The Microsoft Smart Client approach offers a number of distinct usability and cost advantages
versus Browser-based applications (See a
detailed comparison of Smart Clients vs. Browser-based
approach).
Smart Client applications are built on the standard Microsoft SQL Server/.NET Internet Database platform, and are ideally suited for business-to-business data
management needs, where streamlined workflows, ease-of-use, and tight integration with internal systems are critical to business performance and efficiency.
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Microsoft Desktop Application Experience
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Smart Client applications look and perform just like standard
Microsoft Office Applications.
They provide a rich User Interface that is very familiar to working professionals.
It is certainly possible to mimic a Microsoft Office application experience inside
a Browser, but get out your checkbook! Smart Client applications
provide a high fidelity end-user experience by taking full advantage of all
that the Microsoft® Windows® platform and the Internet has to offer.
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High Performance & Scalable |
Smart Clients are installed on the End Users' PC, which allows
the application to fully utilize the hardware and software resources available to each local PC
i.e. the CPU, graphics processor, memory (RAM) and disk storage. A dual-CPU
Server and Standard MS SQL Server 2008, SQL Server 2012 or SQL Server 2014 can easily support hundreds of
concurrent End Users.
The
PCA Smart Client Foundation System uses data caching algorithms and many other advanced techniques
to enable fast, responsive performance with virtually any
size database. |
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Centralized Security |
Smart Clients connect to a centralized SQL Server database with single-point Admin
security management controls.
All PCA-designed Smart Client applications employ a multi-tier,
role-based security model that
provides Admin ability to assign business roles and configure role-specific
application-, feature- and data-level access privileges. Security privileges
can be modified at any time with zero I/T intervention. Learn more about Smart Client Security capabilities. |
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Integrated with MS Office Apps & Local Devices |
Smart Clients can connect directly
with local devices e.g. VOIP, bar-code and RFID readers, scanners, etc., and easily exchange (import/export)
data with MS Excel, MS Word and MS Outlook email applications. |
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Web Services Ready |
Smart Clients can connect directly with any data sources or web services
on the Internet e.g. Google Maps, D&B database, any 3rd-party data source that is HTTP- or HTTPS-addressable.
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| Off-line Capable |
One of the key benefits of Smart Client applications is they can be used off-line,
when a connection to the Internet is unavailable. When re-connected, Smart Clients
automatically synchronize all off-line changes with the central SQL Server database,
completely transparent to the End User.
Smart Client applications work exceptionally well, connected or not. |
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Flexible Deployment |
PCA Smart Client applications are hosting environment independent — the SQL Server
database can be located anywhere... on your network behind a firewall, a 3rd-party
Application Hosting Provider (ASP), or on the Microsoft Azure or Amazon AWS Clound. PCA provides our Clients with
"one-stop" application Hosting, Maintenance and Support for cost-effective and responsive service. Learn more about Smart Client Deployment Options
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Maintenance Free |
Smart Client installations
and maintenance updates are completely automated, intelligent,
and seamless to End Users: with no I/T support required. There
is no need to manage different versions of the Smart Client application — everyone automatically gets the latest version
with the most current set of data.
The PCA Smart Client "Mobilizer" automates application installation and
updates, so traditional headaches
and expenses associated with maintaining distributed business applications go away.
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