Update SQL from standalone laptops

[GerryGoldberg]

I have 25 users running an A97 application that uses a SQL 7 database. This application tracks many aspects of patient visits to various health care clinics, including medical test results, medication and supplies inventory and case management referrals. The SQL side of the application uses a number of triggers to update a variety of tables based on actions at the user interface. Currently, the system supports a number of standalone laptops that are used in remote clinics where the SQL database is not accessible by periodically providing a standalone version of the application for read-only purposes. However, plans are under way to allow data entry to be performed on these laptops, thus creating the problem of how to update the SQL database.

My problem is to devise a method to periodically update the SQL database with data that has been entered on the laptops in the field. Because the functions performed on the remote laptops, the trigger processing is not necessary. However, the tables affected by the triggers must be updated when importing data from these laptops.

My question is whether there is a magical Replication solution to this problem or must I implement as A97 solution to accomplish the updating of the database?

Any ideas would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,

Gerry Goldberg