convergence

WiFi or cellular data?

Mon, 26 Nov 2007 06:59:57 -0500

If you're an enterprise IT director, one of the most important questions that you face is how will your employees' mobile devices connect to your enterprise applications? When away from the office, will they take advantage of WiFi connections, will they use a high-speed cellular data network, or will you issue devices that do both? As products for the fixed-mobile data convergence market increase in number, carriers and vendors will find it necessary to add functions and features to attract customers. Look for fleet-management, increased security, and custom application support to be among the features added to attract your business to one network or another.

For more on the WiFi or cell question:
- Read the hands' on analysis at WirelessWeek

Get Ready for IMS

Sun, 11 Feb 2007 19:01:36 -0500

IP Multiple Subsystems (IMS) is the technology most likely to take the enterprise into the convergence promised land of wireline, cable and mobile communications systems working in perfect harmony. January's IMS Plugfest at the University of New Hampshire showed that interoperability between different vendor's systems is possible. Plans for future Plugfests include making the interoperability easier. According to the IMS Forum the major finding of the first Plugfest was that standards, while complete, may need to be clarified for maximum compatibility.

For more on IMS and its future:
- read the article at NetworkWorld

Editor's Corner

Sun, 21 Jan 2007 19:01:39 -0500

Convergence Costs
Every few years, editors in high-tech publications get to bring out the "C" word. That's right, convergence has become the hot topic of the new year thanks to a sharp-looking phone at the MacWorld Expo and a rather thin crop of revolutionary products at CES. Convergence between productivity and entertainment, cell phones and web browsers, WiFi and cellular networks, or media creation and media consumption is taking product design in several interesting directions--all leading to more functions in a smaller package.

Those pushing to include more features in fewer cubic inches of space rarely stop to think about how all of this functionality will be managed (and secured) in an enterprise, but administrative questions must be answered before users start showing up with shiny new communicators in their hands. This issue features articles that look at some of the issues raised by the newest crop of phones and products that might just help you keep them under control.

2007 has begun with an unusual level of excitement surrounding enterprise wireless product and service news. If this pace keeps up, we might end the year in a communications landscape that bares only the slightest resemblance to that of the year past. Hang on--this one should be fun.

An 'intelligent' terminal for mobile users

Sun, 12 Nov 2006 19:01:37 -0500

Relying on mobile WiMAX, Samsung Electronic's new foldable mobile device offers phone, PC and music playback capabilities. The Mobile Intelligent Terminal (MIT) features a fold-out keyboard, a five-inch screen and weighs in at just about a pound. It's supposedly the first WiMAX device that supports cellular phone service, according to Samsung which plans initially to launch the tool in South Korea in 2007. The device, which also boasts a camera, MP3 player and video player, uses the CDMA mobile phone standard. Samsung describes the system as the "best example of convergence." Article

QUICKLINKS: Wireless vendor takes on data criminals to protect customer info; WiFi takes a shelf at a top grocer; Wireless to o

Mon, 16 Jan 2006 19:00:50 -0500

> Wireless vendor takes on data criminals to protect customer info. Article

> WiFi takes a shelf at a top grocer. Article

> Wireless spend will soon overtake landline spend. Article

> The future is all about convergence with wireless. Article