Enterprise software, listed in this section, is generally designed to run on a network. Professional software, although it may be used in an enterprise environment, generally applies to a single user in a particular field, such as law or medicine. Developer software is used by those who write software for mobile devices.

Only the Enterprise categories are listed here. You may review current lists of all of these types of software at www.PocketPCmag.com/encyclopedia.asp.

Enterprise categories include:

1. Communications: enabling data or voice communications between mobile devices, or with wired or wireless networks.
2. Data Capture: acquiring, processing, and displaying data such as GPS location data
3. Data Collection: forms for entering and transferring data on-site from the mobile device
4. Development: developing mobile enterprise applications
5. Groupware: enabling integration and synchronization of mobile devices with corporate groupware applications such as contact information and e-mail
6. Sales Force Automation: order entry and access to real-time customer, inventory, and sales data for field personnel, accountants, or managers
7. System Administration: network administrator tools for deploying, securing, and managing mobile devices

PROFESSIONAL CATEGORIES INCLUDE:

1. CAD
2. Engineering
3. Healthcare
4. Law
5. Pilots
6. Real Estate
7. Sales and Marketing
8. Transportation

For example, using an application from these listings, an architect may review and mark up drawings and synchronize them with a desktop computer. A doctor may take notes and transfer them via infrared to another device. A trucker may replace a paper log with mobile software. The possibilities are enormous and the entries here are just a sampling of things to come.

DEVELOPER CATEGORIES INCLUDE:

1. Controls
2. Libraries
3. Database Utilities
4. Developer Utilities
5. Host Integration
6. Installation and Distribution
7. Language