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====== How to do a remote part lookup ======
Isn't it cool how you can go to a big box store, walk up to a little scanner on the wall, and lookup the price of the item you want? Or how cool it would be if you could use one of those guns their stock person walks around with to lookup prices at your store? These are very specific applications of hardware and software that give a high amount of capability. If you are using System Five, you can put wireless part lookup functionality and so much more into your hands. Here is how you would do that

===== Set up wireless access for part lookups and more =====
==== Requirements ====
  * Wireless network set up and working at your location
  * Terminal server licenses available to connect to (There are less optimal connection methods for peer to peer networks, remote connection software can fill this gap)
  * System Five terminal licenses for each connection
  * Pervasive database licenses for each connection
  * A tablet PC running a full Windows operating system. (Laptops or other portable PC's capable of remotely connecting to your server can be used, and each have their own limitations)
==== Solution description ====
The idea behind this solution is to remote into a terminal server from wherever you can connect to it from. If you are connected to the terminal server, the software runs on the server, not the tablet PC. The full version of System Five runs just like your point of sale or back office PC. In order to attach printing capabilities or POS devices, you simply configure any device supported by the terminal services environment for use on your tablet. Network printing, and pen scanners, and other portable POS devices can be configured. Once configured, you can perform many tasks from anywhere you can connect to your terminal server and network aware devices from.

==== Sample scenario ====
I have a company with 5 terminals that connect to System Five. Two POS terminals, a back office terminal, and 2 tablet PC's. I have my Terminal Server set up to allow me to log into it from outside the office. One of my tablet PC's is used to create orders and do price lookups out on the sales floor, and the other is used to create sales orders from shows that I go to (And have internet connections at). Note: We do have Stand Alone WAN (also known as WEAR), or Stand Alone LAN solutions that would allow me to create sales orders without an internet connection. Processing credit and debit payments would require alternative methods like using Mercury Payments dial up back up bridge).

===== Exploring Alternatives =====
You may be thinking that there are other options. What about those handheld data collectors? What about Windows CE portables? and so on. These can be great ideas if you have the expertise and resources to pursue them. 
  * What about developing an application for a Handheld data collector, that allows me to load my price list to it, and update it periodically? This is not a Windward application, and you would have to develop this or pay someone to do it. 
  * Maybe you could do something on a portable device with Windows CE. Windward doesn't run on this. You could access the internet, or load an excel sheet you could lookup parts on. 
  * My preferred alternative is to create a Windward WeCommerce website. Then you can access your website from any device that can browse the web. You could then search for any product in your system using the web functionality. 

These alternatives require various amounts of work, and each have their limitations. They are here to recognize that there are other methods out there if you are willing to put the time, energy, and money into them.