With the introduction of the iPhone several years ago, growth in smartphones have become pervasive in the business world, allowing users to send and receive e-mail, access the internet, manage documents, etc.  While slowing in popularity, other specialty handheld devices that marry multiple functions such as voice, barcode scanning and GPS into one device have also continued to see significant growth, offering wireless connectivity using Wi-Fi or the internet and supporting robust solutions for use in retail, wholesale, and manufacturing environments.

All of these devices are now routinely used to collect and share data, and peripherals such as bar-code scanners, credit card readers and small-footprint wireless printers have made smartphones and handhelds invaluable tools for today's workforce.

N-Sight recognized these trends early on and has spent the past eight years promoting development of smartphone and handheld-based business solutions.  These solutions work in several different ways.  The more traditional applications allow data to be downloaded onto the user's device, modified while the user is out of the office or on the road, and used to update the main database when the users return to the office or while still out in the field.  Others allow for access to data on a real-time basis using a mobile-oriented interface either through a local area network or over the web.

FileMaker Go

In 2010, FileMaker introduced FileMaker Go for use on the iPhone.  FileMaker Go provides access to databases created with FileMaker Pro and hosted on FileMaker Server or FileMaker Pro - ideal for mobile teams.  FileMaker Go can access databases on a Mac or PC using a local wireless network or over the Internet via Wi-Fi or 3G.  All changes are instantly updated in the hosted file. Some of FileMaker Go's features include:

• Save records as PDF and email as an attachment

• Save a copy of a database and email file

• Add, open, and email photos

• Import FileMaker Pro records via scripts

• Add, modify, or delete information

• Find, sort, and navigate through records

• Display data in familiar Form, Table, and List views

• View information in portals, tabs, or Web Viewers

• Search for information using Quick Find

• Connect to External SQL Data Sources (requires database to be hosted via FileMaker Server or FileMaker Pro)

Typical uses for FileMaker Go include:

• Conduct inventory checks while in the warehouse

• Generate sales orders at a customer site

• Track shipping and receiving activities

• Check in attendees onsite for an event

• Update project status while traveling

• Add research notes while in the field

• Evaluate employee performance while in the field

Alternative Solutions

N-Sight also supports more other handheld databases, including HanDBase, which provides the ability to work with Blackberry devices, Windows Mobile devices, Symbian OS devices, Palm OS devices, and most recently, the iPhone.  Using HanDBase's SyncExchange for ODBC, HanDBase's handheld databases can be synchronized with FileMaker desktop or server applications operating in Windows or Mac OS environments.

Finally, N-Sight is proud to be an official Symbol Technologies Business Partner and a Palm OS developer.

To learn more about how N-Sight has put smartphones and other handheld devices to work for its clients, look at our Case Studies section.

To discuss possible smartphone or PDA solutions for your organization or business, please call us toll-free at 1.866.640.3030 or locally at 404.847.9595, click here to send us an e-mail, or click here to go to our web form.

N-Sight Consulting LLC
331 Carpenter Drive, NE - Suite 10
Atlanta, Georgia 30328

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