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The "Calls" application shows how a field sales rep can manage customer
sales call information using a Pocket PC mobile handheld device.
Although simple, this generic demo application is fully functional and can be
used as a starting point for a more elaborate application.
This application works both in fully on-line mode, and
in situations where wireless coverage is spotty, such as remote geographic
locations or inside buildings which block or prohibit wireless connections.
When full-time coverage is available, a rep can work completely on-line,
with real-time access and updates to the server at the home office which
has the central database of customers and sales calls information.
When coverage is unreliable, the rep can download previous calls for his
or her customers at the start of the day where coverage is available. Then,
during the day, while traveling in and out of coverage areas, the rep can
enter new call information in an off-line ("local") mode.
New call information is saved in a table on the device as long as necessary.
When the rep is back in an area where online coverage is good, the saved
calls can be submitted to the home office server so that the central database
can be updated.
Running the Sales Calls demo:
Click "Sales Calls" from the PDA Demo Menu. The XML file containing the application
will be downloaded and cached. (This only happens the FIRST time, unless you "Reset"
the cached apps).
The initial screen shows a Sales Rep Login window. Use sales rep
"DKP" (this should default from the PDA Demo Login window), and
click the "Login" button. No password is needed for the demo.
(Note: Leave the "Local Mode" checkbox unchecked for now. If it is checked, the
next step will not be done and no calls will be downloaded).
If "Local Mode" is NOT checked, the program will contact the host (the Jargon
Software web site demo database in this case) to download previous call information
for this rep's customers. (Note: in a real application, the rep might select
which customers' notes to download).
A "Call List" table will be displayed in a new window,
with 9 or more calls listed. Use the vertical and horizontal scroll bars
to see more calls and more pieces of information about each call. Each
customer call is assigned a unique number. If it is a followup to a previous
call, the previous call number is shown in the "Ref#" column (scroll right
to see this after the Call# column).
To add a followup to one of the existing calls, click on the row that contains
that call, then click the "Followup" button at the bottom. A "Customer
Call Notes" screen will be displayed. Enter some call notes in the multi-line
text area.
When the call text has been entered, clicking the Submit button will send
the new call information to the central server (online) as well as adding
it to the end of the Call List table on the handheld device.
Now enter a new call in local mode (offline). Click the "Login" button
to return to the Login window, check the "Local Mode" checkbox, then click "Login"
to return to the Call Notes window.
Now click the "New Call" button, then enter a customer number
at the top, followed by call text, then click Submit. The call data will only
be added to the local Call List table and will not yet be submitted to
the central server.
To review an existing call, click the "Call List" button to see all the
calls, click on a row to select a call, then click the "View Call" button.
The information from the previous call will be displayed in the "Call Notes"
window. If changes or additions to the call text are desired, enter them
and then submit as in steps 5 or 6 to save the changed call information.
When ready to submit all new and changed calls to the central server, uncheck
the "Local Mode" checkbox on the "Login" window if it was checked,
then click the Call List button. On the "Call List" window, click the "Submit
All" button to submit only the new or changed call information to the central server.
- To end the demo and return to the demo menu, click "Exit" and then OK
the goodbye message.
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