One of the major updates in ITScriptNet V3.0 is a simplification of the editions.  We are retiring Batch in favor of Batch Plus and Omni.  Since Batch supported single-prompt only, and we are also retiring support for DOS and character mode devices, there is really no need for this edition.  It is much simpler to know that Batch Plus supports batch data collection, and Omni adds realtime (wireless) support.

At the same time, we have combined the Program Designer and Clients into a single version.  The same Program Designer will now be used to design programs for Batch Plus or Omni.  You can select whether the Realtime features are enabled through a new option on the Program Settings screen.  The rest is handled by the licensing – if you have an Omni Runtime or Omni Device License, then the Omni features will work.  Otherwise, if you have a Batch Plus Runtime or Device License, you will be limited to the Batch Plus features.

We hope this will simplify downloading and deployment.  Now instead of 6 different downloads to choose from, there are only 2 - Full or Runtime.

The script engine in ITScriptNet V3.0 has been significantly enhanced with the addition of element properties.  This is a new way to control the behavior and appearance of elements on a prompt.  In previous versions, you could set a property using an In-Prompt script.  For example, to set the background color for an element to Red, you could edit the Background Color In-Prompt Script to set a color, like this:

Element Background Color In-Prompt Script:
RGB(255, 0, 0)

If you wanted to change the color at runtime, for example in response to pressing a button, you would instead set the Background Color In-Prompt Script to a user variable.

Element Background Color In-Prompt Script:
@Color@

Then in the button press action, you would set the user variable to the color you want, and refresh the element.

Button Action Script:
@Color@ = RGB(255, 0, 0)
Refresh("Prompt.Element")

This works well, but has the disadvantage that all of the element's Activation scripts run when it is refreshed.

With ITScriptNet V3.0, we have added the ability to set these properties directly.  Now, to change the background color of an element at runtime, you can simlpy set the value:

Button Action Script:
this.element.backgroundcolor = RGB(255, 0, 0)

Almost any element setting can now be set using these properties!

Z-Space Technologies is pleased to announce V3.0 of ITScriptNet.  We have been working on this new version for a long time, and we are very excited to be approaching release.  There are so many new features and updates that it is difficult to list them all, but check the link to the announcement page for an idea.

We are in QC on this version now, and we expect to release in the next few weeks.  If you are a heavy ITScriptNet user and would be interested in a pre-release version to try out, contact Tim James and let him know.  We are setting up a limited number of pre-release sites.

Over the next few weeks we'll talk more about the new features and updates in ITScriptNet V3.0.  We hope you like it as much as we do!

It looks there will be an intermediate release of Windows Mobile between the current 6.1 and the scheduled Windows Mobile 7. Steve Ballmer announced at a conference that there will be a Windows Mobile 6.5 released early next year.  There are not very many details yet so we will see if anything is useful for Data Collection devices.

Honeywell has filed a lawsuit against Datalogic over the 2-D Imagers in their portable devices.  The could affect all Datalogic portable computers and other products as well.

Following up on last weeks note about Motorola adding Windows 6.1 to several devices, here is the official announcement.  As we discussed, Windows Mobile 6.1 will be available on the MC3000, MC9000, MC70 and MC75.

We offer two licensing options for ITScriptNet Solution Packs, plus two demo modes.

Full Licenses
A Single User license installs the Solution Pack using SQL Compact Edition on a single PC.  Only that PC can access the databases, and the ITScriptNet Omni Server runs on that PC as well.  This mode works well for smaller customers who only need access to the data from a single PC.  Device Licenses are registered on each device to allow them to collect unlimited records.

The Multi User license installs the Solution Pack using SQL Server, either by installing SQL Express directly on the PC, or by allowing a connection to an existing SQL Server elsewhere on the network.  In addition, a License Server is installed that allows other PCs on the network to access the data as well.  This allows any number of PCs to use the database maintenance screens, run reports, etc.  However the OMNI Server is only required on the main PC.  Device Licenses are registered on each device to allow them to collect unlimited records.

Demo modes
A Solution Pack with no license runs in demo mode.  The demo can use either SQL Server (Multiuser mode) or SQL Compact Edition (Single User Mode).  However, no database editing can be performed on the PC, and only 10 records can be collected on the device.  This mode allows a user to get a feel for how the Solution Pack works, and will allow uploading and downloading of the Sample Data that ships with the Solution Pack.

We also offer a Reseller License for resellers to demo the Solution Pack.  This is a Single User license only (SQL  Compact Edition), as is intended for installation on a laptop that the reseller can take on the road to customer calls.  This edition does allow database editing, but is limited to 10 records in the Item/Customer/Location tables.  The Device is also limited to collecting 10 records unless a device license is registered on the device.

It's that time of year again!  Daylight Savings Time ends on Sunday, Nov 2nd in the USA.

We've discussed this topic for the past several years, especially as it relates to Windows Mobile and Windows CE devices.  Be sure to check your device dates next week to make sure they have updated correctly!

Motorola has announced that they will be supporting Windows Mobile 6.1 on several devices, including the MC3000, MC9090, MC70, and MC75.  This marks the first MC3000 available with Windows Mobile, as all previous devices have had Windows CE only.

We were unable to find an official annoucement yet, but checking the Motorola website reveals that the MC300 lists Windows Mobile 6.1 as an option.  However the MC9090, MC70 and MC75 do not list it as of today.  Availability is supposed to be 4th quarter of this 2008 for all but the MC75, which will be 1st quarter 2009.

We expect the ITScriptNet clients for Symbol will work on this new configuration without any difficulty, but as always we will test as soon as possible.

The November 2008 ITScriptNet News has been posted to the website.  You can read it here.  Topics discussed include the release of the Inventory Control Solution Pack, the new website, and news about ITScriptNet V3.0.

After hinting at them for awhile, we are very excited to announce the release of the first ITScriptNet Solution Pack.  The Inventory Management solution pack is now available!

Solution Packs are a complete, end-to-end solution that incorporates a database, PC Application, Portable Data Collection programs, reports, labels, and more.  You can use these applications off-the-shelf for a complete solution, or we can customize them for you.

The Inventory Management Solution Pack has everything you need to control your inventory including Receiving, Inventory Moves, item and bin label printing, reports, database maintenace and more.

We are also hard at work on several more Solution Packs including Check In/Check Out, Asset Tracking, and Route Accounting.

Seagull Scientific has released BarTender version 9, whic is a significant upgrade to BarTender.  We use BarTender to design label formats for custom systems, and export than as Printer Code Templates.  These can be easily integrated into ITScriptNet's printing support.

Datalogic has announced that the Pegaso has been certified for use on AT&T's wireless network.  The Pegaso has a Quad-band EDGE capable radio.  This will allow the ITScriptNet OMNI client to connect wirelessly to an OMNI server over GPRS to upload or download data from almost anywhere.

Following on yesterday's announcement of the CN3 with Windows Mobile 6.1, Intermec has also announced that the CK3 will also be available with Windows Mobile 6.1.  The press release suggests that this device will be available in October.

Intermec has announced that they will start shipping the CN3 with Windows Mobile 6.1.  The biggest advantage to this update is likely to be integration with Microsoft System Center Mobile Device Manager for larger enterprises.  From a pure data collection standpoint, users will probably not see much of a difference.  We anticipate the our existing ITScriptNet client for the CN3 will run on this new device, and we will test it as soon as possible.

As we mentioned last time, we will be exhibiting at this years BlueStar Vartech show.  We will be in Booth 518, previewing our new Solution Packs and some new ITScriptNet 3.0 features.

We are also providing the Registration System for the show, as we have for the past few years.  This year the registration system consists of an ITScriptNet program running on ELO touchscreen PCs with the PC Client.  There is a Metrologic fixed-mount presentation scanner at each station, a Cherry keyboard, and a Sato desktop label print.  For line busting, we will be using Honeywell Dolphin 9900 and Datalogic Kyman terminals, printing to Zebra QL 420 portable printers.  Check it out when you register - it is a good representation of the kind of solution that can be built using ITScriptNet technology across a wide range of hardware!

If you are coming to the Vartech show this year in Orlando, be sure to see our booth!  We will be showing our new Solution Packs, and previewing upcoming ITScriptNet innovations.  We'll post more details as they become available.  We hope to see you there!