1) The report evaluates using SQL Server Compact on Dell Venue tablets to allow offline data storage and synchronization with an SQL Server database. 2) SQL Server Compact is a lightweight database that can be used on mobile devices to store data offline and synchronize with a SQL Server database. 3) The report recommends using SQL Server Compact on the tablets to provide local data storage and easy synchronization of data when the tablets connect to the network.

1. Offline Data Synchronization Feasibility Report
Off­Line Data Synchronization Overall Methodology:
Dell Venue 8 Pro tablets are based on Windows 8 systems. We suggested a SQL
“Light” version to be installed on the tablets, so that when connected to the EFR
Network it would synchronize with the EFR SQL Server. This gets local data storage
on the tablets and should provide an easy way to sync the data where users would not
have to build their own export/import process.
To realize the offline data synchronization, we researched on three solutions that may
help.
According to ​Keeping Windows 8 Tablets in Sync with SQL Server 2012: Private and
Hybrid Cloud Solutions for the Mobile Enterprise​, the author Rob Tiffany suggest a
Logical Data Synchronization Architecture in below:

2. Capture Figure from:
http://www.amazon.com/Keeping­Windows­Tablets­Sync­Server­ebook/dp/B00D9Y
DKLU/ref=tmm_kin_title_popover
In this figure, we find that integrating SQL Server Compact with our application can
help store data on the tablet as well as help synchronizing with the SQL Server
database in EFR Office system.
What is SQL Server Compact?
Microsoft SQL Server Compact (SQL CE) is a compact relational database produced
by Microsoft for applications that run on mobile devices and desktops.
How to Install SQL Server Compact?
There are two ways.
1) Deploy managed smart device applications that reference SQL Server Compact
3.5. For example, Visual Studio automatically installs SQL Server Compact 3.5 on the
target device when users deploy the application.
2) If users are deploying an unmanaged device application or running smart device
tests, perform the manual installation.
The following is a link to Microsoft’s installation page for SQL Server Compact:
http://msdn.microsoft.com/en­us/library/13kw2t64(v=vs.90).aspx
Off­Line Data Synchronization with Remote Data Access (RDA) of SQL Server
Compact:
Remote Data Access (RDA) on SQL Server Compact 3.5​ ​provides an easy way for
mobile devices to synchronize data with SQL Server ­ and then take it offline in SQL
Server Compact.
It works on the simple premise of pulling and pushing data to and from SQL Server
via the Server Agent, which is running on the middle­tier IIS application server.
According the Microsoft website. We find this feature to be an ideal option for our
application to realize offline data synchronization.
“Microsoft SQL Server Compact 3.5 applications that run on a device can use remote
data access (RDA) for:
● Downloading data. An application can pull data from a database in SQL
Server to a database in SQL Server Compact 3.5. For example, an application
might download a company employee directory, product price list, or product
catalog to the device.

3.
● Capturing and uploading data. An application can capture data that originates
from user­entered forms, a global positioning system, a barcode reader, or
something similar. The application can store the captured data in a SQL Server
Compact 3.5 database on the device. Periodically, the application can push the
captured data from the SQL Server Compact 3.5 database to a SQL Server
database.
● Downloading, updating, and uploading data. An application can pull data from
a SQL Server database to a SQL Server Compact 3.5 database. The
application can then update the SQL Server Compact 3.5 database.
Periodically, the application can push the changed data from the SQL Server
Compact 3.5 database to a SQL Server database.
● Submitting SQL statements. An application can submit SQL statements to be
executed on a remote SQL Server database. This is especially useful when the
device is always connected to the network.”
For more information:
http://technet.microsoft.com/en­us/library/ms172917(v=sql.105).aspx
Feasibility Study
SQL Server Compact 3.5 is a small footprint, in­process database engine that allows
developers to build robust applications for Windows Desktops and Mobile Devices.
SQL Server Compact 3.5 Server Tools installs DLL's on the IIS server enabling
replication of data with SQL Server 2005. It is free and can be downloaded from
http://www.microsoft.com/en­us/download/details.aspx?id=15695​.
SQL Server Compact can store data offline, and then synchronize the data to SQL
database. Although we do not find many instructions on application developers
integrate the app with SQL server compact, if it goes into consideration it is included
in Visual Studio which can be used to design Windows­based application.
( See ​http://msdn.microsoft.com/en­us/library/windows/apps/br211384.aspx​ ) We
recommend offline data synchronization by installing SQL server compact edition on
the tablets.