Every week we seem to be hit with the next wave of technology and new acronyms which are supposed to carry extensive meaning right off the bat. Since this is never the case - we are about to unfold the mysteries and hype around M-Commerce, which means Mobile Commerce, accessing information via a handheld device.
M-Commerce is a method of providing your sales force with a competitive advantage. It is 24/7/365 data entry, allowing you access to information in real-time such as inventory and sales information.
There are 2 major classes of M-Commerce technologies;
(1) Notification - this is one way sending of data from a central application to remote users using SMS (Short Messaging Systems). Examples include a text paging message.
There are 2 major ways to support SMS. They are;
1. E-mail gateway - very simple and easy to use, drawbacks are there is no confirmation that message was received or read.
2. Direct connect - into a paging network by the
using the TAP (Telocator Alphanumeric Paging)
protocol, or the new SNPP (Simple Network
Paging Protocol). Used for mission critical messaging.
(2) Transaction - this is two-way communication, data input and output, order status, and mutual updating.
There are 5 different classes of transaction processing. They are;
1. CDPD (Cellular Digital Packet Data)
This is an extension of the TCP/IP network. The drawback is you only
get data when a connection is open.
2. Web Networks
Services such as Go America that offers an end-to-end encrypted network for web based applications.
3. SMR (Specialized Mobile Radio)
Marketed under names such as Bell South, these offer fast speed
for rich content and streamlining audio.
4. WAP (Wireless Application Protocol)
This is the new generation of cellular phones. Designed to allow browser
based wireless applications and transaction processing to work on mobile devices.
5. Cellular Data
Simply uses the existing voice cellular network to carry data and can be done
with most phones. Good for low cost text entry or an occasional credit
card authorization.
RemoteCE is both cellular data and a WAP enabled transaction based system and for WAP is currently available for PocketPC devices such as the Symbol PPT 2846, which has built-in bar code scanning and radio frequency communication.
Now it can support very large databases because it accesses it all remotely.
In addition you will shortly be able to use these devices for more day to day personal events such as ordering books, groceries, getting coupons for the store you are at, and being updated about the latest shows and restaurants available in the area/city you are in.
With WAP phones expected to grow to more than 1.3 billion by 2006, it seems to be the way we are going. Portability providing connectivity.
The ability to immediately update information without the need for rekeying
is becoming more critical. Our time is becoming more stretched, and with
every technology that truly does make a task more time and cost-effective,
these are the technologies that will become standard place. So if you're
wondering if you should get a PDA and start to familiarize yourself with them, the answer is probably YES. These can become portable offices, easily synchronizing your remote data with your desk top. If we use this technology wisely, it may be a flash back to the '70's', where we dreamed of having just a little bit more time for ourselves, and less time in the office.
Who knows, but that is what we will be trying to accomplish. So if you ever hear
seagulls in the back of our conversation, you will know we have achieved it, and we can help you get there too.
WAP Hype:
The most overstated fact about WAP is that WAP is promoted, but not really designed for wireless browsing of the World Wide Web.
For more information about M-Commerce and PocketPC devices visit our web site at: www.RemoteDesk.net/pocketpc.htm
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