Pendragon Forms Version 5.1 Upgrade

Professional database software for Palm Powered^TM devices and Windows Mobile Pocket PCs

This upgrade is free for users of Forms 5.0.

Users who have installed version 5.0 can download and install the Forms 5.1 evaluation version.  When installed over a registered copy of Form 5.0, the evaluation version becomes a registered version of Forms 5.1.

See the hardware page for more information on compatible Windows Mobile Pocket PCs.

Changes in version 5.1

On Windows Mobile handhelds, Pendragon Forms 5.1 is now uses the StyleTap runtime engine.  StyleTap technology enables Pendragon Forms to run 20-50 times faster on Windows Mobile platforms, and enables Pendragon Forms to run on devices with less memory, e.g., the Palm Treo 700w.

Support for New Devices

Microvision Flic Scanners (May require additional software on Palm OS handhelds)

Intermec Windows Mobile handhelds with barcode scanning

JANAM XP Series Palm OS handhelds with barcode scanning

Improved Camera Support

Capturing images is easier than ever.  On Palm OS and Windows Mobile 5.0 devices with integrated cameras, you can use the built-in camera application to capture images and attach them to your form with just one script statement (SELECTFILE).

Updated Support for Socket Scanning Cards

Improved compatibility and scripting functionality for Socket Communications Scanning peripherals on Windows Mobile devices.

HTML Printing Support

New scripting statements allow developers to create reports that use fonts and tables.  Requires Bachmann PrintBoy.

Printing Support on Pocket PC

Version 5.1 now supports printing on Pocket PC via Bachmann PrintBoy.

Updated GPS Custom Control

Reports GPS fix quality while acquiring coordinates.  UTM Coordinates are now available via scripting.

Default Installation Settings

In a Typical installation, the Pendragon Forms 5.1 synchronization server installs as a process rather than a Windows service.  This means that the server has the same network access rights as the user who is logged in.  In a Network Server installation, the synchronization server installs as a Windows service as before.

If you already have a version of Forms 5.0, the upgrade installs the synchronization server in the same configuration you are presently running your server.

User Interface Changes

The User interface on Pocket PC devices is now almost identical with the interface on Palm OS devices:

In Forms 5.1 on Pocket PC, displaying the keypad hides the Windows titlebar and the Forms titlebar.

Data Display

The Review and Subform screens now display 1-4 columns of data.  On Palm OS devices, this is an increase from 3 to 4.  NOTE: On Pocket PC devices, this is a reduction in the maximum number of columns that could be displayed (there is no more horizontal scrolling on Pocket PC devices).

Currency Fields

Currency field range is now identical between Palm OS and Pocket PC: +/- $9,999,999.00.

NOTE: This is a reduction in precision for Pocket PC devices.

Questions about Upgrading to Pendragon Forms 5.1

Questions about Pocket PC support:

Which Pocket PC devices can I use with Pendragon Forms 5.0?

Pendragon Forms 5.1 can be used on devices with Windows Mobile 2003 for Pocket PC, and Windows Mobile 5.0 for Pocket PC.

See the hardware page for more information.

Will my existing form designs work on Pocket PC devices?

We anticipate that 90% of existing form designs will run without modification on Pocket PC devices, and that, except where platform specific features are used, all Pendragon Forms applications can be adjusted to run on both Palm OS and Pocket PC platforms.

Chapter 13, Scripting Reference, in the Pendragon Forms Reference Guide, details which scripting commands apply to which platform.

Can a record created on a Palm OS device be sent to a Pocket PC device?

Most records that have been created on one handheld platform can be sent to the other handheld platform. Two field types are the exception: Signature and Sketch fields cannot be sent from one platform to another.

Does the software work with Pocket Access?

No, Pendragon Forms 5.1 cannot be used with Pocket Access. On the Pocket PC platform, Pendragon Forms 5.1 uses a proprietary database to store form designs and data. Attached images are stored in the Pocket PC file system.

Questions about Synchronization:

Can I synchronize both Palm OS devices and Pocket PC devices to the same database?

Yes.

Can I synchronize wirelessly?

Yes, Pendragon SyncServer technology is built-in to each copy of Pendragon Forms.  Pendragon SyncServer enables synchronization via TCP/IP network. Pocket PCs use the TCP/IP passthrough feature of ActiveSync to connect to SyncServer.  You will need to configure your server PC and network firewall to allow synchronization from remote devices.

I currently synchronize all Palm OS devices to one PC via the HotSync Manager.
Can I still do this?

Yes. Any Palm OS devices that you synchronize via a cable/cradle will continue to use the HotSync Manager for synchronization. During the synchronization process, the SyncServer proxy conduit will run to synchronize your handheld data to the PC.

How will Pocket PC devices synchronize?

Any Pocket PC devices that you connect to the PC will synchronize Pendragon Forms automatically upon connection. You can also manually initiate synchronization of Pendragon Forms data. The Pocket PC device can synchronize Pendragon Forms data whether the device has a Standard ActiveSync partnership with the PC, or a Guest ActiveSync partnership.

Does Pendragon SyncServer have any special requirements?

Yes. Pendragon SyncServer runs as a service on Windows 2000/XP machines, and communicates on port 201 or another designated port. If your PC has a firewall, the firewall has to be configured to allow communications on server port 201 or whatever port number you have assigned to SyncServer.

If you are installing Pendragon Forms 5.1 on a network server, Pendragon SyncServer requires the server on which you install Pendragon Forms 5.1 to have a fixed IP address as well as the server port 201 and the firewall communication requirements.

I already use Pendragon SyncServer. Do I need to upgrade SyncServer?

Installing Pendragon Forms 5.1 will install a newer version of SyncServer, version 5.1. You will need to do a Network Server installation of Pendragon Forms 5.1 on your server and a Network Client installation of Pendragon Forms 5.1 on each workstation.

Questions about Licensing:

I already own an earlier version of Pendragon Forms and several licenses.
What do I need to purchase to upgrade?

You will need to purchase one upgrade to Pendragon Forms 5.1. Your existing additional user license codes will work with Pendragon Forms version 5.1.

Can I use my existing licenses with a mixture of Palm OS and Pocket PC devices?

Yes. In the Pendragon Forms Manager, the User List maintains your list of active users. Users can have any type of device that Pendragon Forms 5.1 supports.

I already own a Pendragon SyncServer license. Do I need to purchase an upgrade?

The version of Pendragon SyncServer that ships with Pendragon Forms 5.1 is a single-connection version, meaning that it allows one concurrent connection. If you own a previous SyncServer license, you can use your existing SyncServer license to unlock SyncServer 5.1 for the licensed number of concurrent connections.

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