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Why a reconfigurable form generator to capture data on mobile devices?
Currently, the development of customized applications for mobile devices is time-consuming and expensive. In most cases, an individual solution must be implemented. We offer a solution in order to develop applications to capture data by a graphical user interface (GUI) or by speech on mobile devices efficiently. A reconfigurable form generator allows the adaptation and configuration of a simple application which is generated for a mobile device. A Personal Digital Assistant (PDA) and Windows Mobile is used as mobile device. The reconfigurable form generator is running on a desktop computer and generates the application, the GUI and the voice user interface for the PDA. The generated application is intended to capture data and to issue commands supported by a GUI as well as by speech recognition. An important factor is usability and ergonomics of the system in order to allow end users without expert knowledge to build an application.
The Challenge
Modern industrial societies use information and communication technologies more and more at every time and every place. Mobile devices are used to provide information for users at different places. Usually, business processes for the industry or the government operate on a central server which controls the information flow and stores the data centrally. Mobile devices are used to support mobile business processes. It is well known, that standardized off the shelf software applications do not support the user entering and managing his data efficiently. A customized software application on the mobile device is needed to support the efficient management of user data. A tailored user interface fulfils the user requirements to enter data via different input possibilities. These different input possibilities are offered to the user by a "mobile data entry"-component (mde).
A Reconfigurable Form Generator for Mobile Devices
In order to allow end users a fast configuration of an application to capture data on mobile devices, we offer a reconfigurable form generator. The form generator generates a running application - consisting of a GUI and an optional speech user interface - for the PDA. The following figure shows the general idea of the reconfigurable form generator. The intended application to capture data is configured and adapted on a desktop computer.
The desktop application is based on a database and offers a graphical user interface to ease the task of the configuration.
A second component, the "communication"-component (realised as WEB service) synchronises the local data with the centrally stored data on a server. Additionally, this interface supports the user with functionalities to optimize his working process. Our solution consists of the mde and the communication component.
The following figure shows an example PDA application, automatically generated by the form generator.
The PRO DV solution
Our solution can be used to support all kinds of mobile business processes like:
- Controlling of Service Teams
- Mobile Sales and Customer Support
- Manufacturing Processes
- Agriculture and Forestry
- Field Services
The benefits of our solution
- Generation of a simple and mobile device oriented application to capture data.
- GUI generator
- easy to use
- reconfigurable, customisable
- adaptable
- inexpensive
- reusable
Intelligent input controls
Intelligent relations between the input control and the data associated with this control can be provided by the mde. Additionally, the mde manages the dependencies between input controls. Depending on the value of a certain control, GUI elements, related to this control can be filled with default values. Finally, this mechanism allows the developer to control the user's ability to enter data (set controls editable or not).
GPS and GIS
If the mobile device offers a Global Positioning System (GPS), the mde can determine the actual user position. In addition to the entered data, this position can be stored for later geospatial analysis (e.g. show all data in the spatial neighbourhood). Additionally, we can offer mobile GIS applications.
Technology
The application on the desktop computer is running on Windows XP. The data are stored in a SQL-Base or ORACLE database. The generated application on the PDA is running on Windows Mobile.
License Model
We offer licenses for the form generator, including licenses for the database of the desktop application. Optionally, we offer licenses for a speech recognition or text to speech user interface on the basis of Nuance technology.
PRO DV Software AG
As an IT specialist with sector and process expertise, we develop future-orientated products and solutions,
making full use of the geo and portal technology potentials. Open and interoperable applications are developed,
which we put into practice for public administrations, industry, energy and telecommunication suppliers.
With bunched competences of our sector-orientated divisions, experts' expertise of our technology centre,
and more than 25 years of experience on complex IT projects, we develop up-to-date solutions for your
business success, in favour of efficient operating procedures, reduced expenses, and a strengthened
customer-connectivity.
For more information, please contact PRO DV.