Many physicians tell me they love their Palm devices, but they don't want to enter the data themselves. Rather, they want their nurses or administrative assistants to enter the information for them. However, they don't want to give up their device for entering data directly on the handheld. Also, they prefer not to give access to their desktop PC to allow others to enter data via the Palm Desktop software. That's where the MyPalm Internet portal comes in.

This is a great solution that allows your employees to enter data for you on the Web portal. Then, when you synchronize your device, all the information will be updated. In a case where you might be on a hospital network using Ethernet Cradles and a HotSync Server, you could even HotSync your Palm device over the network and get the latest contact and schedule information without having to go back to the cradle attached to your desktop computer. This is a simple workaround to a common problem. Because of this, I personally think Internet solutions such as My Palm, coupled with the handheld device, are tremendously valuable in the healthcare market.

While we're talking about Internet portals, it seems that Palm has acquired another Internet-portal connectivity company, WeSync (at http://www.wesync.com). The way it works is similar to MyPalm, and it offers a solution to yet another frequently asked question: multiple calendars and group contact lists. Clinic and office managers are able to view multiple calendars side by side using the WeSync solution. Also, multiple users can synchronize data with a single company or department-wide contact list or calendar of events, thereby saving the time of having to enter redundant data. Both of the solutions have tremendous potential, and Palm recognizes this value, as it has acquired both solutions.

Development tools
Besides the database solutions mentioned above for development of custom databases, I must highlight AppForge, a new development tool, at http://www.appforge.com. This incredible solution allows you to create Palm applications using Visual Basic. Yes, you heard correctly, Visual Basic. Not only is the solution incredibly easy to use, it's very powerful.

You can take any existing Access or ODBC compliant database and import it using a utility that comes with the AppForge kit. This creates a Palm database (PDB) file that you can then connect to and manipulate via your front-end. You have to try it to believe it. As if this weren't enough, the Pro version of AppForge has a conduit manager so the applications you create can easily synchronize with a desktop data store!

If you're a Visual Basic programmer or a programming novice looking to write applications for the Palm OS without having to learn C or use CodeWarrior (at http://www.codewarrior.com), you have to check out AppForge. I can guarantee that many in-house developers will create some pretty impressive Palm healthcare applications using this product.

Connectivity
Most of you HotSync your Palm device with your desktop PC, however, using infrared transceivers from Clarinet Systems or the Ethernet Cradle and HotSync Server from Palm, you can synchronize data from any location on your network. Wireless connectivity is achievable with wireless Internet solutions, such as the Palm VII, or wireless LAN solutions. Before thinking about wireless connectivity, you really need to make sure the application that you're running is functional. If the solution doesn't work well for you in general, it doesn't matter if it's wireless or not. The solutions for wireless capabilities are out there.