If you're looking for resources to give you a head start in building a Windows Mobile line of business application to deploy in your enterprise, look no further than http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=80a5c2c5-4f9b-4c1a-bff6-2a3c6b68d15b&displaylang=en.  Covering the use of Visual Studio 2005, the .NET Compact Framework 2.0, C#, Windows Mobile 5.0, SQL Server 2005 and SQL Server 2005 Compact Edition (SSCE), this kit illustrates the best development practices in the following areas:
 
  • Supporting various device UI's through Docking and Anchoring.
  • Utilizing Error Logging to capture application exceptions for later analysis.
  • Bringing desktop-style XML Application Settings to the Compact Framework.
  • Enforcing the use of Application Layers to promote loose-coupling and flexibility.
    • UI Layer - UI components, navigation, input validation and communications only with the Business Layer.
    • Business Layer - Services and Business Entities.
    • Data Layer - Classes that communicate with SSCE, the file system, and the network.
  • Data Access In-Depth
    • High-speed data retrieval from SSCE.
    • Hydrating Business Objects and populating strongly-typed Collections.
    • Data Binding Collections to UI components.
  • Merge Replication 
    • Describes how to build a scalable, multi-server solution that utilizes Active Directory.
    • Enforces security best practices through the use of reduced-privilege Domain user accounts.
    • How to reduce bandwidth needs by reducing the number of objects in a published Article.
    • Marking lookup tables as Download-only to eliminate tracking metadata.
    • Selecting Column-level tracking to reduce merge conflicts.
    • How to create Static Filters to reduce the amount of data going out to all Subscribers.
    • How to create Parameterized Filters to reduce the amount of data going out to specific Subscribers.
    • Create a secure mobile Subscription inside the SQL Server Management Studio.
    • Includes a SQL Server 2005 database to get started with in a lab.
  • Learn about Custom Control development by creating a Signature Capture Control.
  • Using a Singleton to cache frequently used objects.
  • Making your mobile application Network-Aware via the SystemState object in order for it to make intelligent decisions regarding communications with network resources.
  • Utilizing Splash Screens to occupy and inform the user while your application is loading.
  • Adding Help to each of your application's screens via a hyperlink in order to educate your users and reduce support calls.
  • Inform your users of important application events through the use of Notification Balloons (Toast).
  • Communicate with the MapPoint Web Service in order to retrieve maps and directions to a mobile device.
  • Learn how to build a CAB project in order to deploy your application to the field.

The kit contains a fully-functioning Mobile Supply Chain application with over 5,000 lines of commented code to help boost your understanding of Windows Mobile development.  It also includes a Visio diagram that illustrates the architecture of the Supply Chain application.