Remote Communication Tool

Screenshots:

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No. of Users:

1,000 +

Summary

Communication software was created in order to provide data flow from various kiosks which log daily transactions in the field to client servers. After storing the data locally, the communication software will run nightly. The software encrypts xml files, and then posts them using http-post method, to an oracle database. If the machine is unable to connect to the internet for posting, the files are archived until the following night when posting will be attempted again. Also, the machine will send a communication log indicating the reason for failure the previous night. The software fulfills the need to have weekly/daily data, without enduring the cost of travel.

Challenge

One kiosk failed to post/send data. Our task was to determine what was causing these events.

Approach

Eliminating the possibility of it being our software was the first step to getting over this hurdle. We added a feature in the software to send a communication log the next morning to a different server. This not only proved that the software was working, by sending successfully the following day, but also gave us an error message from the night before.

Solution

We were able to use this information to make a better strategy for transmitting the data.

Technology

The application is written in C# and consists of tabs and buttons on each page that interacts with Windows XP home registry settings. Every time a selection is made and saved, the registry is modified to reflect those changes.

Results

The data gathered by this application is used by the business to plan marketing and advertising strategies and to keep an eye on resources. The business uses this data to decide when to replenish the machines and make service calls.