Q3 developed a customized application for the client in an Integrated Development Environment, which allows the physicians to configure the device so that the patients are alerted at the appropriate time.

Q3's global sourcing model gives the maximum benefit to customers in terms of cost savings, improved quality, access to highly talented professionals, flexibility of operations and reduced time to market.

Company Profile

The company provides mobile devices and software solutions, which allow patients and physicians to record and transmit clinical data to the centralized Web servers.

Business Situation

Client requires setting up a mobile technology environment wherein a customized application can be developed in-house and installed on mobile devices, such as PDA. In order to build the customized application, an Integrated Development Environment (IDE) is required, and client requires this IDE from its prospective mobile solution provider.

The application to be developed and installed on mobile devices will primarily constitute questionnaires related to health problems. The application should allow the physicians to assign these questionnaires to patients and configure the device so that the patients are alerted at the appropriate time, and forced to answer a set of questions.

The requirements further extend to transmitting updated builds of application from Desktop to mobile device, and data from mobile device to centralized servers.

Solution

Considering the specific requirements, Q3 comprehended that though questionnaires are necessarily a set of questions, it was required to design and include messages as well, in the application to be installed on PDA. In addition, alarms were required to serve as alert mechanisms for presenting questionnaires to patient at the right time.

Our application included provision of for user-defined alarms. Q3 decided that there would be two types of alarms: Predefined and Customized. Predefined alarms would be programmed by the Administrator at client end, and saved in the database. Customized alarms were supposed to be set by the physician on PDA.

The administrator at client end could set the alarm so that when the alarm rings on the PDA, the user/patient has to accept the alarm to answer the set of questions, which are designed for that particular patient.

In our application, messages were application specific, and popped up when an event was fired on device. Messages were also used for validation. Messages were designed to be displayed after an event or a series of events occurred on the PDA. In addition, the messages could be translated in various languages, thereby increasing the bandwidth of prospective users. From marketing perspective, message translation was a huge bonus for the client.

Since transmission of data from Desktop to mobile device did not require audio support, Q3 decided that General Packet Radio Service (GPRS).

GPRS is a non-voice value added service that allows mobile devices to be used for sending and receiving data over a data network. With GPRS you take the benefit of having a continuous wireless connection to data networks (Internet) and access your web applications.

GPRS is available to users of the 2G cellular communication systems, Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM), as well as in the 3G systems. GPRS data transfer is packet switched and typically charged per megabyte of traffic transferred

Benefits

• GPRS is a best-effort packet switched service, as opposed to circuit switching, wherein a certain Quality of Service (QoS) is guaranteed during the connection for non-mobile users.
• Alarms could be designed for past dates as well so that they would ring properly even if the device were used long after designing of alarm.
• Messages could be translated in global language.