A small software start-up company came to Riptide with a concept for distributed survey software that would utilize modern mobile devices such as laptops, tablet PC's and pocket PC's (PDA's). Since time-to-time market was a key concern, a major challenge was developing high quality software quickly, within very tight budget constraints.
The Tailored Solution
To help differentiate the new product, Riptide developed software that utilized the best of Java and Microsoft NET technology. A Java-based central desktop application was developed to prove a means for generating and distributing surveys. Microsoft .NET-based mobile applications written in the C# language provide a means for collecting survey data. To provide the greatest flexibility, an XML file format was selected to transmit data between the desktop and remote applications. This combination of technologies provides a scalable desktop application with device specific remote applications.
Desktop Application
The user interface of a Java-based desktop editor was developed quickly using the Riptide Application Framework (RAF). The RAF tools automatically generate user interface code from XML-based templates resulting in significantly reduced time-to-market. The RAF also generates a Java framework that forms the basic application "shell". Java was selected for the desktop application because it provides the following key features:
- Portability - supports multiple operating systems (e.g., Windows, Linux, Unix)
- Security - supports a secure data transaction layer.
- Internationalization - supports multiple languages (j 18n localization)
- Scalability - can be expanded from PC desktops up to distributed networks
- Cost - very low licensing costs
- Proven Enterprise Technology - one of the most stable enterprise development environments available.
- Code Reuse - readily available stable code modules
The basic application workflow utilizes a simple four-step process:
- Desktop: create the survey
- Desktop: distribute the survey template (download to remote devices)
- Mobile: collect the survey results (upload from the remote devices)
- Desktop: generate reports
Survey Creation
Survey meta-data is defined including an introduction, objectives and conclusion. Questions are then created from scratch or selected from the question/answer library. Once the question text is entered, an answer type can be created the allows the user to select from a multiple choice answer, enter a date or time, enter a number or percent or enter open text. The user can also select a straight-through linear workflow or branching based on selected values.
Survey Distribution
Once the survey is complete, it can be published in to a pocket PC device or exported to another desktop, laptop, or tablet PC device.
Data Capture
Data can be captured from various devices including desktop/laptop computers, pocket PC devices (PDC) or Tablet PC devices. Each device utilizes a device specific survey recording application that utilizes Microsoft.NET technology. When running the survey, the introduction is first displayed and then the survey recorder follows the workflow designed in the survey template.
The conclusion statement is displayed and the user is asked to save the survey once all required questions are answered using the question parameters defined during the creation (i.e. min/max text answered or min/max number of answers selected). The survey results can then be uploaded to the survey editor for reporting.
Survey Reporting
The application provides a simple data-reporting tool for viewing the raw data. For more advanced reporting, an ability to export the data to Microsoft Excel is provided.
Mobile-Survey Capture Application
Microsoft .NET was selected for the mobile devices to utilize Microsoft's Integrated Development Environment (IDE) for device creation for high performance. While a more portable Java solution was possible using a Java 2 Micro Edition (J2ME), the Microsoft .NET compact framework solution provided better performance and quicker development time.
Project Summary
Riptide delivered a project in two initial phases. The first phase was to very quickly develop demonstration version of the software to allow the client to start the sales process and capture customer requirements. The first phase was completed in less than three months before the start of the project. The second phase was to deliver the final initial production release, as well as the e-commerce site to sell the software. The second phase was completed with in six months of the start date. Total project effort to produce the desktop, mobile and e-commerce applications was 1460 hours.
Riptide. Proven Success.
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