Palm's smart client approach sits between these methods. It lets you build an application that can access previously stored data while offline, but that can also take advantage of real-time data access so users have up-to-date information. WDBAS can also work with leading synchronization products to deliver hybrid smart-client applications combining the best of real-time data access and synchronization.

Functionality and benefits
WDBAS was designed with the following functionality and benefits in mind:

Builds applications fast
With WDBAS, enterprises can build or integrate wireless data-driven applications more quickly, using "pre-fab" pieces. No custom server development is required.

Lower cost of ownership
Since it's modeled after typical wireline database applications for desktop and client-server applications, the WDBAS architecture uses tools and languages that are familiar to developers. This can minimize or eliminate training costs as well as speed development time.

Reduced risk, high quality
Extending corporate applications to multiple wireless devices can now be planned just like any other desktop project. Using standard tools, prototypes can be developed quickly, with less risk, and executed on a tight schedule.

WDBAS was designed for real-world deployment on today's wireless networks. As a result, developers have control over how much data is returned from queries, and large result sets can be paged through a few records at a time.

Works with industry standards
The software comes with support for nearly every enterprise database, including Oracle, IBM DB2, Microsoft SQL Server, and Sybase. Enterprise applications, such as sales force automation, supply chain management, and customer relationship management, are built on these standard databases.

End-to-end security
WDBAS offers secure connectivity, incorporating Certicom's encryption libraries. It also supports the SSL (Secure Socket Layer) for basic Internet security.

Availability
Palm is releasing WDBAS developer seats now and will be making a WDBAS Enterprise Edition available later this year. The Enterprise Edition will include deployment licenses and additional advanced features.

Palm is creating a channel of enterprise systems integrators and corporate solution resellers who can offer development, integration, and support for WDBAS. These systems integrators and resellers will be trained by and work with Palm on business development as well as collaborate on the initial implementations of WDBAS.

The Wireless Database Access Server for developers is available now in the United States from two sources. Metrowerks has bundled it with CodeWarrior Enterprise Edition CD for the Palm OS platform at http://www.metrowerks.com/specialoffer/palmee/. AppForge has it available for use with Visual Basic at http://www.appforge.com.

If you're attempting to deploy custom wireless applications in your enterprise, the Wireless Database Access Server can save you and your IT department a lot of headaches. According to Evan Simeone, this is just the beginning of Palm's enterprise strategy. In the months to come, you can expect to see even more tools designed to make life even easier for developers working with the Palm OS.

Steve Niles is Senior Editor for ZATZ Publishing. He is also an independent filmmaker and freelance writer. For more information, visit http://www.sn-films.com.