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Greetings from the FormSprint helpdesk!
Happy Thanksgiving! We try to always be mindful of the many things for which we are grateful, but at this time of year that is especially true. We at ICS are very thankful for family, friends, good health, and our many customers. We thank you for your trust and loyalty and those times when you pass along a good word to a potential new customer, we are really very appreciative. We thought you might like to know about some of the new developments going on at ICS. We would love to hear back from you with your thoughts, comments, or suggestions about these new projects, and especially if you would like to see any of them.
We also wanted to let you know that we have launched the FormSprint Facebook page and would love to have all of our customers join us there. We will be posting news of updates, software releases, interesting customer stories - perhaps YOUR story?? So please visit us on Facebook and "Like us".
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ICS Development Programs 
With the increasing popularity and affordability of portable tablet devices, such as the AppleŽ iPadŽ, ICS has been exploring interfaces between these devices and the IBM i. The fundamental model is for the tablet to access the information on the IBM i with a VPN connection across the internet. This provides the remotely located tablet user with secure access to the corporate computer system using the very user friendly tablet graphical interface.
We have several prototypes which will evolve into stand alone utilities or components of complete applications. A simple example is a utility that accesses the IFS and provides full directory support, security monitoring, and displaying any of the files with formats supported by the tablet. The ability to copy and move files is also provided. Obviously the tablet must remain connected to the corporate computer for the duration.
The same technology permits access to IBM i databases. One example is a tablet interface to the FormSprint archive database system. This permits the tablet user to view remotely any document printed with FormSprint that was set up for indexing and storage in the FormSprint archive database system.
Another example is a signature capture module. The tablet user could be making deliveries or inspections in the field and requires a client signature. Before leaving for the client site, images of the documents requiring signatures are downloaded to the tablet. These could be downloaded from the FormSprint archive database. At the client site, the client can review the document on the tablet and sign, directly on the tablet screen. The tablet software then puts the document and signature in a submittal queue, and automatically sends the data to the corporate computer as soon as an internet connection is available. Internet availability is required only for the initial download and the final submittal.
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FormsTrack iDelivery
 A more complex version of this is being offered in the beta software FormsTrack iDelivery. The FormSprint processor for the pick list or invoice extracts the delivery item data, and provides data for downloading to the tablet for the delivery driver. At the delivery location, the driver can check off each item as it is unloaded, make comments for any item that couldn't be delivered or had other problems, and then obtain a signature from the customer. All the data is then submitted back to the shipping department automatically as soon as internet service is available, and the shipping department can take immediate action if required.
Give us a call at (860-657-3339) if you would like to see a demonstration of any of these developments.
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And speaking of "Liking",
one of the things I like about New England is the Fall season and the wonderful colors. As in many parts of the country,  Connecticut has a system of rail trails ( www.railstotrails.org) and this has become one of our favorite places to walk. 
During the Fall the trails are especially beautiful. I hope you enjoy seeing some of the sights along the way on my Fall meanderings!
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