The Challenge
A training center with 25 instructors in the field conducts seminars throughout the Western Pennsylvania area. The center approached Soleil Technologies with the vision of creating a mobile solution for a handheld/personal digital assistant (PDA) that would efficiently exchange information between instructors in the field and the center's main office. The challenge incorporated many aspects common to creating effective mobile point solutions:

Real-time updates...Information displayed on the PDA would include a class list, the ability to enter fees paid by attendees, and send special messages to instructors on class day

Easy to use...Create a solution that people with limited computer experience would be comfortable using

One-click approach, scalable...Develop system architecture that supports the easiest possible process yet flexible enough to grow as the center's business needs change

The Soleil Solution™
Soleil's mobile point solution ties instructors to real-time information. The class list can be downloaded via the Internet at the convenience of the instructor anytime, anywhere. Data is exchanged through dial-up connection and a mistake-proof remote access protocol to the training center's database. The application can run on any Java-enabled (JVM) platform. Soleil simplified the information exchange process between the PDA and database into three easy one-touch steps. The uncomplicated user interface makes it easy for instructors to enter class attendees and fees paid.

The Results
The class list application decreases facility expenses, eliminates repetitive clerical procedures, and decreases data errors. Access to class list from any location creates a virtual office environment which eliminates frequent visits to the training center by instructors. Consequently the center has moved to smaller, less expensive office space. Automatic download of data decreases clerical errors and eliminates the need for office staff to transfer information into the database that the 25 instructors fax to the office each day.