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FileMaker Launches Mobile Database

PDA version supports bar code scanning, data collection on the run.

Gillian Law, IDG News Service

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Users of FileMaker 's database software can now export and import information to and from handheld devices, and enter data from bar code scans, using a new version of the application, shipping this week.

The program, FileMaker Mobile 2.1, will work with both FileMaker Pro 5.5 v2 and the recently-released FileMaker Pro 6. It lets users transfer and synchronize the information on their desktop databases with Palm OS or Pocket PC 2002 products, according to FileMaker representatives. FileMaker Mobile 2.1 will be priced at $49, the company said.

Scanners Supported

FileMaker Mobile 2.1 users will also be able to scan bar code labels directly into FileMaker Pro databases using three Symbol Technologies products. It will interact with the SPS3000 scanner for iPaq devices, the CSM 150 bar code scanner attachment for Handspring's Visor personal digital assistants, and with Symbol's own Rugged Pocket PC PPT2800 handheld, FileMaker said in a statement.

Data transfer between the desktop and handheld database is managed using the handheld device's synchronization process, it said.

FileMaker Mobile 2.1 runs on handhelds with Pocket PC 2002, Palm OS 3.1 or later, and desktop PCs with Windows 2000, 98, Me, NT 4.0, XP, Mac OS X v10.1, or Mac OS 8.1 through 9.2. Mac OS X use requires use of Palm HotSync Manager 3.0 or Pocket PC 2002 ActiveSync 3.5.

Collect, Sync

Users can select and load the FileMaker data they want from a desktop PC or notebook to the Pocket PC or Palm OS handheld. Later, users can synchronize the data on the PDA back to the desktop database by using Pocket PC's ActiveSync or Palm HotSync technologies. "It gives us the additional capabilities of checking product SKUs and barcodes in our warehouses. Plus, the ability to run on Pocket PC is a huge advantage as it affords us more flexibility," said Chip Allan, manager of Kast-A-Way Swimwear, a retail distributor that has been testing FileMaker Mobile 2.1 on Pocket PC 2002 handheld devices. The company put the bar code scanning functions to work, he said.

FileMaker Mobile 2.1 will supplement use of FileMaker Pro at the Bloomington Public School District in Bloomington, Minnesota, which uses the program to manage and track grades, report cards, lunch counts, and other tasks. School district technician Jason Fouks says he manages computer repair work orders in FileMaker Pro.

"Now, I load my work orders into FileMaker Mobile 2.1 and while on-site at a school, both solve the problem and close out the work order eliminating the need to manually update the work order database upon return to the office--a real time saver," Fouks said.

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