Microsoft Desktop Application Experience
Smart Client applications look and perform just like standard Microsoft Office Applications. They provide a rich User Interface that is very familiar to working professionals. It is certainly possible to mimic a Microsoft Office application experience inside a Browser, but get out your checkbook! Smart Client applications provide a high fidelity end-user experience by taking full advantage of all that the Microsoft® Windows® platform and the Internet has to offer.
High Performance & Scalable
Smart Clients are installed on the End Users’ PC, which allows the application to fully utilize the hardware and software resources available to each local PC i.e. the CPU, graphics processor, memory (RAM) and disk storage. A dual-CPU Server and Standard MS SQL Server 2008, SQL Server 2012 or SQL Server 2014 can easily support hundreds of concurrent End Users. The PCA Smart Client Foundation System uses data caching algorithms and many other advanced techniques to enable fast, responsive performance with virtually any size database.
Centralized Security
Smart Clients connect to a centralized SQL Server database with single-point Admin security management controls. All PCA-designed Smart Client applications employ a multi-tier, role-based security model that provides Admin ability to assign business roles and configure role-specific application-, feature- and data-level access privileges. Security privileges can be modified at any time with zero I/T intervention. Learn more about Smart Client Security capabilities.
Integrated with MS Office Apps & Local Devices
Smart Clients can connect directly with local devices e.g. VOIP, bar-code and RFID readers, scanners, etc., and easily exchange (import/export) data with MS Excel, MS Word and MS Outlook email applications.
Web Services Ready
Smart Clients can connect directly with any data sources or web services on the Internet e.g. Google Maps, D&B database, any 3rd-party data source that is HTTP- or HTTPS-addressable.
Off-line Capable
One of the key benefits of Smart Client applications is they can be used off-line, when a connection to the Internet is unavailable. When re-connected, Smart Clients automatically synchronize all off-line changes with the central SQL Server database, completely transparent to the End User. Smart Client applications work exceptionally well, connected or not.
Flexible Deployment
PCA Smart Client applications are hosting environment independent — the SQL Server database can be located anywhere… on your network behind a firewall, a 3rd-party Application Hosting Provider (ASP), or on the Microsoft Azure or Amazon AWS Clound. PCA provides our Clients with “one-stop” application Hosting, Maintenance and Support for cost-effective and responsive service. Learn more about Smart Client Deployment Options
Maintenance Free
Smart Client installations and maintenance updates are completely automated, intelligent, and seamless to End Users: with no I/T support required. There is no need to manage different versions of the Smart Client application — everyone automatically gets the latest version with the most current set of data. The PCA Smart Client “Mobilizer” automates application installation and updates, so traditional headaches and expenses associated with maintaining distributed business applications go away.
Smart Client Resources