.KEYWORD wdbas
.FLYINGHEAD MOBILE ENTERPRISE
.TITLE Wireless Database Access Server cures development headaches
.FEATURE
.SPOTLIGHT figalt cover.gif
.SUMMARY If the idea of developing wireless applications for the Palm OS seems intimidating, you need no longer worry. Steve Niles has details on Palm’s new Wireless Database Access Server for developers who need to create wireless applications that access corporate databases in real time.
.AUTHOR Steve Niles
If you’ve never done it before, the idea of developing wireless applications for the Palm OS can seem intimidating. Many enterprises might be worried that deploying their database applications wirelessly would take skills and money they don’t have. Palm addresses those concerns with its new WDBAS (Wireless Database Access Server) for developers in IT departments–or Systems Integrators–who need to create wireless applications that access corporate databases in real time. You can find more information at http://www.palm.com/enterprise/products/wdbas/.
WDBAS is the second element of Palm’s enterprise software strategy, following the introduction of the Palm i705 Wireless Messaging Solution for enterprises that was announced in late January. We covered that element in detail in the article, "The Palm i705 Wireless Messaging Solution satisfies the needs of today’s business world," in the April 2002 issue of PalmPower’s Enterprise Edition at http://www.palmpowerenterprise.com/issues/issue200204/thinairapps001.html.
.H1 Use the tools you know
I recently had a chance to speak with Palm’s Senior Product Manager, Evan Simeone, to learn more about WDBAS. According to Simeone, the WDBAS is designed to make it "As easy to develop enterprise applications as it is any desktop application." This is achieved by allowing you to use common development tools so that you only need to focus on solving the problems inherent to the software you’re creating. The WDBAS handles all the technical system level problems that come about when dealing with wireless architecture.
WDBAS lets you use familiar IDEs (Integrated Development Environments), such as AppForge (at http://www.appforge.com) and Metrowerks’ CodeWarrior (at http://www.metrowerks.com), to develop mobile applications and extend them so that remote users can access corporate data wirelessly. The familiar IDEs let you create "smart client" applications that are optimized for wireless and that take full advantage of real-time database access. According to Simeone, the components you create using these IDEs, "talk to the server that you install behind the firewall."
.H1 Data in real-time
There are basically two ways to update information on a Palm handheld. You can synchronize your handheld to your PC via a HotSync operation, or you can download data wirelessly. Both have pros and cons. For a mobile user, a synchronized application maintains data on the device and updates it only when the user synchronizes with his or her cradle. In this instance, the user doesn’t always have the most up-to-date information. A browser application lets the user have up-to-date information only if he or she is in the coverage area. If out of wireless coverage, the application cannot function.
Palm’s smart client approach sits between these methods. It lets you build an application that can access previously stored data while offline, but that can also take advantage of real-time data access so users have up-to-date information. WDBAS can also work with leading synchronization products to deliver hybrid smart-client applications combining the best of real-time data access and synchronization.
.H1 Functionality and benefits
WDBAS was designed with the following functionality and benefits in mind:
.H2 Builds applications fast
With WDBAS, enterprises can build or integrate wireless data-driven applications more quickly, using "pre-fab" pieces. No custom server development is required.
.H2 Lower cost of ownership
Since it’s modeled after typical wireline database applications for desktop and client-server applications, the WDBAS architecture uses tools and languages that are familiar to developers. This can minimize or eliminate training costs as well as speed development time.
.H2 Reduced risk, high quality
Extending corporate applications to multiple wireless devices can now be planned just like any other desktop project. Using standard tools, prototypes can be developed quickly, with less risk, and executed on a tight schedule.
WDBAS was designed for real-world deployment on today’s wireless networks. As a result, developers have control over how much data is returned from queries, and large result sets can be paged through a few records at a time.
.H2 Works with industry standards
The software comes with support for nearly every enterprise database, including Oracle, IBM DB2, Microsoft SQL Server, and Sybase. Enterprise applications, such as sales force automation, supply chain management, and customer relationship management, are built on these standard databases.
.H2 End-to-end security
WDBAS offers secure connectivity, incorporating Certicom’s encryption libraries. It also supports the SSL (Secure Socket Layer) for basic Internet security.
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.H1 Availability
Palm is releasing WDBAS developer seats now and will be making a WDBAS Enterprise Edition available later this year. The Enterprise Edition will include deployment licenses and additional advanced features.
Palm is creating a channel of enterprise systems integrators and corporate solution resellers who can offer development, integration, and support for WDBAS. These systems integrators and resellers will be trained by and work with Palm on business development as well as collaborate on the initial implementations of WDBAS.
The Wireless Database Access Server for developers is available now in the United States from two sources. Metrowerks has bundled it with CodeWarrior Enterprise Edition CD for the Palm OS platform at http://www.metrowerks.com/specialoffer/palmee/. AppForge has it available for use with Visual Basic at http://www.appforge.com.
If you’re attempting to deploy custom wireless applications in your enterprise, the Wireless Database Access Server can save you and your IT department a lot of headaches. According to Evan Simeone, this is just the beginning of Palm’s enterprise strategy. In the months to come, you can expect to see even more tools designed to make life even easier for developers working with the Palm OS.
.BEGIN_SIDEBAR
.H1 Product availability and resources
For more information on Wireless Database Access Server, visit http://www.palm.com/enterprise/products/wdbas/.
For more information on AppForge, visit http://www.appforge.com.
For more information on Metrowerks, visit http://www.metrowerks.com.
For more information on CodeWarrior Enterprise Edition CD for the Palm OS platform, visit http://www.metrowerks.com/specialoffer/palmee/.
For the article, "The Palm i705 Wireless Messaging Solution satisfies the needs of today’s business world," by Steve Niles in the April 2002 issue of PalmPower’s Enterprise Edition, visit http://www.palmpowerenterprise.com/issues/issue200204/thinairapps001.html.
For more information on Palm handhelds, visit http://www.palm.com.
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.BIO
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