The creation of WiMAX wireless technology is in the forefront of mobile wireless technology as the movement begins to move to the 4G realm.  With the movement into a different technology, questions arise regarding what the possibilities of WiMAX can be.  The paper will discuss the advantages of WiMAX wireless technology, how WiMAX compares to current Wi-Fi technology, how the implementation process of WiMAX will be executed, and the potential value/impact WiMAX wireless technology will have on modern firms and businesses.

Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access or WiMAX wireless technology has several advantages including the capability to deliver speeds several times faster than the current 3G wireless technology.  WiMAX is capable of delivering speeds as fast 70 megabits per second, which is as fast as broadband service(Brain and Grabianowski, 2009). Not only are the delivery speeds faster but coverage areas covered by WiMAX is also increased up to 30 miles to allow more users to access the connection.  With the availability of WiMAX and the strength of its signal being as strong as cable and DSL services, WiMAX can be used as an alternative to cable and DSL internet services.  Cable and DSL requires the use of cable hook ups, which is an added cost that is reflected in the high prices of monthly fees paid for internet services.  Clearwire can provide WiMAX internet services for as low as $30 a month and is completely wireless for the user.  The features WiMAX has to offer are wonderful but how does it compare to Wi-Fi.

WiMAX and Wi-Fi have similarities and differences alike.  The main similarity between WiMAX and Wi-Fi is the means of transmission of data using radio signals.  The use of radio signals to transmit data allows for WiMAX and Wi-Fi to both transmit wirelessly. The differences with WiMAX and Wi-Fi begin with the coverage distance allowable by both technologies.  Wi-Fi is able to transmit data over a distance of about 100 feet, while WiMAX is able to cover an area of 30 miles with wireless access.  The use of a different frequency and the power of the WiMAX transmitter allow for the increased range.  Speed is another difference where WiMAX is able to transmit data at a faster rate.  Under optimal conditions WiMAX is able to transmit up 70 megabits per second, while Wi-Fi is only able to transmit up to 54 megabits per second(Brain and Grabianowski, 2009).  In the area of speed and distance of coverage WiMAX wireless technology is superior to Wi-Fi, but how can WiMAX be implemented in today’s market.

How is WiMAX going to be implemented into today’s market?  The implementation involves the building of WiMAX towers that are connected directly to a wired connection.  The WiMAX towers are able to send the signals then to other towers through line-of-sight transmissions which hold a higher frequency, which has less interference and a higher bandwidth.  Non-line-of-sight transmissions would hold a deliver a lower wavelength signal which is better at diffracting and bending around obstacles.  The signals would be picked up by a WiMAX receiver that is set up at a home or built into a laptop.  Having a WiMAX receiver built into a laptop would allow for a connection all over the coverage area.  The company currently undertaken the huge task of implementing WiMAX coverage across America is Clearwire.  Clearwire has gathered partners and investors from industry leaders in mobile internet from companies such as:  Intel Capital, Comcast, Sprint, Google, Time Warner Cable, Bright House Networks, and Samsung(“About CLEAR,” 2009).  The investor backing is needed as each WiMAX tower costs $150,000 to build.  The cities that Clearwire has provided WiMAX internet coverage include Seattle, Portland, Las Vegas, Boise, Chicago, and Philadelphia amongst other cities.  So what type of impact will a WiMAX wireless technology have on firms and businesses today?

WiMAX wireless technology will allow for faster movement and execution of business activities.  Having an entire city covered in WiMAX internet coverage will no longer limit business to their office spaces or Wi-Fi hotspots in order to stay connected.  City wide coverage means an always on connection that is also as fast as cable and DSL connections.  WiMAX technology will no longer limit opportunities, but open them up for businesses and individuals alike.

Wimax Technology.  Retreived November 29, 2009 from http://www.intel.com/technology/wimax/

http://money.cnn.com/2009/02/05/technology/WiMaxs_last_hope_fortt.fortune/index.htm

In Steve Mollman’s  article, “Solar gadgets for when you’re on the go,” Mollman discusses the different types of portable solar devices that utilize the sun’s power to generate energy for the tiny devices.  One such device acts as charger able to use on the go, called the Kinesis K3 from Kinesis Industries in Arizona.  The K3 has a mini wind turbine when attached to a bike can capture wind energy while on your way to your destination and once arrived can collect solar energy from the sun.  The charger can then be used to charge a variety of devices from a cell phone or iPod(Mollman, 2009).

Another device developed by a California firm called Novothink has introduced Apple certified protective cases for iPhones and iPod Touches with built in solar panels on the back.  Carrying the device on the outside will allow it to charge the Apple iphone or iPod Touch with the direct link connected to the battery.  A variation of solar charger device offered by Voltaic Systems are solar bags used to charge up electronic devices.  The notion behind the solar bag is that with protective cases being able to do the same thing, they are a majority of time they are held in dark places such as pockets and bags.  A solar bag will be more efficient for it will be held outside in the light and be able to harness the solar energy more fully.

The article relates to the chapter more specifically the social entrepreneurship: going green section as it shows effective use of solar energy.  Being able to harness solar energy is an effective measure that lowers energy consumption.  Effective use of energy helps to conserve the Earth’s resources and helps a business boost their company’s image.

Mollman, S. (2009).  Solar gadgets for when you’re on the go.  Retreived November 18, 2009, from http://edition.cnn.com/2009/TECH/11/12/solar.gadgets/index.html

In reading the article from Telcomworldwire, “IBM and QBE signs outsourcing infrastructure constract,” the article discusses IT company IBM agreement with QBE Insurance Group, a specialist business insurer, to manage the information technology infrastructure of QBE’s UK and Western European offices.

The agreement will make major changes to QBE programming and cover the development  and maintenance of QBE’s information technology support services(IBM and QBE, 2009).  The outsourcing of the job responsibilities to IBM will allow QBE to better be able manage prioritize its operations.  IBM will be working from their Portsmouth data centre to support the business all while virtualisation of the server  will reduce QBE’s carbon footprint and provide a higher availability and scalability for business growth(IBM and QBE, 2009).

The IBM and QBE outsourcing contract is a perfect example of a company outsourcing their operations in order to gain advantage in their operations sector. Outsourcing has many benefits that include gaining increased quality and efficiency of processes and increased flexibility allowing to respond quickly to changing market demands.  Also the access to IBM’s expertise will allow QBE to take advantage of resources other than their own.  The article also exemplifies the reach IBM has within the IT world.  Taking over QBE’s operations in the UK and Western Europe shows the global reach IBM has and the QBE’s trust in using its resources to take over their operations.  QBE’s reliance on IBM information technology will provide them access to an array of service QBE was not able to achieve on its own.

IBM and QBE signs outsourcing infrastructure constract.  Retrieved November 12, 2009  from http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m4PRN/is_2009_Oct_30/ai_n39398017/?tag=content;col1

In the article, “Rexel to Install Eclipse,” found in the magazine Electrical Wholesaling, the article discusses Rexel’s move to convert the entire chain of distribution operations to the Eclipse enterprise resource planning software system.  Rexel is a distributor of electrical parts and supplies. Due to Rexel’s size, which was achieved primarily from acquisition of other companies, the deal is one of the largest single deals Activant has done. The move to Activant’s Eclipse ERP system comes after Rexel use of multiple use of different software in the past.  Eclipse’s system will allow for greater efficiencies than what previously was achieved.  The implementation process of Rexel’s system will begin with their back-office operations and will continuously then be implemented in phases to the company’s different branches.     By early 2010, Rexel’s Northeast region will be the first to move to the Eclipse ERP system and full implementation is expected within two to three years.

The article is a perfect example of Rexel seeking a quality ERP software that aligns with the overall business processes that are being performed within the company.  Activant’s Eclipse ERP system is the system that was able to fulfill Rexel’s needs in their business sector.  Rexel was only able to choose the Eclipse ERP system only after several failed attempts from previous systems that had been used.  Rexel will soon be able to measure to success of the Eclipse system by using the balance scorecard system in the future.  Only then will Rexel realize the business efficiencies brought by their investment.

Rexel to Install Eclipse.  Retrieved on November 5, 2009 from http://ewweb.com/mag/electric_rexel_install_eclipse/index.html

In an article from BusinesWire.com, “Einstein Noah Restaurant Group, Inc. Chooses ArrowStream Supply Chain Management Solutions to Gain Efficiencies, Savings,” the discussions is regarding Einstein Noah Restaurant Group(ENRGI) enhancing its supply chain management operations by agreeing to do business with ArrowStream, a leading provider of supply chain solutions for the foodservice industry.

ENRGI choose ArrowStream’s software system, OnDemand due to its ability to help the company’s improve the bottom line and improve its cost savings. With OnDemand, ENRGI will be synchronized with ArrowStream’s distribution network and trading partners, allowing for more informed inventory management decisions, promotions management, and accurate spend rationalization(“Einstein Noah,” 2009).

By ENRGI switching to OnDemand, ENGRI is simply adapting to current partners technology. With 80 percent of ENRGI’s partners already participating in ArrowStream’s Network, ENRGI will quickly be able to take advantage of their new software solution. ENRGI’s goals to reduce category spend, control price variance, have less stock outs and rely less their current inefficient manual process helping to better control costs and implement improvements.

The article relates to Ch. 8, “Operations Management and Supply Chain Management,” because it deals with ENRGI implementing new supply chain management software that will improve its overall business operations. OnDemand will give ENRGI a boost to their overall business operations and allow for more accurate decision making that will benefit everyone from the suppliers to the customers by offering quicker service.

Einstein Noah Restaurant Group, Inc. Chooses ArrowStream Supply Chain Management Solutions to Gain Efficiencies, Savings. Retrieved on October 15, 2009 from http://www.businesswire.com/portal/site/home/permalink/?ndmViewId=news_view&newsId=20091013006087&newsLang=en

In the article, “AT&T approves VoIP for iPhone,” the discussion focuses on the capability of the iPhone to be able to use VoIP applications, most specifically Skype. Voice over Internet Protocol(VoIP) transmits voice calls over long distance phone lines using a data network. AT&T’s previous stand is to not allow VoIP apps over their 3G network, but allowing the use over any Wi-Fi network. Allowing customers the ability to now make phone calls over AT&T’s 3G network is huge, for now phone calls can be made without customer’s using their wireless minutes. Although AT&T’s reluctance to allow VoIP apps has merit, AT&T implemented the use of VoIP due to customer demand for the use of the application. The availability of VoIP apps will be available soon over a 3G network as apps begin to be implemented onto the iPhone.

The article directly relates to Ch. 7, “Networks, Telecommunications, and Mobile Technology,” as it discusses the use of VoIP over AT&T’s 3G network, a form of cellular technology. VoIP was previously criticized for the poor call quality and low call completion rates, but today VoIP is able to offer the same call quality of phone calls made of over landlines. Drawbacks to the use of VoIP include its susceptibility to the threats that occur over a data network. VoIP can be intercepted or captured so VoIP must me be secured in order to prevent such occurrences.

AT&T approves VoIP for iPhone. Retreived October 8, 2009 from http://scitech.blogs.cnn.com/2009/10/07/att-approves-voip-for-iphone/

In the Stephanie Chen’s article, “iPhone apps helps track sex offenders, spot crime,” Chen discusses the innovative use of applications on the iPhone that aid the public in avoiding dangerous situations and being safe. One example, the Offender Locator, is an application that helps to identify sex offenders within a 10-mile radius. The Offender Locator allows for concerned parents to enter an address into the iPhone and a lists of names is displayed on the screen of the sex offenders in the area. A simple click on one of the names will display a photo of the offender complete with full details of the offenses for which they were convicted. Another application being launched this month by Intelius Inc., called Date Check will allow a person to be able to do background check instantly while on a blind date. But according to Lillie Coney, associate director at the Electronic Privacy Information Center, a public interest group warns that crime-fighting apps can spread inaccurate and misleading information(Chen, 2009).

The article displays an example of lack of high quality information of the applications such as the Offender Locator and Date Checker. Lack of accuracy in the misspellings of names and display of information can mislead users. Lack of timeliness of information can sometimes not display updated address changes of sex offenders or even updated information that shows the offender still on the list when they are not. Creating an application that provides real-time information would be the ultimate goal, but at the moment that is not possible. As some of the applications disclose with their use, “Information may not be accurate or up-to-date.” So information must be taken accordingly as users do not know which information is up to date.

Chen, S. (2009). iPhone apps helps track sex offenders, spot crime. Retrieved September 30, from http://www.cnn.com/2009/CRIME/09/29/iphone.app.fight.crime/index.html#cnnSTCText

In Priya Ganapati’s article, “Why Verizon’s phones aren’t more exciting,” Ganapati discusses the reasons why the wireless cell phone provider, Verizon Wireless known for having the best network, have the worst smartphones. Verizon already a leader in areas of call coverage and quality but when it comes to having the newest high tech cell phones, Verizon still falls behind to AT&T, T-Mobile, and Sprint. Just two weeks ago Motorola unveiled their first Android phone, the Cliq which will sell exclusively with T-Mobile. Motorola co-CEO Sanjay Jha told Wire.com, “We never considered another carrier for this phone(Ganapati, 2009).” The top wireless carriers are releasing new Smartphones but Verizon plays the conservative approach. With T-Mobile unveiling the Cliq, Sprint releasing the Palm Pre and will later launch the HTC Hero later this year, and AT&T having the iPhone, Verizon has not had its focus on the products it offers but focuses on the service it provides.

The article is an example of Verizon’s infrastructure architecture not able to provide enough quality high end cell phones. Verizon’s lack of flexibility has not allowed the company to be able to adapt to other technology’s thus leaving Verizon without the use of popular phones. Verizon did not plan ahead as other carriers, such as AT&T released smartphones like the iPhone, which changed the entire direction the smartphone technology was heading and left Verizon behind. Another example is Verizon lack of interoperability, which is a form of application architecture, has not allowed its technology to work with that of other manufactures. For example, Verizon is not able to sell Nokia branded cell phones because Nokia largely makes GSM phones. The GSM phones will not work on Verizon’s CDMA network thus relatively a whole company’s brand of phones are not sold with Verizon. The lack of planning and vision into the future of the business has left Verizon solely to focus on its services but leave it behind in the release of new phones.

Ganapati, P. (2009). Why Verizon’s phones aren’t more exciting. Retrieved September 24, 2009, from http://www.cnn.com/2009/TECH/09/17/verizon.cellphones/index.html

In Hilary Whiteman’s article, “Security experts warn of dangers of rogue Wi-Fi hotspots,” Whiteman discusses the potential danger of travelers at an airport logging onto an unsafe Wi-Fi network. The danger of logging onto a rogue network is that hackers are able to gain access into people’s laptops and steal valuable personal information. Being able to distinguish between a good Internet access hotspot and a rogue is a problem that hackers aim to provide unsuspecting users of Wi-Fi. In 2008, AirTight Networks dispatched a number of so-called “white hat” hackers to 27 airports around the world to test the vulnerability of their Wi-Fi systems. They found that 80 percent of the private Wi-Fi networks tested were open or poorly protected(Whiteman, 2009).

In an effort to test the danger to unprotected Wi-Fi users, computer security expert Sean Remnant acted as a “white hat” hacker in London’s Heathrow airport. With the use of a laptop and a downloaded program called Airodump, Remnant quickly is able to see 20 wireless networks on his screen with about 5 having weak server security, but to regular Wi-Fi users’ eye not easily detectable.

According to Wi-Fi Alliance’s marketing director, Kelly Davis-Felner, the best way to protect one from unsuspecting hackers is to just enable the built-in security features on Wi-Fi enabled devices. Also using a Virtual Private Network(VPN), which encrypts data coming and going from your laptop will be able protect more sensitive information. Other tips in order to avoid being a victim of hackers is use networks you trust, make a list of Wi-Fi connections used and also to disconnect the wireless connection when not using it.

Whiteman, H. (2009). Security experts warn of dangers of rogue Wi-Fi hotspots. Retrieved September 16, 2009, from CNN Technology http://www.cnn.com/2009/TECH/science/08/11/wifi.security.hackers/index.html

In Charlie Sorrel’s “A tale of two iPods: Why the Touch has no camera,” Sorrel points out the reasoning behind Apple decision of not putting a camera on the iPod Touch, but putting it instead in the iPod Nano. By installing a video camera in the iPod Nano, Apple hopes to boost the sales of the sporty fitness Nano. The Nano’s video camera was introduced with reference to Flip’s own tiny, no-zoom camcorder(Sorrel, 2009).The new Nano will also have a FM turner that would allow for the pausing of live radio and being able to rewind up to 15 minutes with the buffer. The iTunes-Tagging will be able to save the song and allow the user to be able to purchase in on iTunes.
The implementation of a camera into the iPod Nano is a form of sustaining technology that will encourage current iPod Nano users that have older versions to upgrade to the new Nano if the ability to use the video camera capabilities and the FM radio are features they would like to have. I also see the Nano as a form of disruptive technology as it takes onto a new market of having a video recorder ready to use with a simple click, a technology that still is not available in any other iPod. Venturing out into a different market is smart as Apple will be able to appeal to a larger audience that value the camcorder feature.
The improved capabilities of the iPod Nano will give Flip’s own version of the camcorder competition and possible take some customers who also seek the music listening feature in their video recorder.

Sorrel, C. (2009). A tale of two iPods: Why the Touch has no camera. Retrieved September 10, 2009, from CNN Technology
Web: http://www.cnn.com/2009/TECH/09/10/ipod.cameras.flip/index.html

In Eliot Van Buskirk’s article, “$1million Netflix prize to be awarded soon,” Buskirk shines the spotlight on the a contest that software engineers and mathematicians have been competing in for the last 3 years that involves Netflix awarding the winner 1 million dollars. The contestants goal in the competition is to develop a movie recommendation system that will improve the current system in place by 10 percent. As it stands, two teams are in the run for first prize with Bellkor’s Pragmatic Chaos taking the early lead by developing a 10.05 percent improvement of Netflix’s system in June. Netflix then allowed a 30 day window in order for the other teams to catch up. The Ensemble was able to do so by creating a 10.10 percent improvement within the window frame which was better than Bellkor’s Pragmatic Chaos of now 10.09 percent(Van Buskirk, 2009).

The contest Netflix issued to the public was a very successful idea in order to involve many minds and also give them full incentive to succeed by issuing out a 1 million dollar prize to the winner. The business process reengineering Netflix is conducting to the recommendation system in the end will make their current system faster and convenient for its customers. The recommendation system of Netflix is a key aspect to their business as a means to providing superior service to its customers. The winner Netflix chooses will be the system that has met certain criteria and tests that Netflix will discuss come September 21, 2009 when the winner is announced to receive their 1 million dollar prize.

Van Buskirk, E. (2009). $1 million Netflix prize to be awarded soon. Retrieved September 2, 2009, from CNN Technology
Web:http://www.cnn.com/2009/TECH/09/02/netflix.prize/index.html