FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
For more information contact:
Shari Worthington, PR Counsel, +1 508.755.5242
Frank Yacano, Director of Business Development, +1 617.497.1300
SYWARE Announces Visual CE Version 8, Major New Release of Rapid
Application Development Environment for Windows Mobile & Pocket PC Devices
Visual CE 8 Adds Expanded Variable and Alarm Functions, 'One-Click' Bar Code
Support, and SMS Messaging to Award-Winning Database and Forms Development
Software
Cambridge, MA (December 2, 2003)- SYWARE, Inc., a leading developer of
intuitive database tools for business and personal productivity, today
announced Version 8 of Visual CE, the award-winning rapid application
development software for database and forms development on Microsoft
Windows Mobile and Pocket PC handheld computers. Designed for a wide range
of applications, from patient tracking to field force automation, Visual CE
Version 8 provides a powerful array of mobile development tools, all within
an easy-to-use, 'no programming required' environment. The latest release
enhances the software with an emphasis on flexibility for both the developer
and the mobile user. New features include a significantly expanded array of
uses for variables, additional alarm functions, support for sounds and the
creation of image maps, built-in support for 'one-click' bar code scanning
using Socket's ultra-small In-Hand Scan Cards, and the ability to send SMS
messages directly from within a database application.
"We've seen an explosion in creativity in the types of applications for
which handhelds are being used, from monitoring medical services in third
world countries to tracking homing pigeons," said Sy Danberg, President of
SYWARE. "As a result, our emphasis has been on adding an even more flexible
array of functions to Visual CE. Support for more peripheral devices,
additional messaging and alarm functionality, all are part of our dictate to
provide the most powerful yet easy to use application development
environment for the mobile world."
Powerful Variable, Alarm, and Image Functions
With Visual CE 8, expanded support for variables provides a new level of
flexibility for developers. Controls such as edit controls, radio buttons,
command buttons, and jump buttons can now be connected to variables. This
allows developers to create actions based on data not stored in the
database, such as jumping to a new function based on data entered by a user.
In addition, lookups, grids, and the content of dropdown menus can be keyed
to variables. Variables can also be used in filter conditions, allowing
developers to define a filter based on a value entered by the user. For
instance, a developer can predefine a filter based on a department name
specified when the form is run. When a store clerk uses the form, he can
enter the department name and see only items in that particular department.
Visual CE 8 now supports up to 100 variables per application.
Additional functions in Visual CE 8 provide a more flexible user experience.
Alarms can now be set on records, such as to create a reminder to call a
contact; the alarm can trigger a pop-up message that contains either data
from a record or pre-defined, static text. In addition, buttons now support
the handheld devices built-in array of sounds. This allows developers to
incorporate an assortment of beeps and buzzes into forms.
Visual CE 8 also allows any bitmapped image to be placed on a button.
Developers can arrange a series of such buttons in a particular sequence to
create 'image maps'; clicking on a particular portion of the entire image
can cause a specific action to occur. For instance, a physician can click on
the forearm of an illustration of the human body to bring up a form for
recording a patient's specific symptoms.
Bar Code Scanning
Visual CE 8 provides expanded functionality for bar code scanning. In
addition to the previously announced support for Symbol's PPT 2700 Pocket PC
with integrated bar code scanner, Visual CE now supports Socket
Communications' new line of In-Hand Scan Cards. Designed for applications
requiring extensive data entry, such as inventory management, support for
Socket's plug-in scanner cards allows developers to directly integrate
scanning into their database applications. Quick and efficient, 'one-click',
software triggers can be used to start bar code scans instead of the
traditional, two-handed, manual process. Once the bar code data is scanned
into Visual CE, reports can be created using SYWARE's Report CE, the
printing and report writing software for Pocket PCs.
Mobile Messaging
Visual CE 8 also supports SMS messaging on Pocket PC or Pocket PC Phone
Edition devices. This means mobile users can send SMS messages directly from
within a database application. For example, truck drivers can let building
contractors know exactly when a particular shipment will arrive. Or forest
rangers can send quick updates to the field office. No additional hardware
is required for SMS messaging on Pocket PC Phone Edition devices. Pocket PC
devices can use a GPRS card, or a Bluetooth or tethered connection to a
regular cell phone.
Royalty-free Distribution, Wireless Connectivity, Report Writing
Royalty-free distribution of Visual CE applications means developers can
quickly deploy their programs throughout the company at a fraction of the
cost of any other database program on the market. Integration with mEnable,
SYWARE's breakthrough wireless architecture, extends handheld applications
with real-time, interactive access to server data allowing mobile devices to
be easily integrated with enterprise business processes. Visual CE also
works in conjunction with Report CE, the world's only report writing tool
for Windows CE and Pocket PC handhelds.
Pricing & Delivery
Visual CE 8 applications can be created on any Microsoft Windows Mobile,
Windows CE, or Pocket PC handheld, as well as on any Windows-based desktop
system. Visual CE Lite Edition is priced at $79, quantity one. Visual CE
Personal Edition, with full forms design, relational database, and
synchronization capabilities, is priced at $129, quantity one. Visual CE
Professional Edition includes all the features of Personal Edition and
royalty-free distribution rights; it is available for $399. Visual CE
Enterprise Edition includes all the features of the Professional Edition
plus SYWARE's Report CE software; it is priced at $599.
About SYWARE
SYWARE, Inc. is a leading developer of mobile database tools for business
and personal productivity. Founded in 1990, the company offers innovative
data management and connectivity software for use in a wide range of
applications, including patient monitoring, inventory management, and field
surveys. The cornerstone of SYWARE's product line is Visual CE, the
award-winning database and forms development tool for Windows Mobile and
Windows CE handhelds used by such companies as FedEx, Hollywood Video,
Chevron, and US Geological Survey. SYWARE is also the creator of mEnable, a
flexible software architecture for real-time wireless access to enterprise
data located on corporate servers, and FoneDB, the first database software
for Microsoft Smartphone devices. For more information, please visit
http://www.syware.com.
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EDITORS: Photography available on request
For further information, contact:
Frank Yacano, Director of Business Development
SYWARE, Inc.
PO Box 425091
Kendall, Cambridge, MA 02142 USA
+1 617.497.1300, Fax: +1 617.497.8729
Email: frank@syware.com, Web: www.syware.com
PR Office:
Shari Worthington, President
Telesian Technology Inc.
49 Midgley Lane
Worcester, MA 01604 USA
+1 508.755.5242, Fax: +1 508.795.1636
Email: sharilee@syware.com
2003 SYWARE, Inc. All rights reserved. SYWARE, Visual CE, Report CE, and
mEnable are registered trademarks of SYWARE, Inc. FoneDB is a trademark of
SYWARE, Inc. Other product and service names mentioned here are trademarks
of their respective owners.
