Under The Hood

Under The Hood
Palm

A consistent graphic language for Palm solutions

The project presents a consistent, simple, visual way to understand Palm solutions with a minimum of technical language. The core of this graphic language is a simple diagram that shows that all Palm solutions are the interaction of three elements: one or more handheld computers, a synchronization process, and a PC or network application.

This is true for all Palm solutions—from the very simplest stand-alone application backed up to a single personal computer, up through a multi-user, real-time, transaction system interacting with multiple network-based servers.

This diagram, of course, is an abstraction. It does not show the details of how these elements communicate with each other, nor does it show which bit of hardware is doing the synchronization. These details are more appropriate in engineering process diagrams that describe a specific implementation.

This diagram emphasizes the central importance of synchronization—a process that most users take for granted but is in fact the key to understanding the power behind the simplicity of Palm solutions. For some solutions, synchronization is carried out a personal computer, or even by the handheld computer. For other solutions, there may be several devices carrying out some portion of the total synchronization process.

This simple view of Palm solutions demystifies mobile computing while revealing the power behind the solutions.

A consistent language for Palm solutions

This project introduces a new style of sales tool for Palm—presentations with built-in navigation that enable you to move quickly to any topic. Although these presentations are physically large, they feel much smaller; first because they are highly visual, and second because they are navigable. Once you know the contents of a presentation, you can modify the order or depth of the presentation at a moment’s notice.

SPONTANEOUS FLEXIBILITY

These presentations may be used separately or together. For example, you may choose to give a general-purpose introduction with the “Under The Hood” presentation and use the “Noblestar Systems Case Studies” as in-depth examples. Or, present a case study and use “Under The Hood” to give a more in-depth explanation of the underlying technologies. Or simply show the architecture of server synchronization from “Under The Hood” and then skip to a few generic enterprise solutions in the last module.

Binder contents

1 - Overview

Introduction to the binder, its contents, and to use the presentations.

Cover Sheet

Overview

2 - Under The Hood

A concise review of the three-part architecture of all Palm solutions, including a general explanation of synchronization via personal computers and synchronization servers.

English
Slides • Speaker Notes

French
Slides • Speaker Notes

German
Slides • Speaker Notes

Spanish
Slides • Speaker Notes

Japanese
Slides • Speaker Notes