can anyone advise me please?

[vision]

Hi newly registered and I am needing some advice, I run a respite/crisis centre for young people, at the time they are placed with us they need solitude and time out, most of the time we are out with them in camps or camping barns, I need a solution to the staff paperwork I have thought about buying each camp a lap top to complete paperwork but then I am stumped because they also need to be able to contact me by e mail to inform me where they are and of any changes or things they need so I can bring the item out to them, as most of the places we stay are remote i cant see how i can manage this as internet connection would be impossible, also the reports need to be in a recognisable format, we use word and excel for documents, at the end of the camp I need a way to transfer this information to archive and once written it cannot be altered, apart from addendums being added. Phew long sentence so can anyone help or advise? PDA? Laptop? unfortunately because of client confidentiality and a 100 year archive regulation etc good old loose leaf and pen are no longer acceptable. Thanks Liz

[Charlie]

Welcome to our forums.
You have a couple of options as your probably aware.
1) Laptop - will provide you with what your looking for but is lacking in connectivity for email etc. This can be accomplished by using a mobile phone for internet access.
2) PDA - again will provide you with what you need but is also lacking in connectivity. Again this can be partnered with a mobile phone for internet access.

In both these cases you need a device that offers Bluetooth connectivity so that you can utilise the mobile phones. Similarly the phones need Bluetooth also, but in addition you will need to have a mobile network provider with GPRS compatibility. You must ensure that you will have mobile phone network coverage in said locations otherwise the you will experience connectivity issues.

[topgazza]

As I work on IT projects delivering such solutions to folk who are based in buildings its not a problem, of course. However in my work I come across the confidentiality, security issue a lot. Relatively low tech answer which would solve your problem and keep within the rules. Paper is within the rules as long as the scan and archive in a non changable format on open session CD...and of course detroy the originals. Mobile phone for contact with the camps. A certain car company did precisily that with all warranty claim records..

Or Charlie's way if you want to look cool....

[Charlie]

Personally I'd have the cool option...thanks topgazza for your input

[neminator]

1) Cheap laptop
2) GPRS Card

[jo-briggs]

Presumably a SmartPhone, like a Treo or XDA could do this, but you don't say where you are - if the barns and/or camps are out of range of mobile phone masts, in the Adirondaks, or Scottish Highlands for instance, then you are banjaxed; you would need a satellite phone/link; I think more info is required.