Mobile Client
The mobile client is a software component that is used for data collection in the forms that have been designed. The software component is basically a "forms runner" that interprets the meta-data to create the intent of the forms designer. The mobile client is available in different variations, depending upon the type of mobile device used for data collection. Notebooks, laptops and PCs which generally have internet access, will use a standard web browser to access forms on the server and collect data. This implies that the notebook requires continuous internet access.
Cell-phones use a special client application that can run on any Java-enabled mobile device. Since cell-phones have a small screen which does not have the display capabilities of a regular notebook, the user interface on the cell-phone is quite different from that of the notebook. The mobile client normally works in disconnected mode and does not need GPRS connectivity while collecting data. Cellular connectivity is initially required when downloading forms to the mobile device and when uploading data to the server, i.e., for data synchronization of the mobile device with the back-end server. This "disconnected mode" of operation enables data colletors to work in remote areas for extended periods of time where cellular connectivity may not always be available or reliable.