From Paper Forms to the iPad: Utilizing Modern Tools for Living Collections Management

1. From Paper Forms to the iPad:
Utilizing Modern Tools for Living
Collections Management
Becky Sucher
Living Collections Manager
Missouri Botanical Garden

2. What You Need to
Participate
• iPhone, iPad, or Android phone or
tablet with internet access
• i-nigma App (QR code reader that
lauches Safari)
• Picup App (Streamlines uploading
images to browser)

3. Overview
1. Background
2. Approach
3. Tablet Evaluation
4. Demo
5. Lessons Learned

5. Features of the New
Living Collections
Management System
• Built in SQL Server, a global
standard relational database
system
• Improved database infrastructure
to meet current technological needs
• Fine tuning of basic plant records
fields and tables
• Integration of other Hort databases
• Integration of GIS
• Integration of taxonomy and
related data from Tropicos
• Browser-based interface

6. NCPTT
National Center for Preservation
Technology and Training
• Mobile Web Application formatted
for mobile devices for various
management processes
• QR code integration
• Photo integration
• Hardware
• Some developer salary

7. Tablets Tested
• iPad 2
• The New iPad
• Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1
• Asus Transformer
• Asus Transformer Prime
• Motorola Xoom
• Kindle Fire

8. Tablets Tested

9. Tablet Assessment
The NEW iPad won!

10. Android vs. Apple
Where Apple Won
• Ease of use
• Stability in day to day operation
• Device longevity
• Outdoor visibility
• Standardized accessories
• ESRI mapping API
• Camera
Where Android Won
• Flash
• File management
• Multi-user capabilities
• Variety
• Memory expansion

11. Demo

12. What You Need to
Participate
• iPhone, iPad, or Android phone or
tablet with internet access
• i-nigma App (QR code reader that
lauches Safari)
• Picup App (Streamlines uploading
images to browser)

21. Software Architecture
Diagram

22. Lessons Learned
• Many QR code apps use internal
browsers that did not properly
render our site
• There are many situations you
should review a URL before
allowing it to be launched, but we
skipped this step
• Leveraging third-party tools/apps
saved us lots of time and money,
but leaves you dependent on them
• Photo integration was the most
complicated part; iOS 6 should
alleviate some of this

23. Technical Information:
SQL Server
Windows Server 2008
Internet Information Services (IIS) for Windows Server
ESRI ArcGIS 10.1
ArcGIS Javascript API for embedded maps in web pages
ASP.NET web application framework (C# code)
Symantec Mobile Management 7.1 (MMS); plugs into Altiris 7.1 infrastructure
© Copyright 2012 American Public Gardens Association. This presentation is intended for viewing only and
should not be copied or re-distributed for further use.