For IT and management
If your organization is concerned about security, software version control, or document distribution methods, take a look at The iMobile Suite from Synchrologic. This solution offers a secure, reliable, server-based infrastructure for deploying applications, email, files, and data to Pocket PCs, Palm handhelds, and laptops via wireless networks. Prices range from $29 to $259 per seat with a 100 seat minimum.

You can find the iMobile Suite at http://www.synchrologic.com/about/about_imobile.html.

Office management
Almost everything you do in business today involves managing large amounts of information. There are a variety of software tools available for use on handheld computers that should satisfy every department. Following are some of the most useful.

Handheld databases can be used by your sales force to track product database information, customer contact records and purchase history, reference materials, and more. Two powerful relational databases for handhelds are ThinkDB and HanDBase. Both are highly customizable, allow conversion to and from Access databases, and have desktop companions for PC editing.

ThinkDB is priced at $24.95, and you can find it at http://www.thinkingbytes.com/thinkDB.html. It's pictured in Figure A.

FIGURE A

ThinkDB lets you store databases on your Palm computer.

HanDBase is $24.99 and can be found at http://www.ddhsoftware.com/software.html?view=handbase. It's pictured in Figure B.

FIGURE B

HanDBase users can extract database information from PCs to their Palm devices.

Your finance team can crunch numbers while your executives plan and monitor budgets by using one of the powerful spreadsheet applications that are available for handheld devices. TinySheet and Quicksheet are two of the best Palm spreadsheet programs. Both synchronize with Microsoft Excel, allow on-device editing, and perform a variety of standard spreadsheet functions.

At $19.95, TinySheet has a color version, allows multiple sheet workbooks, and supports cell formulas that access different sheets. You can find it at http://www.iambic.com/pilot/tinysheet3/, and it's pictured in Figure C.

FIGURE C

TinySheet now works with the Palm IIIc to add color to your spreadsheets.

Quicksheet retails for $29.95 and features chart and graphing capabilities. You can find it at http://www.cesinc.com/quicksheet/index.html, and it's pictured in Figure D.

FIGURE D

Quicksheet lets you view spreadsheets on your Palm device.

Project management
Outfit your production team with mobile project management tools. Project@Hand by Natara Software is an excellent application that allows you to carry up to 32 projects on your Palm device, has a Gantt chart add-in, supports color, and easily synchronizes with Microsoft Project. Standard pricing is $49.95 and volume discounts are available.

You can find Project@Hand at http://www.natara.com/ProjectAtHand/index.cfm, and it's pictured in Figure E.

FIGURE E

Manage your projects with Project@Hand.

Accessing and collaborating over data
If your field sales force needs to enter orders while on the go, take a look at the AvantGo Enterprise application. This tool is an offline Web browser that will store form submissions until the next time you perform a HotSync with your Palm desktop. If your team is equipped with handheld modems, the sales forms can be submitted live from the field. You can find it at http://avantgo.com/enterprise/frontdoor/index.html.