Very useful data tool
This is by far the most promising database app that I have found. It is very fast, handles most of the common data types, and allows for extensive customization. FileMaker Go has a much more polished feel, but it is slow. In addition, unless you want to work within the very limited FileMaker desktop application, manipulating your data requires a cumbersome exporting process. Cellica avoids those issues by syncing directly with your own Microsoft Access database, Excel spreadsheet or other modern data management platform.
Having said this, I want to point out that Cellica is not perfect. Forms developed for your iPad are very plain and look unpolished. The desktop software is a little unstable, and the syncing server software tends to crash or interfere with other applications. Also, it is obvious from the documentation that English is not the primary language of the developers. I do not intend to imply that English documentation should be mandatory for apps. If, however, a developer chooses to publish documentation in English, or any language for that matter, every effort should be made to ensure that proper usage is maintained. As it currently exists, the documentation can be unclear.
There is also the issue of the cost for a fully functioning database system (desktop and mobile applications). There current price is about US$40. That is costly for an app. Realistically, however, that is a very low price when some solutions from other developers cost more than that per month.
Overall, I have found Cellica to be the best solution to data for mobile data collection. If the developers resolve the bugs, correct the documentation and introduce a little more polish to the appearance of the forms, this will truly be a standout application.
Having said this, I want to point out that Cellica is not perfect. Forms developed for your iPad are very plain and look unpolished. The desktop software is a little unstable, and the syncing server software tends to crash or interfere with other applications. Also, it is obvious from the documentation that English is not the primary language of the developers. I do not intend to imply that English documentation should be mandatory for apps. If, however, a developer chooses to publish documentation in English, or any language for that matter, every effort should be made to ensure that proper usage is maintained. As it currently exists, the documentation can be unclear.
There is also the issue of the cost for a fully functioning database system (desktop and mobile applications). There current price is about US$40. That is costly for an app. Realistically, however, that is a very low price when some solutions from other developers cost more than that per month.
Overall, I have found Cellica to be the best solution to data for mobile data collection. If the developers resolve the bugs, correct the documentation and introduce a little more polish to the appearance of the forms, this will truly be a standout application.
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Vital app
This app is vital to anyone who wishes to use older database programs and connect to the convenience of today's mobil platforms. It accomplishes the job neatly with very few glitches, after a slight learning curve. I would recommend this app to anyone with a serious data investment in older programs. Of special note: the wireless updating process is seamless. Thank you Cellica.
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Can't query
There is no ability to filter, query or summarize within database viewer. I need something on iPad with more functionality.
Nice!
Was able to access my MS Access databases immediately. Needed some help to get at my Filemaker Pro data but Cellica tech support provided it promptly and competently. I like this tool and believe it will be valuable going forward.
Incredibly useful app!
Create your Access DB and within minutes you can have a form designed, to insert, edit and update records. Very simple, but effective interface, synch works reliably, saved me lots of time exploring other methods. They have recently improved the form design to add alignment tools and also subforms.
Database Viewer
The Cellica Database for iPad (Database Viewer Plus) is an apt name when the full name is used, not the initial part outside the parenthesis. This IS a database viewer and IS NOT a database, with one exception - it is possible to add data to your desktop database using the iPad and have it snychonise effortlessly.
However you cannot interrogate the data on the iPad using only the iPad, but first have to establish how you want the database displayed on the iPad and then interrogate the original desktop database (in my case Access 2010), complete with sorts, filters and fields, so that it can be downloaded to the desktop edition of Cellica as a Profile. Once downloaded you cannot change the Profile by further filters, sorts and fields, but have to download another or different Profile to incorporate all such changes.
Once you have downloaded a suitable Profile you can then design a form for an individual record, or a form with a datasheet sub-form for a number of records, but again the design has to be carried out within your desktop edition of Cellica, not on your iPad. Finally you can synchronise that form with your iPad. You cannot test it before you synchronise it, so you almost certainly will have to revert to the design on the desktop to make minor or consequential changes and re-synchonise. Most importantly you cannot change the design of your form on the iPad, although you can change the appearance of the Profile in minor respects.
If you have correctly designed the form on the desktop it will give you the information you require on the iPad, but, if not, you will have to try and try again.
There does not appear to be a means of justifying the data within a field on the form, i.e. right, centre or left although you can justify a label. Nor does there appear to be a means of ensuring that currency is displayed to two decimal places, including two zeros for whole numbers. It does not appear that you can alter the width of the fields in the datasheet sub-form. Appearance of the final result is therefore unattractive. However the data is displayed and totals are accurate.
There is thus room for a lot of cosmetic improvement, which is why this only has three stars, but when you can properly alter the appearance of the display using the iPad, and more importanly, properly interrogate the data using the iPad, the App will become worthy of more stars.
However you cannot interrogate the data on the iPad using only the iPad, but first have to establish how you want the database displayed on the iPad and then interrogate the original desktop database (in my case Access 2010), complete with sorts, filters and fields, so that it can be downloaded to the desktop edition of Cellica as a Profile. Once downloaded you cannot change the Profile by further filters, sorts and fields, but have to download another or different Profile to incorporate all such changes.
Once you have downloaded a suitable Profile you can then design a form for an individual record, or a form with a datasheet sub-form for a number of records, but again the design has to be carried out within your desktop edition of Cellica, not on your iPad. Finally you can synchronise that form with your iPad. You cannot test it before you synchronise it, so you almost certainly will have to revert to the design on the desktop to make minor or consequential changes and re-synchonise. Most importantly you cannot change the design of your form on the iPad, although you can change the appearance of the Profile in minor respects.
If you have correctly designed the form on the desktop it will give you the information you require on the iPad, but, if not, you will have to try and try again.
There does not appear to be a means of justifying the data within a field on the form, i.e. right, centre or left although you can justify a label. Nor does there appear to be a means of ensuring that currency is displayed to two decimal places, including two zeros for whole numbers. It does not appear that you can alter the width of the fields in the datasheet sub-form. Appearance of the final result is therefore unattractive. However the data is displayed and totals are accurate.
There is thus room for a lot of cosmetic improvement, which is why this only has three stars, but when you can properly alter the appearance of the display using the iPad, and more importanly, properly interrogate the data using the iPad, the App will become worthy of more stars.
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Fantastic
I tie together various databases in Microsoft Access to provide easy access to information on a large number of contacts. This program ports that information out to my IPad making travel infinitely easier. The wireless update works flawlessly and the interface is exceptional.
Great App
This is just the app that I was looking for, to transfer about 5000 record, from my Access database on my PC, to the ipad. The software performed as advertised, I was able to move the data, create forms to view it and edit it. Great application.
