Windows Mobile Editor Anthony Newman already knew that Pocket PCs were versatile, but the latest version of Syware's Visual CE proved the point.
Syware's Visual CE 8 is the leading solution for those wishing to develop databases or collect data directly from their Pocket PC, without any need for programming knowledge. Since we last reviewed the program at version 7, Syware have added another smattering of features - so let’s have a look at just what it can do.
 | Syware's form creation is powerful to say the least
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Saying exactly what it does do isn’t an easy task, in the same way as there’s a problem clarifying exactly what duct tape can be used for. Visual CE is a versatile program: one can use it to maintain a contacts database, collect inventory information, track patients, or any number of other applications. To this end, Visual CE can interface with a number of data-collection tools, including GPS devices, and indeed anything else that uses the Pocket PC’s serial port. Version 8 has added special support for certain Socket and Symbol devices, extending the versatility of the application still further.
In addition, Visual CE supports a bewildering array of mathematical functions and variables (extended since the last version), picture support and synchronization between multiple handheld devices to the same desktop database. In the latest version the connectivity aspects of the program have been emphasized, with the ability to send SMS messages from within the program itself and the addition of more powerful synchronization features, especially in the premium Enterprise version.
Other new features expand and tweak the power and interface of Visual CE, allowing an increased number of variables, more ubiquitous use of images and buttons, the assignment of alarms to records and wider sound features. The button layout and display options have been streamlined to make the selection and display of data easier and more efficient.
On top of the main application itself, the Syware site offers add-on tools and sample files to get users started - a simple expense tracker is installed with the program itself and functions as the basis for the crystal-clear tutorials in the manual. Syware help to compensate for the intimidating feature-set of the program by providing a great amount of help, both in a comprehensive FAQ on the web and in the form of a large manual, available in PDF, print and HTML on the device itself. Of course, they also have support lines and e-mail addresses for when users get really stuck.
Visual CE is available in a few different flavours to satisfy different user groups. The cheapest and simplest version is 'Lite', at $79 USD, which still has more than enough features to handle database and form creation for many users, although it cannot synchronize or handle some of the more sophisticated controls. The Personal, Professional and Enterprise editions differ largely in their capacity to manage data: in terms of synchronization, access and transmission. A full feature list is available on the Syware website, of course, and they kindly provide an upgrade path whereby users simply pay the difference between their current and upgraded version should they find that they need more features.
After a table has been created and columns specified, the program can even generate a form for data entry, which is the only way of directly interacting with the information stored in the table. In the more expensive versions of Visual CE, standalone forms can be distributed royalty-free for use on other devices that don't have the program installed, and Syware were intelligent enough to include access controls for just such an occasion - creating the possibility of a reference work done entirely in Visual CE.
Forms can be customized to create quite sophisticated and attractive layouts, including pictures, colours and sounds. There are 16 different control types available, including the obvious check boxes, text fields and numbers, but also more sophisticated controls that reference other tables and perform more complicated functions with the data available.
Once a few records have been entered or imported from another program, one can take a look at the data, sort it in a variety of ways, filter entries, zoom, search entries, beam them, export them, delete them - basically, handle the data in any conceivable way. Of special note is the built-in print support: the program can handle basic record printing over serial, IR or even a network.
 | Visual CE includes a sample expense tracker
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Visual CE really comes into its own in conjunction with other machines, however. It can be used on its own or one can shunt data to and from any other program that can handle ODBC or Pocket Access format. The application comes with a desktop counterpart to simplify the transfer of information between any of one's desktop applications to the handheld and vice versa. Although the interface on this desktop version is not pretty, it is functional and powerful, and includes such modern business necessities as supporting multiple handhelds (identified by their ActiveSync names). Synchronization can be set to occur every time the device is connected, which is useful if the user collects a lot of data. The desktop version can create tables and forms (as well as running any that have been created on the PDA), which if one prefers the larger screen-size of the PC is a clear advantage. Other than that, the interface is almost identical to the Pocket PC version, which obviously makes learning the program a breeze.
The Enterprise version under evaluation here comes bundled with the mEnable program, which enables the program to use any TCP/IP connection to draw on server-based data in a variety of programs, removing the need for synchronization by directly centralizing data. It also comes bundled with Report CE, an add-on application that can be used for generating reports, invoices and other documents from the data collected by Visual CE 8. These can be saved in RTF or text format, and as well as supporting images, headers and footers, embedded barcodes and calculated values, Report CE allows users to print generated reports directly from the handheld over any conceivable connection or e-mailed to others. Report CE is a very impressive companion for Visual CE.
Another applet, sqlceEnable, functions like mEnable in allowing the Report CE application included with the Enterprise license to access data on a remote server, in this case SQL databases.
Availability
Visual CE 8 is available from the Syware web site for a range of prices, currently between $79.99 USD for the Lite version and $599 USD for the Enterprise version. All versions run on all Pocket PCs and HPCs.
Conclusion
Although it’s impossible to fully explore the features of this program, we hope it’s clear that, despite its power, it’s an amazingly easy application to learn. Even creating rich and complicated form solutions takes very little time, and plenty of help is available in the fantastic manual, should it be needed. Connectivity is the big selling point of Visual CE, as it can not only use existing database solutions but can move large and complicated masses of information in freshly mobile ways. Version 8 deserves extra points for continuing to surprise us and for staying on the bleeding edge of connectivity features.
- What's positive: Jaw-droppingly comprehensive in terms of features, connectivity and support for end-users and enterprises
- What's negative: Power comes at a high initial outlay
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