Syncing up
Once channel content is created on the server, you can now sync your mobile device. AvantGo users have two ways of doing this -- by syncing the device in the cradle, or by having the mobile device directly connect to the network (either your company's internal TCP/IP network or the Internet) via wireless or modem link. Cradled users can synchronize on their own desktops, or on any desktop with a cradle that supports their device. This allows for group-syncing kiosks or distributed syncing stations where multiple users sharing an application can update the data on their mobile device.

Perhaps the most powerful aspect of AvantGo server is its ability to integrate with existing web applications running on Active Server pages, CGI and remote databases using ODBC. For example, you could have a form-based application on a Web server that requires users to key in information to update or query a database. Using a mobile device with an optimized version of the form for an AvantGo channel, you can submit data into the form and later update the server by syncing the device into a cradle or initiating a wireless network connection with a cellular modem. Figure D shows an example delivering customized stock quotes.

FIGURE D

This AvantGo Channel delivers stock quotes based on dynamic data. Click picture for a larger image.

The thin-client skinny
As you can see, AvantGo Server 2.11 provides robust Web application integration for handheld devices. While only enterprise environments may be able to afford its hefty $30,000 price tag, the price is comparatively low considering how easy it is to develop and deploy dynamic enterprise applications with it.

Jason Perlow is Senior Technical Editor with Windows CE Power Magazine. When he's not busy deploying enterprise application servers for Fortune 500 clients, he can be reached at perlow@hotmail.com.