Version 1.1

1
Introduction

• This first session is an introduction to the
  module - setting the scene and some module ground
  rules
• All the technology is state of the art
• The module will be applied/hands-on
• We have an infrastructure to explain via the
  module schedule

2
Your tutors

• Jonathan Westlake
• Everything we will covering on the module is an
  area of research/scholarly activity for both of
  us
• The topics are commercially topical and should
  provide all of you with useful skills and
  knowledge in the workplace

3
From the web schedule

• Examine the schedule 

4
How the module will work

• 1 topic per week
• 1 tutorial hour per week
• The assignment can be incrementally
  developed/researched

5
Assignment Work

• The assessment as available on the assessment
  link for the module

6
Kit you will be using on this module

• RFID
• Smartphones
• Wireless PDAs
• VoIP technology
• See the links in this weeks tutorial sheet for
  more information about the technology

7
Lecture Topic Convergence

• Introduction
• Setting the scene
• What is convergence ?
• Why is convergence happening ?
• Types of convergence
• Physical Convergence
• Possible designs of converged devices
• Interactive TV

8
Setting the scene

• Impact of mobile computing
• Evolution
• Statistics
• Return on investment
• The need for communication
• Anecdotal evidence

9
Impact of mobile computing

• Pervasive technology
• Impact in many ways
• The way we do things as individuals and as
  businesses
• Technology driven Versus Business/need driven
• Not always clear

10
Evolution

• Examples
• PDAs
• Smartphones
• Internet enabled devices
• Used for web based applications
• Integration of devices
• Convergence of devices
• Standards and research

11
Return on investment

• Very interesting
• Implementing communications technology needs to
  be justified as an investment
• Costs versus benefits
• Intangible savings and tangible savings
• Often referred to as the value added
• Less administration
• More time for doing

12
The need for communication

• Anytime/anywhere
• Offsite and onsite employees
• Increasing productivity
• Automating workflow
• Example BT telephone engineers can access
  customer profile via GPRS laptops

13
Convergence progress

• The world of IT is changing,
• IT communication technologies are now combined
• Professionals in this field need to understand
  both aspects
• Converged technologies have high potential, but
  beware of inflated expectation cf VoIP

14
A technology lifecycle?

• Technology Trigger
• Inflated expectations
• Trough of disillusionment!
• Period of enlightenment
• Plateau of productivity

15
Types of Convergence

• Protocol convergence
• Problems and solutions for IT management
• Perhaps moving from a Multi-protocol to single
  protocol network? -
• for a list of protocols - http//www.protocols.com
  /protocols.htm
• Unified Messaging (UMS) - handling voice, fax and
  text for a mailbox for access by email or phone

16
Types of convergence

• Payload Convergence different types of data
  carried in the same communication format
• Device Convergence network switches supporting
  Ethernet packets, Internet Protocol (IP) routing
  and Asynchronous Transfer Mode (ATM)
• Applications Convergence integrated functions
• Physical Convergence - hardware

17
Personal communications device and information
system

• Videophone Closed-loop communicator
• Clock/stopwatchTime alarmDiaryNotepad
• E-mailer
• CalculatorCurrency converterLanguage translator
• Video playerTV
• Music and other media player

18
Personal communications device and information
systems

• Radio receiver Internet browser Remote
  controller (other devices)
• Personal attack alarm Personal medical alert
• Global Position System Digital camera
  Video-games player
• Clock Heart-rate and Blood Pressure monitor

19
Recent news

• Survey shows that free Wi-Fi increases sales and
  builds customer loyalty
• See Free-hotspot.com
• UK has more hotspots then any other country in
  Europe
• Norwich
• Birmingham

20
Summary

• Convergence has become a major driver for
  corporations and smaller firms looking to
• Save money
• Maximise comms technology
• Harness the demands of data exchange
• Networks are becoming increasingly sophisticated
  in order to cope with the changes in traffic