Following the success of its VisionForms technology, which improves information sharing and access across an organisation and its clients, enterprise software developer nVisionIT has announced availability of VisionForms Mobile. The new development gives users access to enterprise applications through Windows-based handheld computing devices.
VisionForms mobile is an application that can be deployed to mobile devices running Microsoft Pocket PC 2003. The mobile application allows users to connect to applications via Web services, effectively putting enterprise applications on to PDAs and cellphones. In the past mobile application required constant re-development each time new functionality was required, with VisionForms Mobile a new application can be added to the mobile device with little effort as the applications are dynamically discovered and configured - there is no additional development required.
According to Willem Viljoen, product manager at nVisionIT, the trend towards mobility has received a considerable boost with the availability of high performance, low cost devices such as Microsoft-powered smartphones and personal digital assistants (PDA).
"Mobile computing has taken a massive leap forward through the capability of devices that are offered free on high-end cellular packages. With Microsoft Pocket PC 2003, the Microsoft .Net framework is included on the device - it is this technology that the VisionForms Mobile technology takes advantage of," he says.
With a small footprint, VisionForms Mobile resides on the PDA or smartphone and allows secure access of any enterprise application using an internet or GPRS connection - whether the application is Microsoft-based or not. "As long as the application supports Web services, we can integrate into it and deliver information back to the mobile device," Viljoen explains.
He says the value of such solutions is considerable. "For example, a business intelligence application can be accessed remotely, invoking a report with the particular parameters required by the sales director. The report can be generated in the BI application and the report delivered back to the PDA. Because the processing and the application itself are resident in the back office, this process can be achieved rapidly and delivered with low bandwidth," he says.
While not restricted to BI applications, Viljoen notes that the introduction of VisionForms Mobile is a step towards pervasive organisational intelligence, which will equip businesses to become more flexible even as the workforce becomes increasingly mobile.
"VisionForms Mobile harnesses the power of Windows-based handheld devices in conjunction with the developments made by cellular networks for faster data transfer. With the technology, mobile workforces have the ability to access all their company data remotely, allowing them to be more efficient, and make more informed decisions," he adds.
VisionForms Mobile is available immediately as a stand-alone solution, or bundled with VisionForms.
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