How it works
When the user's AS/400 TE session stops responding, they switch over to the VB program and begin collecting data. If the RF system is available, transactions are immediately posted to a SQL Server table, and later posted to the AS/400 when it becomes available.
If the RF system is down, the reader writes the data in Switchboard format to a text file that is stored on the 9060's and transferred to the Switchboard PC automatically when the RF network becomes back on line. These files are processed by the Batch Client and sent to Switchboard, and then to the SQL Server table.
As a further back up, the text file resides on a Secure Digital card, so in the unlikely event that a 9060 goes down with stored data, the SD card can be removed and the collected data recovered.
Switchboard, our data collection server software, manages all of the uploading, downloading, and communications between the database and the Symbol readers.
Of course, not all transactions can be captured when the system is down, but our customer can capture all inventory movements in their warehouse, and recover much more easily when their system goes down.
Conclusion
We at Accurate Data generally prefer client server architecture to terminal emulation systems, although both have their drawbacks. Our client has managed to combine the best of both systems to minimize his down time, saving significant amounts of money.