BUSINESS DRIVEN TECHNOLOGY

Chapter Eighteen Creating a Wireless Organization

LEARNING OUTCOMES

18.1 Explain how a wireless device helps an organization conduct business anytime, anywhere, anyplace

18.2 Discuss three limitations to wireless devices and the effects they can have on an employee’s job performance

18.3 List and discuss the key factors inspiring the growth of wireless technologies

18.4 Describe the impact a mobile organization has on an employee

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN OVERVIEW

• Common examples of wireless devices – Cellular phones and pagers provide connectivity for

portable and mobile applications, both personal and business

– Global positioning systems (GPS) allow drivers of cars and trucks, captains of boats and ships, backpackers, hikers, skiers, and pilots of aircraft to ascertain their location anywhere on earth

– Cordless computer peripherals the cordless mouse is a common example keyboards and printers can also be wirelessly connected to a computer

Common examples of wireless devices (2)

– Home-entertainment-system control boxes the VCR control and the TV channel control are the most common examples; some hi-fi sound systems and FM broadcast receivers also use this technology.

– Two-way radios this includes citizens radio service as well as business, marine, and military communications.

– Satellite television allows viewers in almost any location to select from hundreds of channels

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN OVERVIEW

• Disruptive wireless technologies• WiMax wireless broadband enable wireless networks to extend

as far as 30 miles and transfer information, voice, and video at faster speeds than cable. It is perfect for ISPs that want to expand into sparsely populated areas, when the cost of bringing in cable wiring or DSL is too high

Disruptive wireless technologies (2)

• Radio frequency identification tags (RFID) have potential to reinvent the supply chain. Wal-Mart is already make this happen and all of its suppliers must use the tag for pallets and cases of merchandise.

Disruptive wireless technologies (3)

– Micro hard drives offer gigabyte-level storage capacity and rapid data-transfer rates into tiny, matchbook-size casings.

Disruptive wireless technologies (4)

• Apple’s G5 and AMD’s Athlon 64 processors

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN OVERVIEW

• Wireless device limitations include:– Cell phones increasingly include Web browsers, but

lack the functionality and memory to run customized applications

– Personal digital assistants (PDAs) originally lacking any communications capability are getting connectivity, but generally not to corporate networks

– E-mail devices have surfaced in response to demand, but typically do not include such functions as voice

MOBILE AND WIRELESS TECHNOLOGIES

• Mobile – the technology can travel with the user, but it is not necessarily in real-time

• Wireless – gives users a live (Internet) connection via satellite or radio transmitters

BUSINESS DRIVER FOR WIRELESS TECHNOLOGY

• Wireless growth is occurring because:– Universal access to information and applications– The automation of business processes– User convenience, timeliness, and ability to conduct

business 24x7x365

BUSINESS DRIVER FOR WIRELESS TECHNOLOGY

• United States Wireless Device Users

WIRELESS INDUSTRY OUTLOOK

• Global Internet and wireless users growth

WIRELESS INDUSTRY OUTLOOK

• Current Mobile Phone Users’ Applications Interest

THE WIRELESS CULTURE

• Wireless is making it more difficult to divide work from nonwork

• Over the last 10 to 15 years employees have seen a steady erosion of their personal time as their work day lengthens

CHAPTER EIGHTEENOpening Case Study Questions

1. Why would Dell want to explore the wireless market for new opportunities?

2. With the emergence of mobile technologies, why should leading edge companies be concerned with the lack of compatibility between wireless applications?

3. How could Charles Schwab use wireless technology to increase its market share?

4. Do you think organizations that do not embrace wireless technologies are at a disadvantage? Explain your answer

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN CASEWatching the Weather

• The Weather Channel’s Web site, www.weather.com, features current conditions and forecasts for over 77,000 locations worldwide

• The Weather Channel uses wireless messaging to deliver “severe weather alerts” to subscribers’ cell phones and pagers

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN CASE QUESTIONS

1. Do you consider The Weather Channel’s use of wireless technology disruptive? Why or why not?

2. Review the key factors inspiring the growth of wireless technology and brainstorm a new service The Weather Channel could provide to its customers based on these factors

3. Determine who The Weather Channel’s competitors are and evaluate what it can do to protect its business