Enterprise connectivity to handheld devices

Abstract

A FormLogic (FL) client/server system and method to access existing enterprise data sources on an occasional basis. The system includes a FL builder program to generate a communications agent that encapsulates a communication session. The session includes one or more related tasks. The system also includes a FL server which is connected to one or more enterprise data sources. The FL server provides the ability to link hardware devices running a FL engine as a client to access existing enterprise data sources on an occasional basis. It is optimized to communicate by exchanging a minimum amount of data, since the wireless transports do not move large amounts of data quickly and data is expensive to move. Each session encompasses connecting the remote host, performing a specific task or set of tasks, then disconnecting from the host. Because the connection times must be short, the client and server need to be able to perform the required tasks without user intervention. The FL engine includes a user interface, a script engine, a communications module, and a local data store, and preferably runs on a mobile personal digital assistant. Upon connection, this local database is automatically manipulated by the FL server. The FL server can query the FL client database, add data to the client database, or remove data from the client database so as to make updates to both the client and server databases for reflecting changes that have happened on both sides since the last connection.