• History of Shier Systems & Software
• Services offered by Shier Systems
• Sample of projects supported by Shier Systems

History of Shier Systems & Software

As an international business traveler, I tried just about every organizer tool made: from Daytimers to laptop computers loaded with software. I found each to be lacking in one way or another until I discovered an early "handheld" computer - the Hewlett Packard 95LX.

This was a product that literally changed my way of doing business, if not my life. However, as great a tool as the Palmtop was, I also found that its full potential was not being realized. Here was a full computer more powerful than the first IBM PC that I used for everything, and which originally cost ten times the price of the Palmtop yet, most were used as nothing more than an electronic organizer. I knew that these machines had the potential to be much more productive tools for thier users.

In this void I saw opportunity...

Shier Systems & Software was founded in 1994 to provide a knowledgeable source for handheld computers, software and accessories. Since the introduction of the Palm (aka Pilot) and Windows CE, and the rapid development of Internet-based retailing, the need for specialized resellers has been eclipsed by the need for skill in applying these devices to specific projects. These developments have allowed us the opportunity to apply our project management and other related expertise to handheld computing and communications.

We provide the following services:

• Application Evaluation - Supports the initial stages of a project. Assists in determining what "off-the-shelf" hardware and software will provide the core for your application, and what custom development (if any) will be required.
• Specification Authoring - Detailed technical specification writing
• Project Management - Including development of project schedules and "Gantt charts", coordination of project teams, status reporting and schedule recovery support
• Vendor Relations - Providing the liaison to your vendors to assure a timely and on-budget project
• Application Development - Provides the hardware, software and application engineers needed to complete the project
• Web Site Development - Rapid and economical designs for Microsoft IIS and .NET as well as Linux web hosts. Sites can support WAP phone browsers as well as conventional web browser clients
• Technical Writing - Authoring of user documentation.
• Technical Support - User support via e-mail, web and/or telephone

Because handheld computing and wireless communications are our only focus, we understand their capabilities and applications in detail. When we can't find a commercially available product to fit a need, we can design one and have it built to our own specifications.

I welcome the opportunity to discuss your application for handheld computing and how we can assist in assuring its success.

David A. Shier
President

Sample Engagements

Rapid Application Development for Demonstration

• Customer: Confidential
• Task: Develop a running program to demonstrate the features of a project for a company seeking investor funding. The program needed to be completed in less than two weeks.
• Implementation: To reduce the cost of the demonstration program as well as to meet the scheduled delivery, the application was developed in Visual Basic for the Pocket PC. The application provided a custom user interface that included a browser window and user selection buttons outside the browser area. “Meta” tags were used in the HTML files to control the captions on the buttons as well as their function. This allowed the customer to modify the application to display additional features. The application was also designed using "landscape" mode.

  This screen shows custom controls on the right side of the browser window as well as standard HTML buttons and images.	This screen shows how the text of the button controls outside the browser window can be changed by "META" tags in the HTML page loaded in the browser window. Both the caption and the function of the buttons can be changed as well as hiding the button all together.

• The project, including documentation to allow the client to modify the functionality, was completed within the time limitations.

Mobile Mount for Wireless Handheld Computing

• Customer: BostonCoach limousine service
• Task: Design and build a mounting unit and battery charger for HP 300 series handheld computers and RIM wireless modem cards.
• Implementation: Both mechanical and electrical designs were required. We developed two prototype mechanical designs and submitted "first article" units to the customer for evaluation. We then subcontracted the sheet metal production and painting. Two battery chargers were required: One for the handheld computer and one for the 9V battery in the RIM modem. Shier Systems specified the charger for the H/PC and subcontracted its production in Asia. The RIM modem charger was designed and manufactured in-house and the final assembly of the mount was also completed at Shier Systems.