This document contains information and instruction on how to use the PDA Applications developed by Nebraska Book Company. We recommend that you thoroughly read the documentation to become familiar with the PDA and the applications before you begin your use of the PDA.

The PDA & ICS

The PDA is a small hand-held computer device that enables you to use a wireless connection to access your PrismCore Inventory Control System (ICS). The PDA uses a wireless access point (WAP) to connect to the network and ICS via Spectrum wireless networking. An interface that allows the PDA to access your Inventory Control System has been added to the communication programs used by PrismCore. This interface is controlled via settings in WPServer. (Note that this is WPServer, not WPAdmin.)

Nebraska Book Company Suites

Nebraska Book Company has developed two suites of applications for PDA’s that can be used with the PrismCore Inventory Control System (ICS). These suites are Suite I

which is comprised of Lookup, Inventory, Purchase and Receiving, and Suite II which

contains Buyback Line Buster, Course Lookup, Financial Aid, POS Line Buster.

Note: In order to use POS Line Buster, you must have PrismCore ICS and WinPrism POS.

Suite I

“Lookup” allows you to look up item and price information.

“Inventory” interfaces with the PrismCore Physical Inventory module and allows you to scan items, enter inventory quantities and transmit that information to PrismCore.

“Purchase” is a PDA application that can be used to create proposed orders. Once transmitted to PrismCore, the proposed orders must be processed (i.e., posted and/or printed) in ICS.

The “Receiving” application on the PDA allows you to receive items. The application can be set for Batch Receiving, if desired. When not using Batch Receiving, you have two mode choices: Normal Receiving or Blind Receiving. In Normal mode, you can

enter cancellations, backorders and discrepancies. In Blind mode, you will not be able to enter cancellations, backorders and discrepancies.

Suite II

Suite II includes Buyback Line Buster, Course Lookup, Financial Aid, POS Line Buster. In order to use POS Line Buster, you must have both PrismCore ICS and WinPRISM POS.  

What This Documentation Covers

The documentation covers Suite I of the Nebraska Book Company PDA applications for use with PrismCore. Other applications, such as address book, calculator, date book, etc. are also on the PDA. These programs are provided by Palm and are not supported by Nebraska Book Company, Inc. For information on non-Nebraska Book applications, refer to the Welcome program on your PDA.

There are some functions available to the PDA that are helpful when using any of the modules. Functions that are specific to Nebraska Book Company applications are addressed in this document. Information on functions that are specific to the PDA applications supplied by Palm can be found in the Welcome program on the PDA.

PDA Model Numbers

The model of PDA that Nebraska Book Company sells and supports is the Symbol SPT1846. For documentation, we are using a Palm Operating System emulator. Therefore, some of the screen pictures that we will be using look slightly different than what you will see on the Symbol SPT1846. The differences, however, will be found only in the Palm OS, not in the applications provided by Nebraska Book Company, Inc.

Information on the WAP (Wireless Access Point)

The PDA uses a wireless access point (WAP) to connect to ICS. The WAP is a separate component provided by your store or purchased from Nebraska Book Company. The WAP that Nebraska Book Company currently sells and supports is the Cisco Aironet 350. Under normal circumstances the WAP should already be configured before you receive it in your store.

You may wish to review the information guide for the WAP prior to configuration so that you are familiar with the elements involved. Detailed information on configuring and installing the Cisco Aironet 350 can be found on the Internet at http://www.cisco.com/univercd/cc/td/doc/product/wireless/airo_350/accsspts/ap350qs.htm.

WPServer Setup

Once the WAP is established on the network in your store and the port for wireless communication is opened, call your ICS Support team. The appropriate parameters in WPServer must be set. Then you will be ready to work with the PDA itself.