PDA Hardware Platform: Indicate which PDA or combination of PDA(s) your organization uses, how many are in use today, and who was responsible for the purchase of these devices. Mainly, students use Palm OS devices, but Win CE/Pocket PC devices also are used. Students are responsible for purchasing their own devices.

Buying Motivations: What were the two or three biggest buying motivations/benefits you used to justify the IR network access system approach?

There are three main benefits:

1. Simplicity – one clarinet device can support all IR devices without the need for separate cradles.

2. Cost – We save money on not having to purchase multiple cradles and also there is no wear and tear on devices or cradles since there is no contact between the devices.

3. Efficiency – We save time by distributing applications directly to students without having to use computer workstations.

Key Applications: Describe your key PDA applications, and where are they currently being deployed?

We currently have two key uses of Clarinet devices on the HMS campus. 1. Application distribution – send applications to PDAs for use. 2. Data exchange – Synchronization of student course information.

Goals: How has Clarinet Systems products helped you accomplish your goals.

Clarinet Systems helped us accomplish our goals by providing a simple method of delivering medical applications to students in an efficient manner. In addition, students and faculty can synchronize content on their PDA independently of computer workstations.

Efficiencies: Has your institution realized operational efficiencies since the implementation of your PDA and wireless strategies? If so, in what areas.

Yes. When students arrive at HMS in the fall, they immediately want to have access to their course information and other medical applications. We have students put their PDA in front of the Etherstar 1000 and the main applications are beamed to them automatically. This process reduces the distribution of applications from approximately 10-15 minutes to 1-2 minutes.

Another way we save time is by using the ASP component for the EthIR LAN ESB301. With this component we were able to create a simple Web page that distributes applications to any of our sites that have the EthIR LAN ESB301. This enables us to centrally manage application distribution using 1 web page and multiple Etherstar 3000 devices.

Future Growth Opportunities: Where, when and to what extent do you see the future growth of PDA deployments occurring at your institution over the next three years?

We are continuing to see increased usage of PDAs by students for submission and retrieval of information as well as pocket references. As PDA devices continually get higher resolution screens, better methods for data input, longer battery life, and increased communication speeds, we will expand our content delivery to students through this new communication channel.