to handsize quickly, have partial handsizing in place, or simply don’t want to "reinvent the wheel," there are a plethora of software options on the market.
.H1 Cross functional communication
Sometimes an organization finds itself partially handsized by no design of its own. This happens as more and more people buy handheld computers for personal use, only to discover how useful they are in their everyday business activities. When this happens, you might find that members of your organization are using a variety of different handheld devices and operating systems. This can be very taxing on your IT department, but luckily there’s software available that’ll allow most of the devices to communicate amicably.
XTNDConnect (formally Enterprise Harmony 99) is an application that allows Windows CE units, Palm devices, Casio Personal Organizers, and Ericsson R3205 Mobile Phones to synchronize contacts, appointments, and memos using just one application. The devices can synchronize with popular PC applications such as Microsoft Outlook, Lotus Notes, Lotus Organizer, and ACT! At a standard price of $59.95 per seat, this is an affordable option for quick cross functionality implementation. You can find it at http://www.extendsys.com/solutions/mdm.html.
SyncTalk also allows information exchange between Palm OS, Windows CE, Pocket PC, and EPOC users. SyncTalk communication is done via infrared only and allows the various devices to exchange contact information, schedules, notes and documents. At $29.95 per seat, SyncTalk would be ideal for outfitting field representative teams. It’s found at http://www.sodeog.com.
.H1 For IT and management
If your organization is concerned about security, software version control, or document distribution methods, take a look at The iMobile Suite from Synchrologic. This solution offers a secure, reliable, server-based infrastructure for deploying applications, email, files, and data to Pocket PCs, Palm handhelds, and laptops via wireless networks. Prices range from $29 to $259 per seat with a 100 seat minimum.
You can find the iMobile Suite at http://www.synchrologic.com/about/about_imobile.html.
.H1 Office management
Almost everything you do in business today involves managing large amounts of information. There are a variety of software tools available for use on handheld computers that should satisfy every department. Following are some of the most useful.
Handheld databases can be used by your sales force to track product database information, customer contact records and purchase history, reference materials, and more. Two powerful relational databases for handhelds are ThinkDB and HanDBase. Both are highly customizable, allow conversion to and from Access databases, and have desktop companions for PC editing.
ThinkDB is priced at $24.95, and you can find it at http://www.thinkingbytes.com/thinkDB.html. It’s pictured in Figure A.
.FIG A ThinkDB lets you store databases on your Palm computer.
HanDBase is $24.99 and can be found at http://www.ddhsoftware.com/software.html?view=handbase. It’s pictured in Figure B.
.FIG B HanDBase users can extract database information from PCs to their Palm devices.
Your finance team can crunch numbers while your executives plan and monitor budgets by using one of the powerful spreadsheet applications that are available for handheld devices. TinySheet and Quicksheet are two of the best Palm spreadsheet programs. Both synchronize with Microsoft Excel, allow on-device editing, and perform a variety of standard spreadsheet functions.
At $19.95, TinySheet has a color version, allows multiple sheet workbooks, and supports cell formulas that access different sheets. You can find it at http://www.iambic.com/pilot/tinysheet3/, and it’s pictured in Figure C.
.FIG C TinySheet now works with the Palm IIIc to add color to your spreadsheets.
Quicksheet retails for $29.95 and features chart and graphing capabilities. You can find it at http://www.cesinc.com/quicksheet/index.html, and it’s pictured in Figure D.
.FIG D Quicksheet lets you view spreadsheets on your Palm device.
.H1 Project management
Outfit your production team with mobile project management tools. Project\@Hand by Natara Software is an excellent application that allows you to carry up to 32 projects on your Palm device, has a Gantt chart add-in, supports color, and easily synchronizes with Microsoft Project. Standard pricing is $49.95 and volume discounts are available.
You can find Project\@Hand at http://www.natara.com/ProjectAtHand/index.cfm, and it’s pictured in Figure E.
.FIG E Manage your projects with Project\@Hand.
.H1 Accessing and collaborating over data
If your field sales force needs to enter orders while on the go, take a look at the AvantGo Enterprise application. This tool is an offline Web browser that will store form submissions until the next time you perform a HotSync with your Palm desktop. If your team is equipped with handheld modems, the sales forms can be submitted live from the field. You can find it at http://avantgo.com/enterprise/frontdoor/index.html.
If you need secure file access and collaboration but don’t have an appropriate intranet area available, vVault is an attractive alternative. This is a Web based hard drive that allows each user up to 25MB of free space. Files of many types can be stored privately or shared with a workgroup. Portability, flexibility, and accessibility are key with vVault. You can send stored files to any email address or fax machine of your choosing and access the files with a regular Web browser, wireless enabled handheld, or Web enabled cell phone.
You can find out more about vVault at http://www.vvault.com.
While these tools are far from being all-inclusive, they provide solutions for relatively quick and easy enterprise handsizing deployment. Depending upon your needs, philosophies, and purpose, your organization may or may not be able to implement the above suggestions. Even if you’re not able to use any of them, it’s probably a good idea to review them fully. This will give you a starting point for evaluating your organizational needs and provide you with ideas for your own handsizing strategy planning.
Soon, in another installment of this series, we’ll review handsizing hardware and accessory options and delve into the pros and cons of custom application options.
.BEGIN_SIDEBAR
.H1 Product availability and resources
For more information on XTNDConnect, visit http://www.extendsys.com/solutions/mdm.html.
For more information on Microsoft Outlook, visit http://www.microsoft.com/office/outlook/.
For more information on Lotus Notes, visit http://www.lotus.com or our sister publication, DominoPower Magazine, at http://www.dominopower.com.
For more information on Lotus Organizer, visit http://www.lotus.com/products/organizer5.nsf.
For more information on ACT!, visit http://www.act.com/home/default.php3.
For more information on SyncTalk, visit http://www.sodeog.com.
For more information on iMobile, visit http://www.synchrologic.com/about/about_imobile.html.
For more information on ThinkDB, visit http://www.thinkingbytes.com/thinkDB.html.
For more information on HanDBase, visit http://www.ddhsoftware.com.
For more information on TinySheet, visit http://www.iambic.com/pilot/tinysheet3/.
For more information on QuickSheet, visit http://www.cesinc.com/quicksheet/index.html.
For more information on Project\@Hand, visit http://www.natara.com/ProjectAtHand/index.cfm.
For more information on AvantGo, visit http://avantgo.com/enterprise/frontdoor/index.html.
For more information on Vvault, visit http://www.vvault.com.
For more information about Palm computers, visit http://www.palm.com.
.H1 Bulk reprints
Bulk reprints of this article (in quantities of 100 or more) are available for a fee from Reprint Services, a ZATZ business partner. Contact them at reprints@zatz.com or by calling 1-800-217-7874.
.END_SIDEBAR
.BIO Kathy Burns has been writing for over 15 years and has columns in a number of publications. Questions, comments and suggestions on her handsizing column are welcome and can be directed to PPENT@palmpilotfiles.com. In addition to writing, Kathy runs a large Palm OS-related Web site. You can browse the site at http://www.palmpilotfiles.com or view additional articles by Kathy at http://www.sasezpublications.com.
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