WIMS 3 is a Microsoft Access-based relational database, which can be used with associated software and hardware to capture and keep track of weed data. WIMS 3 can be used as a stand-alone database application that resides on your laptop or desktop computer, or it can be used in combination with a handheld unit to collect field data.

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Using WIMS 3 on your Laptop or Desktop PC
To keep track of your weed data, produce reports and shapefiles, and to share data between multiple users, you only need the WIMS 3 Desktop interface. You must have Microsoft Access 2000, 2002 or 2003 installed on your computer to run WIMS 3. WIMS 3 is no longer compatible with Access 97. WIMS 3 can likely run in Access 2007, we just have not yet tried this.

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Using WIMS 3 on a Handheld Unit
If you wish to use WIMS 3 in the field on a handheld unit, you must purchase some software and hardware, as described below.

Required Software
WIMS 3 runs on the ArcPad software application (available through ESRI). ArcPad allows imagery to be shown on your handheld unit while you collect GPS and other associated data. WIMS 3 is compatible with either ArcPad 6.0.3, ArcPad 7.0.1, or ArcPad 7.1. ArcPad costs approximately $500, but individual licenses (at significantly lower cost) may be available if you work for an agency, NGO, educational institution, etc., where you might have a discounted rate per license.

The full versions of ArcPad are available online for download but are crippled with with a 20-minute time-out unless you have a registration license number.

ArcPad 7.1
ArcPad 7.0.1
ArcPad 6.0.3

If you use ArcPad 6.0.3 with MS Windows Mobile 2003, you will need to install this patch: Windows Mobile 2003 patch

TNC no longer has ArcPad 6.0.3 or ArcPad 7.0.1 registration licenses available for staff, but does have ArcPad 7.1 licenses. Ask your state/operating unit GIS or TIS Specialist (TISOM) about obtaining ArcPad 7.1 if you are interested in using WIMS 3.

TNC staff: TNC has a limited number of ArcPad licenses available organization-wide. If you are interested in obtaining an ArcPad license for you to use in the field, please look here for details.

Required Hardware
Any handheld unit based on MS Windows that is capable of running ArcPad can be used to run WIMS 3. If using a Pocket PC handheld, you will also need a GPS unit. You may also use an integrated unit, which combines a handheld and GPS into one unit, such as Trimble GeoXT or XM.

Although we originally programmed WIMS 3 to run on Palm-based PDA units (see bottom of this page), we now only support the continued development of Windows-based handheld units.

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Pocket PC units
Pocket PCs are Microsoft Windows-based (Windows CE) handheld units. Any modern Pocket PC will run WIMS 3, as long as it has sufficient RAM to run the ArcPad application. We have successfully used WIMS 3 on Dell Axim (http://www.dell.com) and HP/Compaq iPAQ (http://www.hp.com) units. A Trimble Recon (http://www.trimble.com/recon_mgis_handheld.shtml) is another option of handheld unit--they come already field-ruggedized, but without a GPS so that you can select your own GPS receiver.

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GPS units
The GPS unit you should purchase depends on which Pocket PC unit you have and how much money you are willing spend to get your desired level of accuracy. We have successfully used Holux (http://www.semsons.com), GlobalSat (http://www.usglobalsat.com) and Pharos GPS units (http://www.pharosgps.com). Several of these GPS units plug directly into the Compact Flash or Secure Digital slots of many Pocket PC units, or they may be Bluetooth (wireless) compatible. There are now several Compact Flash GPS units that are WAAS capable.

Garmin, Magellan and other independent GPS units can be connected to your Pocket PC, but you will need to purchase a cable that connects these two units. A variety of cables are available from Blue Hills Innovations, Inc. (http://www.bluehillsinnovations.com), the GPS store (http://www.thegpsstore.com/Laptop-PDA-Pocket-PC-Palm-GPS-C11.aspx) or a variety of other internet sources.

Integrated Handheld and GPS Units
There are a few handheld devices that have a GPS unit already embedded (or integrated) into the unit. However, be sure that the device can run ArcPad. For instance, some older Garmin iQue units cannot run ArcPad (because they use Palm OS), so therefore cannot run WIMS 3!

Trimble (http://www.trimble.com/mgis_fcgps.shtml) makes several handheld devices that can run WIMS 3. The Trimble GeoXT or GeoXM units are high-end devices ($3,000+) that have an integrated GPS system, have a high level of accuracy (within 3 meters or so), have a battery that can last all day in the field, and come already field-ruggedized. The Trimble Juno has similar features (not ruggedized) and comes at a more affordable price ($650), but we have not tried using these. The newer Garmin iQues (for instance, the M5) can also run WIMS 3, but these units are also not field-ruggedized.

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Optional Equipment
If you select any option besides the Trimble GeoXT or GeoXM, you may want to think about making your handheld unit more rugged for the field. Several options are available depending on what conditions under which you will be collecting field data. The simplest option is to just use a see-through, touch-sensitive, waterproof pouch. AquaPac (http://www.aquapac.net) makes a variety of pouches. For harsher conditions, field ruggedized cases can be purchased through Otter (http://www.otterbox.com).

Depending on your purchase options, travel accessories may also be available through a variety of sources for recharging your unit in the field. For instance, Boxwave (http://www.boxwave.com) makes rechargers and sync cables for many handheld units.

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What happened to the Palm interface?!
As mentioned above, we originally programmed WIMS 3 to be used on Palm-based handheld units. However, Magellan is no longer making GPS units that are compatible with HandSpring PDA units (our original choice, which is also no longer manufactured), and more importantly, the third-party software used to run WIMS 3 on the Palm PDA (SmartList-To-Go, essentially Access for the Palm handheld) refused to keep up with compatibility issues. So we have decided that it was too difficult to keep WIMS 3 updated in two in different formats. Additionally, the Palm units do not have the mapping capability of ArcPad on the Pocket PC units. Therefore, we have decided to discontinue further development of the WIMS 3 Palm platform.