 Wireless
Resources
Introduction
Internal Commitment
Assessing Value and Cost
Development Methodology
Re-use of Modules
Selecting Wireless Devices
Introduction
Introducing wireless services to an organization can have
dramatic impact on business operations as well as the individuals
working within an organization. With the successful use of
wireless services, individuals working with the organization
(either as a member of the organization of as an agent) can
access information and take actions that would otherwise be
impossible. There is an increased ability to respond to customer
service issues and to find needed products. Answers can be
given on the spot, rather than "getting back" or
involving others in the service requests.
In the near term, such ability to respond quickly and effectively
to customer needs creates competitive advantage. In the longer
term, this ability is likely to represent a "price of
admissions" and the ability to respond immediately will
be part of a customer's expectation.
However, there are many considerations to successfully introduce
wireless services. The success of a venture into the wireless
world will depend on the effectiveness and ability of the
overall introduction team to recognize and successfully address
the factors.
TetherFree has developed a set of planning, development and
deployment processes to address the needs of companies who
are introducing wireless services. These processes include:
1. Internal Commitment
2. Assessing value and costs
3. Development Methodology
4. Re-use of Modules
5. Selecting Wireless Devices
6. Selecting Wireless Carriers
7. Infrastructure
TetherFree products and services are built around the successful
use of these processes. This document outlines the processes
and approaches used by successful companies and by TetherFree
on behalf of it's clients.
Back to Top
Internal Commitment
Internal sales for corporate initiatives often spells the
difference between successful change projects and those that
either fail to materialize or which are completed but which
fail to achieve intended results. The engagement of the staff
affected by a change, and to develop the processes under which
that staff participates in the planning and execution of the
changes will spell the difference between successful change
and failure. Internal sales of a corporate initiative can
be readily accepted in cases where the benefits are apparent,
where the interests of the affected organizations are clear
and in line with the primary objective of the project, and
in which the key staff of the affected organization is involved.
Critical factors:
1. Active buy-in to overall objectives and methodology, e.g.,
move to wireless solutions
2. Participation by the affected organizations. Either directly
or through a trusted representative
3. Absence of threats in a successful implementation, e.g.,
job dislocation, etc.
4. Close cooperation and teamwork between the TetherFree led
project team (internal and external members) and the affected
organizations
5. On-going communication through meetings, e-mails etc.,
that keeps all the affected staff informed and involved
6. Clear identity of the business objectives to be achieved
and how the improvement will be measured.
It is very important that the overall objectives of the corporation
are understood and the relationship between those objectives
and specific wireless projects are clearly understood by the
staff in affected departments. TetherFree believes that the
time taken at the outset of the wireless initiative can pay
large dividends as the projects are undertaken and plans for
development and deployment are made.
In cases where these critical factors are not present or are
being overlooked, the internal sale and the ultimate deployment
will be difficult and results will not be as projected. There
are many examples where corporate initiatives have failed
to move forward as planned and / or where results have not
been achieved due to lack of appreciation of internal forces
at work.
Back to Top
Assessing Value and Cost
Clearly, wireless technology is a convenience for individuals
and a facilitator to the effective and efficient conduct of
business. The ability of key individuals to address customer
requests and issues cannot be measured. Customers will have
an overall image of a company that can effectively address
their requests on the spot. Customers will continue to do
business with those companies that can do so.
On the other hand, there are values and costs that can be
assessed. The opportunity to offer on-the-spot ordering can
increase sales and revenues. And the opportunity for key staff
to see additional customers, to eliminate staffing to answer
calls from the field, to reduce the number of inventory points,
etc., are examples of ways to reduce real costs. There are
real and measurable values for the adoption of wireless services.
The costs to adopt such services are significant. Among the
costs to be considered are:
1. Strategy and planning for wireless processes
2. Design of wireless applications
3. Development of the applications
4. Engagement of wireless carriers
5. Procurement of wireless devices
6. Training and support for users
7. Operating infrastructure
8. Maintenance of wireless applications
9. Surveillance assessment of new wireless technologies
TetherFree's packaged services and applications platform minimizes
these costs and offers a nimble and fast approach to adopting
the wireless devices. In addition, TetherFree offers a subscription
model that helps clients avoid many "up-front" costs,
and allows them to pay only for services as those services
are delivered. This subscription approach and the implicit
reduction in costs of operation and management make the TetherFree
offering singularly attractive for many clients.
Back to Top
Development Methodology
The client's interests will drive TetherFree development methodology,
particularly the strategy for the speed at which the corporation
can change and respond to technological and business changes.
Naturally, the costs of making changes is important and must
be part of a methodology
TetherFree factors to consider are:
1. Working relationship with participants in the strategy
for defined projects
2. Reliability of the project participants to complete their
responsibilities
3. Cost of development, including the resources diverted within
the client organization, and the monetary costs for project
execution
4. Costs for operating the solutions.
5. Opportunities for cost savings related to re-use of some
or all of the work in one project for use in other projects.
6. Costs for on-going maintenance of the systems resulting
from project work.
7. Capacity to provide needed services, including planning,
organizational interface and deployment
An overall framework will be set for undertaking the overall
corporate wireless initiative. This will set the processes
and expectations under which individual projects will be undertaken.
TetherFree factors to consider will be:
1. Selection of the project participants
2. Identity of business results
3. Boundaries in which solutions can be defined. Boundaries
can be the use of specific technologies, e.g., WAP, the amount
of capital expenditures, the amount of time allocated, the
ROI for the project, etc.
4. The accountability for the individual projects. Preferably
a key person from the affected department(s).
Individual projects will be clearly identified and tracked.
Overall corporate results will be tracked, in part, by the
sum of the individual project successes.
Recommendations:
1. Start with one (or two) projects and use it as a pilot
for other projects. Develop the processes and metrics, along
with comfort level with participants.
2. Use an applications platform that not only allows but facilitates
re-usability.
3. Select an approach to applications, which gives business
users maximum control over the systems that will be implemented.
4. Select an approach that can be easily modified and kept
up to date as technology and user needs change.
5. Use outside firms, which have a track record of working
well with large organizations and with whom project participants
will develop a strong working relationship.
 Once
a project has been selected, the unique capabilities of
TetherFree can be more fully used. TetherFree has developed
methodology, including an application platform that facilitates
the development and deployment of wireless applications.
The use of this platform provides development and deployment
more quickly and at less cost than would otherwise be required.
TetherFree has filed for two patents for these designs and
methodologies. The processes and designs will dramatically
change the development of wireless initiatives. Our unique
wireless molecular applications platform will obsolete the
current IT project paradigm. The savings in time and cost
for the project and the significant savings, which will
be generated as new programs and wireless alternatives are
being phased in will be significant. Please see attached
diagram.
The addition of wireless applications is addressed in ways
that have parallels to standard IT projects. They can be
viewed as follows:
a) The business process is defined, and the steps in accomplishing
the task are specifically determined and sequenced.
b) Data tables and elements are identified to support the
business process steps. This includes elements required
for verification as well as modification and change.
c) Interaction with existing systems is defined so that
security and systems loading can be assessed and planned.
d) Wireless applications are developed and tested.
e) With proper approvals, deployment and training is conducted.
The availability of advanced tools to facilitate the wireless
applications simplifies the process and speeds the delivery
of wireless solutions.
TetherFree is ideally positioned to provide advanced services
to clients adopting wireless initiatives. TetherFree has
special capabilities for companies engaging wireless technologies.
Not only has TetherFree developed technology and a modular
application platform, it has developed a strong relationship
with some large organizations.
1) TetherFree has successfully delivered multiple projects.
Projects have been delivered with high levels of customer
satisfaction in terms of:
. functionality
. timeliness
. costs
. working relationships
. focus on overall project success; ability to step
outside defined roles to assure successful projects.
2) TetherFree has developed methodology, including an application
platform, that facilitates the development and deployment
of wireless applications. The use of this platform provides
development and deployment more quickly and at less cost
than would otherwise be possible. TetherFree has filed two
patents for these designs and methodologies. The processes
and designs will dramatically change this development model
for wireless initiatives in general. Our unique wireless
molecular application platform will obsolete the current
IT project paradigm. We feel that the savings in time and
cost for the project will be significant as the TetherFree
molecular applications platform is employed and has projected
savings of 30% or more.
3) TetherFree's application platform promotes the direct
role of business users in the construction and assembly
of their respective applications.
4) The TetherFree platform includes a library of applets
that are used in assembly of solutions. This promotes the
re-use of common processes and application capabilities.
This not only saves development and maintenance cost, but
it also promotes efficient processes throughout the client's
organization.
5) TetherFree will undertake individual projects on behalf
of the client, in addition to overall planning and commitment
for all wireless projects. For all such projects, TetherFree
will be fully accountable for the delivery of services for
the respective projects, including the work of any sub-contractors,
which might be engaged.
6) The design of the TetherFree platform allows the easy
adoption of new technologies and devices as they become
available. Simple updates to a few modules will allow deployment
in multiple locations.
7) For each project, TetherFree will provide a definitive
proposal under which the product will be developed and deployed.
8) Working relationships between TetherFree and a given
client's operating units will be positive and strong. TetherFree
has not only worked in support of internal initiatives,
but has worked in tough and competitive "trials"
which have externally imposed time frames and functionality
challenges. References are provided as needed and can be
readily verified.
TetherFree offers a powerful opportunity for companies to
implement wireless technologies. The proprietary designs
and approaches of TetherFree will bring speed of deployment
and efficiency of costs that cannot be offered by other
companies.
Back to Top
Re-use of Modules
Best practices and efficient use of resources puts emphasis
on the use of established and proven processes and modules.
TetherFree's application platform and approach promotes
the selection and use of proven processes. In designing
wireless applications, clients will select modules that
have been designed, developed and tested so that up-front
costs and effort are reduced. Further costs for maintenance
and operations are minimized.
To increase re-use of modules and components TetherFree's
strategy incorporates the following modern software management
principles and elements:
1. The central design element: TetherFree will base the
process on an architecture-first approach
(design and integration first, then testing and production).
visual modeling)
4. The control element: Establish a change management
environment (including metrics, trends, and process
instrumentation)
5. The automation element: Enhance change freedom through
tools that support round-trip engineering
(complementary tools and integrated environments)
Back to Top
Selecting Wireless Devices
Many factors will direct the selection of wireless devices.
1. Form factor - Screen sizes and data entry
capabilities are very important to individuals as they interact
with applications. Some applications call for larger displays
to accommodate added data or graphics. Some applications
call for more data entry, thereby indicating some kind of
small keyboard.
TetherFree has experience with many kinds of wireless devices.
Including Palm Pilots, "Smart" phones, two-way
pagers, and other devices. TetherFree is prepared to deliver
applications on any of these devices, and to work with clients
as well as manufacturers and carriers to select devices
to maximize the productivity and the client strategy.
In addition, TetherFree's proprietary approach to the application
platform ensures that investments made in application are
preserved as needs may change and as new technologies are
introduced.
 2.
Need for voice (telephone) service - Cellular
phones are used by many or most business people, and by
nearly every mobile worker. There is a need to reduce the
number of devices that the mobile worker must carry. Therefore,
it may be desirable to have applications accessed through
a data capable phone. Integration of voice and data in applications
offer additional benefits, reducing the need for doing data
entry through small "key pads". Although existing
data phones have limited inherent data capabilities, the
ability to integrate voice usage (through consolidating
devices and/or through integrating voice with applications)
makes data "smart" phones desirable for some applications.
3. Tolerance for latency - The ability to
interact directly with a database is always attractive.
To be able to search, to order, to identify immediately
will always be the objective. Today's technologies and infrastructure,
however, offer this capability only in high density areas,
where the infrastructure has been most fully developed,
and in limited areas where private networks have been specially
built. Even in these locations, service can be limited due
to "shielding" and/or from radio frequency interference.
An alternative can be the use of two-way "paging"
networks. Today's technologies offer very attractive capabilities
through Page Writers, RIM, and other devices focused on
two way wireless communication through widely installed
networks. These networks provide almost ubiquitous access,
even within buildings or shielded locations. Limitations
are related to direct and immediate interaction. Tasks and
transactions can be completed, but there can be a "latency"
period of a few seconds to a few minutes. For many applications,
the advantages of reliable and ubiquitous access outweigh
the desire for immediate interaction.
TetherFree has experience with many kinds of wireless device
and will work with the client to maximize strategy and operations
for that client. Independence from close alignment with
a particular technology or set of devices gives assurance
that the client will receive the best solution for their
situation. In addition, the client is assured that applications
can be adapted to new devices as new technology is introduced
and as client strategy evolves.
Selecting Wireless Carriers
The availability, quality and speed of today's wireless
data communications varies substantially in different parts
of the world. In many areas, there may be high quality voice
service without adequate data service. About 93% of the
population in the U.S. currently has adequate data access
from at least one of the wireless carriers. Selection of
a carrier involves analysis of the specific coverage area,
the level of service offered, and the kinds of devices supported.
TetherFree has experience with many of the wireless carriers,
in North America and in other parts of the world. TetherFree
is prepared to work with clients to select a carrier and
services that best suit the locations to be supported and
the capabilities that are needed.
Infrastructure
The needed infrastructure for any given client targeting
WAP enabled devices should address key technical and operational
aspects including:
1. WAP Gateway server's software/hardware platform and their
geographic location
2. Interoperability between carrier and WAP Gateway (on
global scale across continents and carriers)
3. Provisioning and procurement of the devices (phones,
PDA's, etc.)
4. Security and network accessibility.
5. Application server hardware and software platform and
geographic location
6. Process to identify applications to be available on WAP.
Equipment needs to be hosted in data center environment
with all requirements of 24x7 operations met including fault
tolerance and no single point of failure design. Specifics
of hardware (servers' memory, CPUs and routers) need to
be evaluated based on the load and performance requirements.
The recommended scalable software platform is Unix with
Oracle database as data depository for user maintenance
and system control.
Back to Top
|
 |
|
