Pen-Based Data Collection System

Remote Computing

Cole-Layer-Trumble Company's IAS (Integrated Assessment System) pen-based data collection system provides the performance and mobility demanded by today's field appraiser. Weighing in at less than three pounds (with batteries), the pen unit leads the industry in providing the most compact and powerful solution for appraising data.

This pen-based system is second nature to your fully implemented IAS installation, only because it is just that -- a subset of your Integrated Assessment System made portable. This product is a natural extension of the IAS that runs in your office environment. It is designed for ease-of-use and convenient access to the data on your host system from any remote site -- even standing in front of a parcel in the field!

Mobility

The lightweight unit can be carried comfortably. The convenient carrying case with shoulder sling is ideal for ease-of-use while collecting data -- when your hands must be free for measuring. There is an additional harsh environment case which makes the unit waterproof and increases resistance to dust, shock, and vibration. When used in a vehicle, the pen unit can make use of an optional adapter which plugs directly into the cigarette lighter. This power source replaces the need for the standard lithium-ion battery packs, but if batteries are installed they will also be trickle-charged.

Practicality

The pen unit is equipped with the IAS appraisal data collection screens which have been updated to utilize a graphical user interface (GUI), giving IAS the "look and feel" of Microsoft WindowsTM products. These screens are functionally identical to the screens currently in use in your office. This concept of identical screen functionality is two-fold.

It reduces: It increases:

The pen interface is simple and easy to use. Even a novice user can intuitively navigate through the IAS pen application with true point-and-tap input. No frustrating trackball or cumbersome mouse is required. However, keyboard capabilities exist with either the on-screen visual keyboard or an optional, standard plug-in keyboard.

Functionality

The IAS pen-based system is a Microsoft WindowsTM -based application used by the field appraiser to collect, review, and maintain data remotely. The majority of the system has been developed using Oracle® software products. The front-end or application screens are written in Oracle Forms®, which access data contained locally on each pen unit in a Personal Oracle® database. Parcel level data records are transmitted bi-directionally between each pen unit and the host machine in the office utilizing another Oracle® product called Mobile Agents.

During execution of the IAS pen system, the user decides and selects the parcel(s) they want to exchange with the host. This eliminates the need to have a separate intermediary step being performed by someone at the office to prepare parcels for exchange with the host and each pen unit.

Connectivity

As mentioned above, a piece of the IAS pen system includes the use of Oracle® Mobile Agents (OMA). OMA is a "middle-ware" product specifically designed for mobile computing. It utilizes a client-agent server model for communication and exchange of data. The integral use of the OMA product allows the user to select numerous options for establishing a remote connection to the host system.

Those options include:
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