hurdle

QUICKLINKS: Why the iPhone isn't a big threat to the BlackBerry; Yahoo has big plans to be 'the' mobile portal; Much more...

Mon, 15 Jan 2007 19:01:35 -0500

Why the iPhone isn't a big threat to the BlackBerry. Article

Yahoo has big plans to be 'the' mobile portal. Article

San Francisco municipal wireless plans hit first hurdle. Article

The threats pushing managed mobile security into the spotlight. Article

Energy costs will push mobile operators to use WiMax and WiFi. Article

The expected evolution of fixed-mobile convergence. Article

How a wireless network keeps inventory in check

Sun, 30 Apr 2006 20:01:38 -0400

A leading aerospace company has built a wireless local area network (WLAN) system that will help it keep track of parts and manufacturing tools and boost inventory functions. The Boeing Company runs one of the largest plants in business today, covering almost 100 acres at 472 million cu. ft. The facility in Everett, WA, is also home to the development of the company's 787 super jumbo jet that should take flight this summer. Keeping track of all the equipment and manufacturing tools in such a large facility is not easy. The process was labor intensive and costly until the IT department brought in location tracking on a WLAN. Now engineers can quickly find and assemble parts and airplane kits, and very little goes missing or lost. That means less money spent on replacement parts and greater productivity, say IT leaders.

The first step was setting up a tagging system using the company's using an 802.11 network. But not everything has been tagged with RFID tags as the cost of the tags is still pretty pricey, so Boeing tagged items on components and tools "valuable enough" to warrant the cost. Now up and running, the company is discovering that the WLAN is useful for a slew of other business needs and is seeing benefits all over the tech map--from better security and management to quality of service gains. The new hurdle is now how to manage all the tracking data being collected. However, IT leaders seem confident that with a good management strategy the data management piece will also reap big benefits. Article

Editor's Corner

Sun, 13 Nov 2005 19:01:40 -0500

No matter which publication--tech or consumer-focused--there is wireless news happening everywhere. What I find most interesting are the technology trends. Gaining insight on how the technology is advancing outside of the US is typically a good barometer for keeping the hype factor in check.

That's why an article on how wireless is advancing in South Korea caught my eye today. In fact, South Korea is way ahead of us (the US) when it comes to wireless deployments, user base and new telco services. For example, while US devices can receive and display digital images, Korean phones can create that type of content. Their phones are already being used to help residents avoid traffic jams--an application that is just being piloted around the US. The country's telecommunication vendors are building faster and more robust mobile device chips that will boost even better data capabilities--functionality that US enterprises likely won't see for a while.

The big hurdle on our side is that our vendor and service communities are a bit behind the curve. According to experts, once our companies get past that hurdle, we'll be experiencing all the same great wireless innovation that South Koreans are now enjoying. - Judy

QUICKLINKS: Why the telecom act needs to be spruced up a bit; Taiwan could be home to biggest WiMax deployment; Much more...

Sun, 23 Oct 2005 20:00:50 -0400

Why the telcom act needs to be spruced up a bit. Article

Taiwan could be home to biggest WiMax deployment to date. Article

Networks will help shape future business model and IT services. Report

Why 3G is proving to be a big handset challenge for vendors. Article

How mobile phones might become top transportation data tool. Article

Even Microsoft has a new smart phone out for sale. Article

Emerging GPS capability could foster more intelligent workplaces. Article

Using balloons to provide wireless broadband access. Article

ActiveSync mobile app has synchronization hurdle. Article