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mikebsr
13 Posts |
 Posted - 03 May 2008 : 22:17:52
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| Any chance the SPC charting will be available for Windows CE anytime soon? My first project using the SPC charting was a serious hit (Quinn-Curtis once again makes me look good), and they're already asking about CE devices we'd like to start using out on shop floors. |
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quinncurtis
1164 Posts |
Posted - 04 May 2008 : 12:10:42
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Here is a long answer to a short question.
Thanks for the feedback concerning the use of QCSPCChart with Windows CE. We have had other requests for a Windows CE version of the QCSPCChart software, or more generically, a version for the .Net Compact Framework platform. We have other .Net CF products so the details involved are no mystery to us. Some of the reasons we haven't done so are listed below.
1. The vast majority of Window CE devices are battery-powered cell phones and PDA's, which, for power and size considerations, have extremely small screen resolutions. While it is technically possible to squeeze our SPC charts and tables into such a small screen area, with extensive use of panning, ultimately we feel the end-user will not be satisfied with the result. We feel the software requires a minimum screen resolution of 500 x 300, preferably at least 640 x 480. While there are some Windows CE devices that exceed this resolution, the market for them is still quite small.
2. There is an alternative platform for embedded systems which QCSPCChart software already works with: Embedded XP.
3. When pressed for details, the companies who have previously contacted us about Windows CE versions of the software have, without exception, been unable, or unwilling, to follow up by pointing us to a suitable, commercially available Windows CE device they planned to target.
4. That said, it's just a matter of cost. If someone wants it bad enough, they can pay for the minimal development costs we would incur for such a product. That's what our special services group does. Should we decide to move forward, we could have a QCSPCChart for .Net Compact Framework ready in a couple of weeks.
We welcome any other input concerning the SPC/Windows CE marketplace our forum viewers care to share.
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mikebsr
13 Posts |
Posted - 04 May 2008 : 14:46:15
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I can't find the exact model we've started using, but we've started using the 8.4" screen size of this unit:
http://www.icoptech.com/products_detail.asp?ProductID=266
Our cost is around $600 - less than half the price of a PC based touchscreen device. Also, they have 8 serial ports, several USB ports, and a 24 bit digital IO card built right into the unit. This cost includes a disk on a module and through some new partnering program, I think you even get the non-eval version of the platform builder (although I could be mistaken on the last point).
I promise you, I don't work or rep for that company, but I'm showing there is a device we would specifically target that I'm sure is more than viable in terms of size, cost, and performance.
With that being said, I will email this week for a quote. Also, I'll send the exact model of the units we've started buying. If our customers are serious, I might be able to get them to make the investment up front for SPC chart development on these units. There's a strong case to made for providing an embedded controller with no hard drive out on the shop floor, so I can always try.
Thanks for the well written response to my question - it was very helpful. |
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quinncurtis
1164 Posts |
Posted - 12 May 2008 : 18:16:33
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| Thanks for the link to the hardware manufacturer. The SBC panel mounted computers of that manufacturer, with displays as large as 1024(H) x 768(V), do look more than adequate as a host for our QCSPCChart software. We have to wonder why, with a growing market for single board, embedded computers running Windows CE, Microsoft did not include a Windows CE emulator in VS 2005. Furthermore, they have removed ALL Windows Smart Device support (including mobile and CE) from the VS 2008 Standard Edition. You now have to fork over extra bucks for the VS 2008 Professional Edition in order to get Smart Device compile options. I guess they would rather spend $50B for Yahoo, than give small developers a break. Let us know if you are still interested. |
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Windows CE question
