EM 424 Building SmartClient Wireless Applications Alex Reif
EM 424 Building Smart-Client Wireless Applications Alex Reif Product Manager i. Anywhere Solutions areif@sybase. com
Agenda Introduction to the Wireless Landscape Building Smart-Client Applications Summary
Emerging Mobile Application Areas Commerce Banking, trading Insurance Healthcare Point of care Prescriptions Retail/Hospitality Point of activity ERP Mobile SAP
Expectations Data access at all times Require ‘always available’ applications Enterprise integration Access to various kinds of corporate data • Oracle, Sybase, IBM, MS • ERP (SAP, People. Soft) • CRM (Siebel) Increased productivity More efficient data entry Reduce time to market
m-Business Challenges Ever-changing wireless environment slows time to market Technical barriers – complex nature of wireless solutions Wireless communications are slow and expensive
i. Anywhere Solutions The Wireless Challenges Solves the Complexity Challenge: Speed and Cost Thin client mind-set, limited coverage • Unique ‘Always Available’ platform Lowensures bandwidthfast, networks means slow applications reliable access Limited battery life foratwireless transmissions to information a lower cost Challenge: Time To Market Lack of understanding • Experience and proven technology enables Competitive pressure faster time to market with reduced risk Challenge: Complexity • All major networks, devices, and operating systems Connection “stew” Multiple device, roll-out, network, optimized and security 7 x 24 characteristics • Solution network center, Emerging, multiple standards customer support
i. Anywhere Solutions m-Business Platform
Business Case for Always Available Real-world Problems Always in Wireless Available Architecture Low bandwidth Coverage and penetration Battery life Problems Solved • Less data transferred • Faster response/ lower cost • Work offline/ synch later • Work anywhere, anytime • Connect when necessary • Dependability
Key Benefits ‘Always Available’ access to enterprise data • Mobile data store • Data synchronization Ability to publish content to multiple devices and browsers • J 2 EE Wireless framework Access to Enterprise Data • RDBMS, ERP Systems, CRM Systems, mainframe, legacy Security • Support for data encryption, authentication and authorization
Application Preview
Architectural Map Smart Client Mobile Data Store Device Identification Data Synchronization Content Transformation Messaging Security Enterprise Integration CRM Mainframe ERP Database
Smart Client Development Topics Smart Client Characteristics Development Overview Mobile Data Store Synchronization Messaging
Characteristics of Smart Client Persistent data Mobile data store High-performance data access Data Synchronization Integration with the Enterprise
Characteristics of Smart Client Messaging Push important data to mobile devices Rich user experience Contains business logic Sophisticated User Interface Palm, Pocket. PC, EPOC, RIM, Java clients
Development Overview Mobile Data Store C/C++ or Java SQL or data access APIs Data Synchronization SQL Messaging C/C++ or Java Rich User Interface C/C++ or Java
Other Mobile Data Storage Options Proprietary APIs Palm DB, Flat File Custom-coded solutions Customer built data structures, searching, sorting, and synchronization ‘Shrunk-down’ enterprise database Vendor reduces capabilities of enterprise database to make it fit on small devices
Other Mobile Data Storage Limitations Proprietary APIs One table per ‘database’ Poor performance Limited capabilities Custom-coded solutions Very resource intensive Increased risk Increased maintenance costs ‘Shrunk-down’ enterprise database Pre-chosen limited functionality Architecture not geared for mobile and wireless devices
Mobile Data Store The i. Anywhere Solution Advantages of SQL Synchronization to industry standard enterprise databases (robust and secure) Extremely small footprint Hand-coded speed Reduced requirements for platform specific knowledge
Mobile Data Store Development Process Step Step 1: 2: 3: 4: 5: Develop application code Invoke Analyzer Compile Deploy Setup Synchronization
Mobile Data Store How it Works Reference Database SQL / Data Access Code Application Code i. Anywhere Analyzer Customized Data Store Runtime Libraries (Data Store) Compiler Linker Application and Embedded Data Store
Mobile Data Store Features SQL compliant Referential integrity Transaction processing Multi-table joins Bi-directional cursors Customized for your application Footprint as low as 50 K Data structures and algorithms designed for in-memory database
Mobile Data Store Features Performance Support for indexes Pre-optimized queries Large storage capacity Integrated synchronization
Building the Smart Client Application Step 1: Modify GUI • Add alert, menu item Step 2: Step 3: Add data store code Add “glue” code • Attach data store code to GUI Step 4: Compile/deploy
Data Synchronization Architecture Database Server Synchronization Server Remote Computers
Data Synchronization How it Works Consolidated Data Store 1. Upload Rows smart Smart Client 2. Download Rows 3. Confirm Receipt Database Server ODBC Synchronization Server
Data Synchronization Integration Features Synchronize to industry standard databases Oracle 8, Microsoft SQL Server, IBM DB 2 UDB, Sybase ASE, Sybase ASA Synchronization scripts are in native language of the enterprise database Synchronize to other enterprise data sources SAP, Siebel, People. Soft etc Accommodated using adapters in server All synchronization is bi-directional
Data Synchronization Simple Example The upload_cursor script is used to insert, update, or delete rows in the consolidated database SELECT emp_id, emp_fname, emp_lname FROM employee WHERE emp_id = ? The download_cursor script is used to insert or update rows in the mobile data store SELECT emp_id, emp_fname, emp_lname FROM employee
Data Synchronization Key Features Security Built-in authentication 128 -bit encryption of communication between client and synchronization server Support for subsetting of data Support for horizontal and vertical partitioning of data Scalable Support for thousands of remote users
Data Synchronization Conflict Detection Features Conflicts arise when sending data to enterprise database Data Store maintains old value and current value Synchronization server compares old values with consolidated database • If old values match there is no conflict • If old values do not match there IS a conflict Conflict Resolution Fully customizable by developer Scripts written in native language of enterprise database • Can execute stored procedures or user-defined resolutions steps
Building Smart Client Applications Data Synchronization
Messaging Message Delivery Store and forward message queuing Guaranteed message delivery Push capabilities Delivery and non-delivery acknowledgements Intelligent (program to program)
Messaging JMS Interface JMS provider for Messaging Server Asynchronous communication from enterprise applications to wireless devices Or between enterprise applications Properties are exposed for communication IP address Server port Provider name
Messaging Services Network and Device Support Networks ARDIS, Mobitex, CDPD, Data. TAC, NORCOM, Analog cellular, GSM, CDMA, Wireless LAN Paging networks HDML alerts, email, SMS Devices Palm, Pocket. PC, DOS, Windows, EPOC, RIM, phone
Summary
i. Anywhere Solutions m-Business Platform
m-Business Platform Key Features Data synchronization services Messaging services Content delivery services Enterprise integration services Application services End-to-end security Wireless gateway services
Data Synchronization Services Mobile Data Store High performance SQL compliant Customized for your application Data Synchronization Scalable, reliable bidirectional synchronization Script based, written in the native language of the RDBMS Advanced conflict detection and resolution Scripts use standard SQL Enterprise events can initiate data synchronization
Messaging Services Store and forward message queuing Push message delivery Guaranteed message delivery Delivery and non-delivery acknowledgements Intelligent (program-to-program) or simple (e-mail, SMS, paging) Messaging architecture based on Java Messaging Service (JMS)
End-to-End Security Open standards-based approach allows for integration with existing security systems Addresses new security issues unique to wireless environment Integrates with existing firewall, Virtual Private Network (VPN) and PKI technologies Supports WTLS for encrypting communication with WAP-enabled devices
End-to-End Security Authentication, Authorization, Encryption • • Flexible options for user authentication Several options for role-based security Simplifies adding SSL support to your applications Security management tools Data Synchronization • Full user authentication • 128 bit encryption using Certicom
Summary Smart Client applications provide ‘always available’ access to your data Mobile data store Enterprise synchronization Advanced messaging Overcome the challenges of wireless computing Low bandwidth Unreliable coverage Battery consumption
i. Anywhere Solutions Highlights Ask the Experts - about Mobile & Wireless Solutions Mezzanine Level Room 15 B Mon. /Tues. 11: 30 am - 3: 30 pm; Wed. 11: 30 - 1: 30; Thurs. 9 am - 12 noon Exhibit Hall - Demo Center (truck) exhibit hall hours SIG (Special Interest Group) Tuesday 5: 30 pm Mobile & Wireless SDCC, Upper level, Room 11 Keynote - Enabling m-Business Solutions Wednesday 1: 30 pm - 3: 00 pm i. Anywhere Solutions Developer Community Excellent resource for commonly asked questions, newsgroups, bug fixes, newsletters, event listings - visit www. ianywhere. com/developer
Questions?
EM 424 Building Smart-Client Wireless Applications Alex Reif Product Manager i. Anywhere Solutions areif@sybase. com
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