Pervasive computing: business opportunity and challenges

Abstract

Summary form only given. Pervasive computing, according to Ovum consulting firm is a vision of the future of digital information and computation, in which, digital content, applications and services are made available in an integrated personalized way to users, via a diverse range of devices and access network. It is also a marriage between telecommunication and computing. Device manufacturers, content providers, network operators, service providers, and infrastructure providers need to collaborate their efforts to transform pervasive computing from knowledge into technology innovation. To businesses, pervasive computing offers mobile computing to business travelers, which increase employees' productivity, and additional marketing channel to reach potential customers. To consumers, pervasive computing offers mobile banking, from balance inquiry to fund transfer, directory assistance and maps, instant information exchange, news update, smart appliances, and much more. Through pervasive computing, businesses can personalize their customer service and marketing. However, there are significant challenges that companies have to overcome before they can realize the benefits of pervasive computing. The companies have to deal with translation from multiple wireless markup languages, integration of wireless network into existing wired network, limited bandwidth availability and data speed, data security, and customer acceptance from high-resolution image to LCD screen. Pervasive computing will be here, and when it is here, it will change the way we do our business.