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Wireless Networks

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    Wireless Networks

    Hello

    One of our key A5 desktop applications is for workshops who service, inspect and maintain trucks.

    It would be useful if mechanics could use a Windows 7 device within a wireless network for entering and updating data.

    We looked at wireless networks a few years back and quite honestly a pigeon with a note strapped to its leg could have communicated faster!

    Has anyone any experience of running a desktop application on a network wifi - say 10 users?

    Thank you for your help. It is much appreciated.

    Kind regards

    Alex
    Database Software Solutions Limited
    www.dbasesolution.co.uk
    http://www.precise360.co.uk
    PRECISE360 -
    LYNCHPIN -

    #2
    Re: Wireless Networks

    SQL or DBF?
    What Win7 device?
    See our Hybrid Option here;
    https://hybridapps.example-software.com/


    Apologies to anyone I haven't managed to upset yet.
    You are held in a queue and I will get to you soon.

    Comment


      #3
      Re: Wireless Networks

      Hello Giles

      dbf

      and Panasonic Tuffbooks i5s

      Many thanks

      Alex
      Database Software Solutions Limited
      www.dbasesolution.co.uk
      http://www.precise360.co.uk
      PRECISE360 -
      LYNCHPIN -

      Comment


        #4
        Re: Wireless Networks

        I use a net gear router and it seems to handle around 10 connections real fine.
        Mostly for internet, but do run a couple laptops at a time + another desktop. No problems with this system up to about 100 yards.
        Very quick as well.
        Dave Mason
        [email protected]
        Skype is dave.mason46

        Comment


          #5
          Re: Wireless Networks

          Look at using RDP or TSPlus and a server that will handle ten users in remote sessions.

          Wireless networks are too sporadic to run in a thick client environment.

          And performance is much better.

          You are only displaying the screen on the remote device rather than transferring data to and from the remote device.
          Al Buchholz
          Bookwood Systems, LTD
          Weekly QReportBuilder Webinars Thursday 1 pm CST

          Occam's Razor - KISS
          Normalize till it hurts - De-normalize till it works.
          Advice offered and questions asked in the spirit of learning how to fish is better than someone giving you a fish.
          When we triage a problem it is much easier to read sample systems than to read a mind.
          "Make it as simple as possible, but not simpler."
          Albert Einstein

          http://www.iadn.com/images/media/iadn_member.png

          Comment


            #6
            Re: Wireless Networks

            Hello Muir.
            I did this configuration with A5 V9 for the NHS reviewing chronic diseases in the home.
            When the toughbook came back into wifi range the db was updated.
            Shadowed installation.
            A5 ran well on the Panasonics.
            Depending on the wifi spread, you may need a few repeaters dotted about.
            Suggest to build a micky mouse app and run it on the server and a toughbook while walking about the workshop. You will see the strength of the connection.
            See our Hybrid Option here;
            https://hybridapps.example-software.com/


            Apologies to anyone I haven't managed to upset yet.
            You are held in a queue and I will get to you soon.

            Comment


              #7
              Re: Wireless Networks

              Ted

              Firstly, for some reason I keep addressing you by your surname!!
              Please accept my apologies. I'm getting old!
              Thanks for your input.

              An option that is starting to be asked for by customers is for their fitters to enter the data on jobs via an iPad.

              Have you any experience of running a A5V12 desktop on a wireless network using iPads?
              Or using iPads as workstations to an A5V10-12 application?

              Many thanks

              Alex
              Database Software Solutions Limited
              www.dbasesolution.co.uk
              http://www.precise360.co.uk
              PRECISE360 -
              LYNCHPIN -

              Comment


                #8
                Re: Wireless Networks

                Alpha, desktop versions, run under Windows and won't run on an iPad.
                There can be only one.

                Comment


                  #9
                  Re: Wireless Networks

                  Originally posted by Stan Mathews View Post
                  Alpha, desktop versions, run under Windows and won't run on an iPad.
                  Hi Stan

                  Is there not emulation software that will allow you to run Windows applications on an iPad?
                  The only emulation software I have experience of was running Unix under Windows which was a bit like the pigeon mentioned above!

                  Thank you for your help.
                  Kind regards

                  Alex
                  Database Software Solutions Limited
                  www.dbasesolution.co.uk
                  http://www.precise360.co.uk
                  PRECISE360 -
                  LYNCHPIN -

                  Comment


                    #10
                    Re: Wireless Networks

                    Not for an iPad or any other tablet as far as I am aware. There is something called Parallels that is supposed to allow the operation of Windows programs on iMacs, desktop or laptop. I have not heard much good from those attempting to use it to run Alpha.

                    Doubtless one of the reasons A5V12 has Mobile/Browser and Tablet Optimized forums for those using "other devices".

                    What is available are remote desktop apps which allow you to connect to a desktop and operate it as if sitting in front of it.
                    Last edited by Stan Mathews; 03-29-2018, 08:52 AM.
                    There can be only one.

                    Comment


                      #11
                      Re: Wireless Networks

                      Actually, you can run Alpha V12 on an iPad but not installed. You need to install Microsoft's Remote Desktop app on your iPad. Then you need to set up RDP on the server. Then using the WEB and WiFi you can remotely connect to your alpha app. The only issue is your form may need to be sized differently to fit comfortably on the iPad. I'm running 2 Alpha apps this way.
                      Alpha 5 Version 11
                      AA Build 2999, Build 4269, Current Build
                      DBF's and MySql
                      Desktop, Web on the Desktop and WEB

                      Ron Anusiewicz

                      Comment


                        #12
                        Re: Wireless Networks

                        I took a different approach using SQL as the Db on a server.
                        The Alpha side runs on desktops, with a SQL backend.
                        Then there is a mobile App which can be sized for phones or tablets. Due to the limitations of phones and tablets, the screens need to have a different design and feel. No RDP stuff so it's usable on any device with wifior 4g connectivity and a browser.
                        Users can choose to use dt or mobile, however mobile does require either wifi or 4g to work reasonably well.
                        Not all the app needs to be on SQL, just the data used to update the tables if you choose to use a hybrid dbf/sql arrangement.

                        Plusses amd minus to both approaches
                        See our Hybrid Option here;
                        https://hybridapps.example-software.com/


                        Apologies to anyone I haven't managed to upset yet.
                        You are held in a queue and I will get to you soon.

                        Comment


                          #13
                          Re: Wireless Networks

                          Ted, how is the desktop app interacting with the SQL tables? Web component on the desktop? Active-link tables?
                          Finian

                          Comment


                            #14
                            Re: Wireless Networks

                            Hi Finian, it's Active-Link - no Web component as that would require a WAS license.
                            The objective was to slim down the updating details to the bare minimum. In my case, the web side recorded Met/Not Met/Partially Met, Date, Examiner and a few notes for a situation.

                            In Alex's situation - and I am making a huge assumption here - is that there are only so many things a mechanic would really need to record for a given vehicle.
                            Example;
                            Job Code
                            Time Started
                            Time Finished
                            Unexpected Events (cross threaded bolts, incorrect parts)
                            Tick list of things done if servicing

                            What isn't required is the rest of the bumph that makes up an application.
                            So the SQL side is just a very brief recording of events and could be imported to the main application for more detailed stuff like billing - OK a bit of redundancy - but very simple to set up and use.
                            Only the bare essentials need to be on the SQL side to reduce the Alpha SQL speed issues occasionally experienced.
                            See our Hybrid Option here;
                            https://hybridapps.example-software.com/


                            Apologies to anyone I haven't managed to upset yet.
                            You are held in a queue and I will get to you soon.

                            Comment


                              #15
                              Re: Wireless Networks

                              Ted, I have a similar requirement updating a DT app running on remote laptops then pushing records when the device is detecting wireless/wired connection. For Active-Link tables, how do you prevent insert/update if no connection is available as I believe it's instant on a per record basis? I have to start on this project next month...hoping to avoid bumbling through. Documentation is a bit spotty on this topic.
                              Last edited by menehune; 03-29-2018, 04:28 PM. Reason: kant spel goode

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