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Windows Mobile 6, VS 2008 and MS Access 2010

We have an Access 2010 database inventory system. We need to build an app for a Motorola smart device (scanner) that the users can take offsite to use at other locations.

We would like to download a subset of the Access database data to the smart device and use it as data for an app running on Windows Mobile 6. Users will then take the smart device to other remote sites and scan or data entry. When they return to the main office, the data needs to be uploaded and re-synched to the Access database.

I spent hours today figuring out that Visual Studio 2010 doesn't support development for Windows Mobile 6.0. In fact, two Microsoft customer support staff told me it would until I proved them wrong.

From what I understand (please correct if wrong), you cannot run Access 2010 on Windows Mobile 6.

Would you recommend building an app using Visual Studio 2008 to download to the smart device?

What format would the data need to be on the smart device such that it can be downloaded from Access, used by Mobile 6 and resynched with Access 2010?

I would prefer a web-based system but we're concerned about performance (data entry speed) and if some remote locations don't have good internet connection.

Any suggestions are much appreciated.

Thanks
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Scott McDaniel (EE MVE )
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LSM Consulting: Have you developed any projects using VS 2008 for use on Windows Mobile 6 devices?
ACCESS is not supported on WM since WM5. The only way around it is to make a web service or wcf service to host the Access database and the windows mobile can communicate with the access database. You other alternative is to use SQL mobile.
No, I have not.
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Ok thanks all. Will look into using SQL Server Compact Edition and SQL Mobile.

Actually wanted some advice on using VS 2008 for Windows Mobile 6 device was a good/painful idea and any other recommendations on 3rd party tools.

Has anyone developed using VS 2008 for Windows Mobile 6 smart devices?

Thanks,
jw
I have developed ALL with all versions. I suggest you move to VS2010 and WP7
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I wish!
The motorola es400 unit only comes with Windows mobile 6.

Spent all afternoon yesterday trying to figure out the dev tools. Apparently you need VS 2008 PRO (not standard) for Windows mobile 6. Or VS 2005 Standard.

Is this correct? What's the cheapest way to start developing?

buy VS on ebay
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ooh, good tip.  Thanks!
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Wow even on ebay VS 2008 Pro is $600.

Will VS 2005 Standard work ok with Windows Mobile 6 dev?
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Thanks!
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Mikal613: What do you mean by,
"The only way around it is to make a web service or wcf service to host the Access database and the windows mobile can communicate with the access database. You other alternative is to use SQL mobile."

How do you make a web service (what is wcf?) to host the Access db? How would WM communicate with the db?

Would you first recommend that solution or SQL mobile?
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Do you use VS2005 to build the wcf/web service wrapper?
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Ok I'll research more on  it. Thanks for the tip!
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Thanks everyone!