ROMS Technical Information

Wireless Security

Retriever Software recommends the use of the ‘ROMS High Security Server’ for all ROMS customers.  This PC is equipped with two networking adapters.  One is connected to the customer’s existing network.  The other is connected to the wireless network.  This effectively isolated the wireless network from the rest of the network.  There is no way for an intruder to tap into the wireless network and gain access to any part of your network.  The communications software (CommManager) running on the server routes database transactions between the two networks, when required.  

Two types of wireless access devices may be used with ROMS.  One is a commercial grade access point.  Their encryption capabilities are not very sophisticated.  However, when used with the ‘ROMS High Security Server’, that is not an issue.  Retriever Software does not recommend using these devices with the server.

The other type of wireless access is the Symbol Wireless Switch (WS2000).  This is a more industrial grade device.  It has more sophisticated encryption and network management capabilities.  It is designed specifically to work well with Symbol Technologies PocketPC devices.  One of the benefits is longer battery life between charges.

Where to install Wireless

The architecture of ROMS PocketPC applications allow for data collection scanning to take place beyond the range of the wireless network.  The wireless network for some facilities will be no more than a single access point.  Multiple PocketPC devices can all communicate to the ROMS database via a single device.  However, queries of the ROMS database can only be performed within range of the wireless network.  For example, in order to locate an inmate’s property in the property room using a PocketPC, the user must be within range.  For this reason, it usually makes sense to install a wireless access device in the property room.

Installation of extensive wireless infrastructure a site survey.  of requires the Contact Retriever Software for information

TCPIP Networking

The ROMS Mobile Server (CommManager) is designed to support database connectivity across all types of TCPIP networks.  This includes local area networks, wireless local area networks, wide area networks, the Internet and the wireless Internet.  ROMS PocketPCs connect to an instance of CommManager by its IP address.  As long as IP network connectivity exists, the PocketPC may be located around the world from the CommManager.  A more practical example is as follows:  A County agency locates a single instance of CommManager in the same computer room as the county-wide central database server and remote ROMS PocketPCs communicate via a local wireless access point.  No server equipment is required at each remote location.

LiveUpdate

ROMS PocketPCs, and desktop loaded with ROMS, can be automatically updated with new software via the Retriever Software LiveUpdate feature.  The ROMS CommManager checks the Retriever Software web site for updates on a regular basis.  When they are found, they are downloaded and the Administrator is notified.  ROMS clients are configured to check the CommManager for updates on a regular basis.  Once the Administrator approves the update, they become available to the ROMS clients.  This architecture eliminates the need to have individual clients penetrate a firewall.  Only the CommManager PC needs firewall access to check for updates.

Integration

ROMS includes a process that can read basic booking information from legacy booking systems.  A simple text file that contains the inmate ID (booking number), last name, first name and middle name is all that is required.  ROMS can read this file from either a mapped network drive or from an FTP server.  ROMS is focused on tracking events in a custody environment.  Therefore, nothing other than this basic information is required to operate all ROMS functions.

Contact Retriever Software to discuss your requirements for more sophisticated integration.  Retriever Software uses Visual AppBuilder to create all integration solutions.  This makes these solutions very affordable and easy to maintain.

Color Photos

Either a standard USB web cam or a digital camcorder with a FireWire connection may be used to capture digital color photos within ROMS.  Although these cameras do a good job in normal lighting conditions, additional lighting may be required to achieve the best results.  Photos are saved in JPG format to minimize storage requirements.  Photos from other sources (i.e. LiveScan booking) may be used by ROMS functions that output photos (i.e. employee ID Cards, inmate wristbands).  The only requirement is that the photos are available on a network drive.

Databases

ROMS comes with two databases.  One is a Microsoft Access format (MDB) file.  The other is a Microsoft SQL Server database file.  The Access version is suitable for installation with low transaction volumes and few users.   The use of SQL Server is required otherwise.  However, because ROMS is base on ODBC technology, it is capable of operating with any ODBC compliant database.  Retriever Software applications have been running in Oracle and Sybase environments for over eight years.  Contact Retriever Software for information regarding the use of other types of databases. 

Software Development Tool

All ROMS applications are created entirely with Retriever Software’s Visual AppBuilder (VAB) software development tool.  The cost of creating database-centric Windows and PocketPC applications with VAB is less than one tenth the cost using the next most efficient tool.  This is why the cost of ROMS is so low compared to other comparable software.  It is possible for ROMS customers to modify ROMS applications using VAB.   However, Retriever Software recommends that all enhancements be done by Retriever Software so that they are included with the core product.  This allows ROMS customers to receive the maximum level of support via Retriever Software’s LiveUpdate feature.

Web Browsers

ROMS can NOT be accessed via a Web Browser.  Browsers simply do not have the capabilities to support advanced ROMS features.  For example, Browsers have no native support for secure bar code printing (via check digits), photo capture, fingerprint processing or database reporting.  These features are REQUIRED for jail management software.  While a collection of ActiveX controls could, in theory, provide some of the features included in ROMS, they would require many man-years of low level engineering to construct.  Retriever Software has already done this engineering and embedded it into ROMS via Visual AppBuilder.

Browsers are also unacceptable for mobility in custody facilities.  PocketPC Browsers require a constant, uninterrupted wireless network connection to function.  The ROMS PocketPC continues to operate when out of range of the wireless network and when the network is done.