Merlin Wizard Solution

Merlin is a solution to quickly and easily generate applications for portable data terminals. Specifically designed for non-programmers, Merlin has the complete functionality to provide single-screen definitions of data tables for collecting, validating, reporting and exporting information into a real-time, dynamic application.

Download the user guide for Merlin CE.

Merlin Wizard Solution

Merlin offers features that provide a powerful, versatile and extremely reliable data gathering solution.

Merlin RF is an optional module that can be used with Merlin to delivery the real-time communications with a wireless networked PC running your Merlin programs. Please refer to Merlin RF links for additional information.

• Explorer styled GUI, which allows ease of use when designing, and maintaining data capture applications.
• Automatic detection of connected portable terminals.
• Background communications for unattended uploads/downloads to connected portable terminals
• There is no limit to the number of programs that may be created by the Merlin application and stored on the PC resident hard disk.
• Supports mapping of collected data to other software applications through export files and custom validation lookup rules.
• Supports Microsoft Windows operating systems, including 98, ME, 2000, XP and NT.
• Supports Microsoft Access 2000 database applications, where Merlin user programs and collected data are stored in a fully accessible Access database maintained by the Merlin application. It is not necessary to have the Microsoft Access or Office applications installed to run Merlin.

Merlin Wizard PC Applications

From the PC the operator can create unlimited number of Merlin Programs that represent a complete data collection application.

[Click to enlarge image]

Each application has a configuration where the fields of data are defined. Validation rules are created and the validation data to use is imported. Special fields include: signature capture, digitally captured images, bar-coded labels, and more.

The captured data from the handheld terminals are stored in the Access database and can be viewed from Merlin and exported to user-defined formatted text files or printed with user-defined reports.

[Click to enlarge image]

Media Wizard Portable Applications

From the hand held portable the operator can load any active programs from the Merlin PC application. Included is a Merlin portable simulator (shown in the examples) that allows testing and demonstration of all your created programs.

[Click to enlarge image] [Click to enlarge image]

Merlin portable application features include large control buttons that allow operators to use their fingers as well as the stylus to navigate.

• The operator controls the programs that are downloaded into the portable and when captured data is uploaded to the PC.
• Multiple programs can be loaded and will be listed for the operator to select from.
• The portable can be connected using Microsoft ActiveSync either by direct serial cable, wireless Ethernet network, or any optionally supported methods such as modem dial-up. Check out Merlin RF for real-time communications.

Merlin controls all data collection steps including the length, position, data type, and validation based on the configuration, requiring no-programming efforts on your part.

• Program Flow control based upon sequence of prompts and branch rules
• Built in data validation based on data type, min and max length, starting characters, and much more.
• Easy to read screen layouts that show previous prompt and the data entered.
• Large control buttons to tap as a virtual enter key and previous prompt button to go previous field in the program sequence.

Merlin RF Wizard Solution

Merlin RF is an optional module that can be used with Merlin to delivery the real-time communications with a wireless networked PC running your Merlin programs.

[Click to enlarge image]

From the PC the Merlin RF Data Access Server is used to provide real-time communications to any Merlin programs running and connected on the portable terminals.

Real-time means not having to download any validation records into the portable for lookups. And validation tables are always up to date, because the data exists only in the Access database on the PC, not in the portable. This is a great feature for large validation files, since there is no need to be limited by the portables memory or time spent downloading data to the portable.

The Merlin portable client can switch from batch to real-time RF mode from the configuration selection, allowing programs loaded to run in either mode. Batch mode requires the connection to a PC to download validation and program information and upload collected data. RF (real-time) mode means reading validation data directly from the Merlin PC database and writing collected data back to the PC.

The jump from Merlin to Merlin RF requires only the Merlin Data Access Server module to be purchased and portable terminals and network PC(s) capable of supporting a 802.11 wireless Ethernet network.