Turn-Key Distribution Systems
Turn-Key Distribution Systems, Inc. (Turn-Key) develops business applications for wholesalers, retailers, and manufacturers. Turn-Key recently decided to expand their solutions by offering their customers access from mobile platforms. Attracted to the platform flexibility offered by Microsoft .NET, Turn-Key called on Synergex Professional Services Group (PSG) for assistance in targeting mobile computer devices such as Tablet PC and Pocket PC.
Turn-Key has had an ASP application running for several years and had also developed a JSP application. However, they wanted to explore the .NET platform given its ease of development and ability to target a variety of popular devices. Their initial objective was to deploy a Microsoft .NET application on rugged handheld devices that could interface with a Web service on HP OpenVMS. They were already using Synergy/DE xfServerPlus and xfNetLink Java in combination with Java, Apache, and Tomcat on OpenVMS, but were unfamiliar with the Synergy/DE interoperability with .NET.
During the engagement, the PSG consultant presented xfNetLink .NET to the Turn-Key developers and showed them some client examples. He provided an overview of Visual Studio .NET and VB.NET; demonstrated how to create an ASP.NET Web client prototype, a VB.NET Windows client prototype, and an ASP.NET Web service client prototype; and then showed how to create a VB.NET Windows client to the Web service prototype. Then, the developers learned how to parse and assemble XML data with the Synergy XML API and how to use the XML API with the Synergy HTTP document transport API to call Web services from their Synergy applications.
Following the Passport, Turn-Key's team was able to immediately begin developing their .NET application for Pocket PC devices. This application will communicate with the host application on OpenVMS via Java Web services.
"Passport to the Web gave us the foundation we needed," states Tony Mini at Turn-Key. "Although we have been using Synergex's remote development tools for some time, the ability to get hands-on application-specific experience with a new development environment (.NET) enabled us to expedite the evaluation and development process."
For more information about TurnKey Distribution Systems, visit their web site: www.turnkey.com
