Getting started with SQL Server Mobile

I have recently upgraded to VS 2005, .NET 2.0, and SQL Server 2005 and am trying to upgrade some of my older Pocket PC 2003 apps. I am trying to educate myself but have become a bit confused about how to proceed and was hoping some of the knowledgable people in this group could point me in the right direction.

I have developed several data collection applications that used Pocket Access on the device and very easily sychronized with a custom MS Access database via Active Sync. I am slowly coming to the realization that using SQL Server Mobile will NEVER be that easy (which is a shame). My questions are......

1. If I want to upgrade to SQL Server Mobile, is there any way that I can continue to easily "synchronize" my data with a MS Access database? If so, any suggestion/links as to how to do this would be greatly appreciated!

2. If the above scenario is not possible, what is the best solution for me to create a distributable application that synchronizes into a local database on a computer that DOES NOT have SQL Server installed?

3.) Related to above, is creating a distributable SQL Server Express database the answer? Can I use the built in SQL Server synchronization tools via this scenario?

Thanks in advance!

Mike

Mike,

In terms of getting started with SQL Mobile and synchronizing data between SQL Mobile and SQL Server, a great place to start is this white paper:

http://msdn.microsoft.com/library/default.asp?url=/library/en-us/dnsql90/html/sql2k5mobile.asp

There has been quite a bit of feedback regarding the disappearance of Pocket Access in WM5 and the ease with which it could be synchronized with a server-side Access database. Microsoft heard that and to their credit is working on something I can't say much about right now, but it will solidly address this in the next 3-4 months.

In terms of the "best" solution for synchronizing data, that depends on a long list of things. The obvious options are merge replication, remote data access, and web services. I gave an MSDN web cast in March 2005 on making this decision that includes all of the criteria and even a flow chart to help you land on the right choice. http://msevents.microsoft.com/CUI/WebCastEventDetails.aspx?culture=en-US&EventID=1032268682&CountryCode=US.

Creating a distributable SQL Express database is an option for x86-based clients, but not for Windows Mobile devices. SQL Express can indeed be a subscriber to a merge publication in a replication relationship.

Regards,

-Darren