>>I have a request from my users (doctors) that they would like to access our patient database (VFP 3) while visiting patients throughout the hospital campus. The campus is several buildings stretching over 4x4 city block area. The areas they visit may or may not have computers or ethernet connections.
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>>The database is written in pure VFP3 on a netware 4 fileserver. There is a campus wide TCP/IP network but not a certainty of live ethernet drops being available. They have expressed interest in hand-held or laptops as the vehicles for using the database. Laptops seem more generic and easier to find a solution for.
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>>What are my options and does anyone have any products or solutions they can recommend? Some things that I can think of off the top of my head are:
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>>1) Use wireless ethernet cards. ($$)
>>I am unsure of the distances and speeds they operate at.
>>2) Make a synchronization routine. The doctors carry a copy of the database with them then manually schronize it when they arrive in the unit or at an live ethernet port.
>>3) Use a cellular modem with PC anywhere or citrix server ($$$)
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>>Any thoughts/advice/tips appreciated.
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>The cost of Citrix is expensive at first, but it allows for the most flexibility. I should be accessible by any type of hardware, including Windows CE. We use the internet plugin for our app. Works great!

I like this about idea. No rewrite of code. Are you using this method with VFP? I have heard that VFP forms are not Windows standard and cause Citrix to be quite slow. Is this the case? I am using VFP 3 at the moment and migrate to version 6 this fall.

>And why would you use cellular modems and not standard modems? Every room in the hospital should have a phone line. Are they digital lines or something?

Good point. Even with this idea, most lines are digital. As one dept in the hospital it would be difficult for us to request modem lines in other depts (hospital wards).

Cellular phones are banned in the hospital because of interferece with medical equip. Do you know if PCI/Digital phones are the same?