Synchronize Access Database onto PDA

[Beany]

Hi All,

I'm starting a new project and need some help...

I would like to update a main database file on a PC using PDAs. The PDA will contain the replica file and any changes made by workers on the PDA will sync to the PC file.....

The hard bit, i would like this to be done wirelessly or possibly through bluetooth and done instantly.... using windows mobile...

I would like to know if this can be done? if so, how and what equipment is required?

all help will be appreciated many thanks

[NeoPa]

I think you will probably find more appropriate expertise in the Mobile Development Forum, so I've moved this for you.

Good luck with your project :)

PS. Adjusted title to give the Mobile Experts a better understanding of where you're coming from.

[Beany]

anyone? I need serious advice ;)

[NeoPa]

I'm afraid that not all forums are as well populated or as busy as Access is (only .NET comes close). I will see if I can drum up some interest in the general Expert area.

[Curtis Rutland]

How about exposing a web service that can modify the access database, and letting your WinMo program connect to that?

[Plater]

Its my belief that data syncronizing is always a huge pain.
InsertAlias may have the best solution as far as connectivity over wireless.
Being able to handle webpages/etc is a pretty standard ability on devices. The bonus of a webservice is you can use a webpage to communicate with it, or software like a windows application.

Bluetooth requires such a close proximity that you might as well be connected with a usb cable and use ActiveSync to sync.

[Curtis Rutland]

Yeah, think of the web service as an online class library that any client can use.

The best thing about this is that if your PDAs have internet access, they don't have to store a changelog, they can update the source DB itself.

[Frinavale]

Hmmm.....the OP is going to need to host the synchronizing methods on a web server if they implement the web services solution...They 'd have to turn the computer into a web server. This seems to be a bit overkill for what is required. There has to be a better way to do this....mind you I can't think of one off the top of my head.

>>subscribing because I'm curious<<

[Frinavale]

Hmm after poking around I found that ActiveSync will synchronize your pocket PC's Access with your PC's access....howev er wirelessly doing this seems to have been discontinued because the data being transferred was unencrypted.

I think I saw some mention that this can be done via Bluetooth but the range is limited... I'm not 100% on it though, especially since the MSDN article doesn't mention Bluetooth support at all.