ForceField Mobile SFA

ForceField Mobile SFA (salesforce automation) is an extensible application that works like a remote control. It puts the power of the office into the hands of salespeople, letting them be with their customers rather than in the office.

All data is stored on the mobile PDA while also being able to operate real-time when a connection is present.

The development tool creates XML files that define the client-side user interface (UI), with embedded JavaScript for client-side logic. Developers create applications that directly manipulate individual client components via a server's responses to HTTP requests or via embedded JavaScript functions that are linked to UI events.

The deployment engine runs on various mobile devices, including handhelds, tablets, and laptop PCs. It interprets and executes XML applications that are downloaded from a host server (similar to reading web pages).

Since these XML pages are hosted, deployment overhead is essentially eliminated when installing new versions of the applications. The user can get the latest version by simply clicking a button while online, the devices do not need to be brought back into the home office to be restaged.

Successful mobile applications must be able to run when disconnected from the network, due to coverage dead spots or restrictions on use of wireless devices in certain areas (e.g. medical facilities). This results in the need to store data locally on the mobile device. Jargon Reader can store low-volume data automatically in text and table components. Embedded SQL databases (such as the Oracle Lite Database from Oracle Corporation) are used for higher volume storage requirements.

Client-host synchronization is achieved at the application level, resulting in more efficiency and eliminating the need for additional mobile middleware.

Jargon Writer

Jargon Writer is a platform-neutral and language-neutral development system that uses XML to construct a mobile application's graphical user interfaces with a robust yet lightweight set of components, an event handling framework, and locally executed procedures. A generic HTTP interface is used to run procedures on remote hosts via middleware products or built-in web server features such as Active Server Pages (ASP) or PHP scripts. The HTTP interface can also request text documents, images and other files from any server on the network to which the client is connected. FTP uploads and downloads are also supported.

Jargon Writer uses a point-and-click, drag-and-drop WYSIWYG layout editor with fill-in-the blanks attribute tables, and a text editor for writing JavaScript functions. It also includes PDA Emulator and Windows versions of the Jargon Reader deployment products so that developers can run applications as they are being developed to see how they look and behave.

Jargon Reader

Jargon Reader deployment products are a family of high-performance client engines that use a patented methodology to automatically download and execute the XML-based applications developed with Jargon Writer.

Using the information in these XML client application files, Jargon Reader renders (draws) the graphical user interface and executes logic functions in response to user interface events such as selecting a button. Various peripherals such as barcode readers, mag-card readers, RFID readers and mobile printers are also supported.

Versions of Jargon Reader have been written for the following client platforms:

• Jargon Reader for Pocket PC runs on WinCE and PocketPC-based handheld devices including HP, Dell and Symbol
• Jargon Reader for Windows runs on all 32-bit Windows PC platforms (Windows 95/98/ME/NT/2000/XP)