Data file transfer to desktop
Hi guys I have a client that wants a custom app that reports information to local file or db but then when back at the office wants to download this info to a pc.
Is the only way to get stored local data off an iPhone or iPad to email it off the device? Little lost as getting data off devices.
Any advice would be great.
5 Answers
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@Ken Bantoft
Using email is probably a bad idea for trying to sync data. It's slow, unreliable and a pain to program. I would suggest you build your app in titanium with a sqlite database where you can edit everything locally. When the user changes something in the database, a property which contains a timestamp is updated with the current timestamp. When the user finds a internet connection your app should compare timestamps with a timestamp on the server, if they match, nothing is uploaded or downloaded to the device. If they don't match and the client did make a change, you should then sync the databases through http.I suggest you use php+mysql on the server end, it's extremely easy to use the http protocol and I've used it in multiple applications.
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I would also like to know this. We are doing a one-off app, and would like to retrieve statistical data after the promotion is over.
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I had a similar requirement - I needed to rip data from a device in the field (well, several) and then allow tech's to 'upload' the data when they get back online somewhere useful.
Your simple options for getting data off are pretty much:
- Email, as you said
- Upload to a WebServer
I opt'd for 2, and with 15 lines of PHP code somewhere you can Upload the files/data from the App onto the server, and then you have access to the data. In my case, the PHP code loads it into a MySQL database, but you could do anything you wanted at that point.
Cooler option:
1) Use Dropbox or AirSharing or (iDevice Filesharing/Synctool of your choice)'s APIs to allow you to move the data into one of those apps, and let it do the syncing to your PC/Mac -
As the iPad becomes more widespread and used in businesses more for utilities I think this functionality needs to be addressesed, could a extension be created to link to an appcellerator Desktop app?
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As the iPad becomes more widespread and used in businesses more for utilities I think this functionality needs to be addressesed, could a extension be created to link to an appcellerator Desktop app?