What’s with the Wireless G Revolution?
The Canadian wireless industry has been going through a series of revolutions the past 20 years as the need for more bandwidth and faster data speeds is required to keep up with the latest technology.
So what do all these Gs mean?
• 1G – The first networks implemented in the mid-1980s, were purely analog and used primarily for voice. These brick-like phones were often carried around in large bags or had to be hardwired into vehicles. Remember the Motorola DynaTAC 8000X? Or the hardwired transportable Motorola DynaTAC 8000X?. The analog nature of the network prompted the US to declare it to be illegal to eavesdrop on cellular calls after calls made by senators were leaked to the media.
• 2G – Starting in the early 1990s, this generation migrated the industry to digital devices that delivered better voice quality, more reliable service and SMS. The entry of the GSM standard also came about at that time. The text messaging revolution owes its existence to this second-generation wireless technology. Popular telephones where the Nokia 6190 series. I was able to send and receive emails using this telephone and my Palm Pilot with a data cable. Simple SMS was also available on GSM and the ability to do simple WAP pages.
• 3G – These updated networks increased speed and capacity around the year 2000. The first Blackberry 850 was a two line device that worked like a pager. However it’s only been the past 5 years that Canadian carriers discovered that smart phones took advantage of these features. It’s what we use today typically that allows faster speeds and multimedia capabilities on our Blackberry’s and iPhone devices. Sometimes I think the explosion of devices was caused by the boomers kids becoming obsessed with smart phones.
• 4G – This is the next generation of networks. This standard is currently being piloted in a few Canadian cities. It promises the type of speeds that we are used to on wired networks such as 50MB to 100MB speeds. This standard is still under development. This will drive more video applications and our use of cloud computing.
Current LTE and WiMAX implementations are considered pre-4G, as they don't fully comply with the planned requirements of 1Gbit/s for stationary reception and 100Mbit/s for mobile. Besides speed, a number of other requirements and features have been identified for wireless communication standards to qualify as 4G such as.
• Spectrally efficient
• Dynamically share and utilize the network resources to support more simultaneous users per cell
• Smooth handovers across heterogeneous networks
• Ability to offer high quality of service for next generation multimedia support
• Based on an all-IP packet switched network
All this will require more frequency spectrum availability and bandwidth. This is the primary reason why the United States and Canadian analog television channels were shifted and reorganized into digital channels to make room available in the 700 MHz band for reassignment for 4G.
However, it really means spectrum auctions and millions of revenue into the government pockets. The good thing about 700 MHz is that it penetrates buildings better allowing your conversation to not drop when you run into a Starbucks to pick up a coffee.
Tuesday, December 21, 2010
Gartner's Top 10 Technologies for 2011
I have been using my own small list of technology trends as discussion points with my customers. It seems that every CIO and Director has objectives put in place to transform their organization, but sometime the transformation has many steps and requires their infrastructure to be ready.
The common misconception is that to have Unified Communication, one must have IP Telephony in place. Yes and No. A voice mailbox appearing in Outlook doesn’t require an IP telephone set, it can be associated with a traditional digital or analog telephone set. Having an IP Softphone on a laptop only requires the PBX infrastructure to be current in its software and the WAN to support a secure VPN connection. This would then entail adding a security appliance to the solution to support the new application. However, if you want the full suite of UC applications to be available then a new PBX infrastructure is required with supporting LAN and WAN components. This is very important when video is added to the mix. Most 10/100MB LAN switches will create bottlenecks and WAN bandwidths need to accommodate the demand for High Definition streaming. The old 3Com LAN switches with a simple data T1 will provide a major constraint in achieving real time communications in the moment.
This is all a moot point as most organizations are looking at MPLS networks for their voice and data transport, larger Internet access connections, and an overhaul of their LAN infrastructure to support additional layers of switching with 1GB ports and POE connections. Replace the12 year old PBX with a new one and add a data center or two with SAN capability, and give everyone a laptop with a dual core CPU and a 500 GB hardrive. Pretty simple!!
Let’s see what the good folks at Gartner have come up with and my comments.
Gartner's Top 10 Technologies for 2011
October 20, 2010 Larry Dignan
1: Cloud computing
This group of technologies has been on the top 10 lists for a few years. Now everything as a service will alter business models and IT procurement. Gartner analyst David Cearley said what has changed is that there are multiple services. Companies will probably need cloud computing brokers. Things to watch:
• Where does the public cloud fit? IT is generally scared of the public cloud, but select workloads are fine.
• Beware cloud washing. IT execs are comfortable with the vendors cloud washing but may not get real capability.
• Limit access to specific clouds based on community and groups. That approach would minimize security risks. Gartner has exclusive clouds and community clouds as services to watch.
• Private clouds are custom and packaged.
My impression: A safe pick for sure, but the cloud is getting more granular as it matures. Think cloud washing magnified.
John’s Opinion: We are seeing a lot of this from Google and Apple and some others for the home user and the Smartphone user community but until business really starts adopting devices that will seek its apps from corporate clouds then it can’t be the number one topic. I think security within the corporate cloud attaching to the public cloud to be the biggest concern.
2: Mobile apps and media tablets
Tablets and touch aren't new. Claunch said that the selection of applications changes the game for businesses. "Apple has leveraged the ecosystem of the iPhone," Claunch said. "And Apple has created consistency." In addition, Apple's iPad is the poster child for how consumerization is affecting corporate IT. Things to think about for enterprise IT:
• Enterprise apps will need to be designed for the tablet.
• Delivering these apps gets complicated due to the selection of platforms.
• Context-aware computing can connect to customers better.
• Marketing will drive a lot of projects to utilize tablets, but these devices can be used for inspections, surveys, image capture, documentation, and training.
Cearley added, "The PC era is over. Think of mobile design points."
My impression: It's stunning how many iPads are in this crowd of 7,000-plus IT execs and managers. Another thread: Almost all of these IT execs are carrying PCs not Macs. Typically, CIOs and the like are the last to get on board an early adoption curve for a new device. There's a frenzy over tablets.
John’s Opinion: I am starting to see more and more interest from the business community in rolling out these devices as it could simplify and lower the TCO. However, the iPad isn’t really ready for business prime time. I would see next year as the pivot point for iPad 2.0 and a real look at what the RIM playbook will truly be. However, Cisco and Avaya have their versions of tablets and although they appear very much application limited it is the one device that’s truly embedded into the corporate telecom infrastructure. We are all getting tired carrying a 10 lb laptop, power supply, mouse, cables etc. and a simple tablet would shed many pounds. However, I still need access to corporate applications and should be able to print and use Microsoft Office very easily. This could be a struggle if Apple or RIM or Android doesn’t allow others into their ecosystem. It’s a safe bet the TCO for a tablet would be lower than a laptop. Of course, the fixed desktop users get to keep their P2 machine for ever and ever as their use seems specific to a user profile community unaffected by the tablet/Smartphone hype.
3: Next-gen analytics
Companies need to develop "operational analytics" to make predictions and use data mashups. "There's value in very current information. We are now shifting our focus to start doing simulations and modeling to predict the future," Claunch said. These simulations would ultimately be run on Smartphone’s and other devices. Algorithms will really matter to companies to support the right type of prediction.
Gartner didn't advocate doing a lot of analytics investment yet, but be ready to invest.
My impression: Analytics is largely untapped ground for many companies. Claunch's key point: "This is just being enabled now." Another key item: A show of hands revealed that the entire room had business intelligence software. A show of hands also indicated that no one thought those applications were delivering real value.
John’s Opinion: Now is the time to add these applications to your business decision making toolkit. This is how you put buying trends, customer profiles, consumer behavior, sales segmentation and other reports to assist in generating more revenue. If you don’t know your customer or can use the data for forecasting then you will be out of business very very soon. Quickly – What do your customers located in Alberta buy the most of??? When do you sell the most of the 735 widget?
4: Social analytics
This concept revolves around taking social networking data and incorporating it into enterprise analysis. Sentiment, context, and influence are key areas for companies. "We're starting to see the tipping point," Cearley said. "It's moving from bleeding edge to mainstream activity." For now, look at communities you have to support and analyze an entry.
My impression: CIOs should be watching this stuff, but given the crowd response to business intelligence, I'm not seeing much progress on the analytics-social intersection.
John’s Opinion: This is still new and those selling through Facebook have a good handle on it but if you have no BI tools in place today then you can’t break it down and add social tabs to the spreadsheet. I would hope that if you get a good chunk of business though Groupon you are tracking it.
5: Social communication and collaboration
Social collaboration is "inevitable," Cearley said. "Over the next few years, it will be impossible to ignore this," he added. By now, companies should have policies, high value social uses identified, and have experiments to link social with CRM systems. Meanwhile, unified communications will merge with social. Expertise location will probably be the best use case.
My impression: Gartner makes a good point, but I'd be willing to bet that enterprises are way behind the curve on social communication and what it means for collaboration and productivity.
John’s Opinion: Agreed, today’s marketing departments talk a good story but are way behind what I would consider effective and integrated strategies for social networking. However, the Unified Communication space is showing interest and I think Avaya right now is in the lead with a credible storyline. I wouldn’t rule out Cisco but they are up to something but maybe haven’t been exactly clear on where they fit. The new guys definitely get it – Look at Kobo, Skype and Amazon. It’s coming but we just need it tied into business a lot better. It looks like Microsoft’s new Lync platform might be the enabler we all need in business or Cisco’s Quad platform.
6: Video
Corporate use of video is becoming mainstream. Low-cost video recorders are everywhere. Companies will need video content management systems and better design skills, and they'll need to address privacy issues and policy concerns. Will all conference rooms be recorded by default? E-learning, merchandising, marketing, webinars, and Telepresence will all be key video uses. The tipping point will come in 2011 to 2013. In addition, video will be needed to reach younger employees.
My impression: Video has hit mainstream, but networks haven't. Will Vlogs really be the best use of employee time? One other key point: How will business intelligence systems digest video content?
John’s Opinion: Once you get off the ISDN BRI lines and onto a real MPLS network do things happen very easily. I disagree, video has been on an uptrend and being used more and more as the picture quality is much improved, LCD screens are cheap, networks are faster and better and the UC manufacturers are on the ball right now. Cisco has added Tandberg and Avaya have a new product launch and its all video aware intelligence to the endpoints and true call and watch functionality. Microsoft has beefed up their offering with the new Lync servers. I doubt the other UC providers have the bench strength for a seamless user experience like these big three.
7: Context-aware computing
The idea here is that social analytics and computing leads to knowledge about preferences. User interfaces would change based on context. Today, it's all reactive. By 2011 to 2013, there will be more proactive alerts. By 2014 to 2018, you'll have context integrated with enterprise systems. Ultimately, there will be a context platform. Portals, mashups, mobile, and social will combine. Vendors will offer "user experience platforms."
My impression: I have a hard time seeing strapped enterprises going all contextual. Look for business units such as marketing to launch these projects to drive sales. Companies will need to deliver context-aware services to businesses. Can't wait for all of those user experience platform pitches.
John’s Opinion: This is all heady stuff and its coming but I expect the new start ups to really make headway in this regard and be swallowed up by the larger players. I can get a coupon from Starbucks on my smart device while in store using their free wifi connection, but that’s simple as they have me log onto the connection. If Amazon suggests a book while I am in the Kindle store it is pretty easy as well. I doubt anyone can succeed in this without a Business Intelligence platform with recent user data. If you really want to offer me a Pizza coupon from another Pizza shop Friday nights then they need to know who I order the pizza from, what I order, do I have it delivered? And what time I order and my preferred communication method. Google can do this if I do it all through the Google Pizza Portal but without it the back end computers need to really crunch numbers. It would be easier to just send me a flyer at my doorstep…no?
8: Ubiquitous computing
This topic has been discussed in previous years on Gartner's lists. In a nutshell, computers melt into objects. There will be machine-to-machine connections, portable personalities, and connectivity changes across multiple devices. There will be thousands of computers for each person on the planet, and you'll have multiple devices.
My impression: Ubiquitous computing is more a guiding principle for projects than something you think about in terms of budget. The timeline here is decades. What's also notable: Everyone has punted on getting one device to consolidate them all. We're doomed to carry a bunch of devices.
John’s Opinion: Yeah that’s a good one. I still need a Kindle to read books, an iPad to read PDF magazines and check emails, a Blackberry for work and BBM, a flashlight, a Western Digital 2 TB pocket drive, and a thumbnail mp3 player, a Kodak Zi HD video camera and my trusty Nikon D300 digital SLR. Hey it’s just me but add a Sony Shortwave portable radio to the list as well. What we should push for is Ubiquitous batteries.
9: Storage class memory
When Flash meets RAM, there are differences in speed and costs. Persistent storage will also alter management. Claunch said that storage class memory goes beyond solid state drives. This new class of storage will lead to software where operating systems determine where data goes. Storage class memory will become more important over the next two to three years.
My impression: It's a bit experimental, but storage class memory will ride shotgun with analytics. Companies will have to define what data goes into fast memory.
John’s Opinion: I don’t understand anything of the above but I can show you the bills for 16MB Compact Flash cards from 10 years ago that cost hundreds of dollars. For every memory device I have purchased the storage size was double at half the price a few weeks after I bought it. Maybe I better take notice as my LG Blueray player requires a persistent memory device for storage of Live content. I use a Cisco 4GB USB stick for that.
10: Fabric based infrastructure and computers
Every vendor will talk fabric computing, so get ready for fabric-washing. The overall idea here is that you'll have infrastructure that manages resources in an integrated fashion. Cisco UCS and HP Matrix are examples. New ways of building servers will mean you buy pools of processors and memory instead of physically swapping boxes.
My impression: Forming your own flexible servers sounds appealing. The fabric thing sounds way futuristic for now, but the seeds are being planted.
John’s Opinion: Its here and a factor in the virtualization game and Cisco is positioned for it in their Human Powered network philosophy. This should be on every IT road map as it will be the way to manage storage and computing resources. Probably a key infrastructure requirement for the new applications and services coming our way and supports all of the above technologies in a way. IBM is the seasoned expert and a nice tie into their blade servers and data center centric methodology.
My top picks still are wireless and mobile devices creeping into the business community, more and more adoption of Unified Communication applications to drive productivity and sales revenues (now with video) and more Web 2.0/3.0 applications becoming prevalent and changing our behavior.
John Leonardelli
Senior UC Consultant
This article reprinted courtesy of TechRepublic.
The common misconception is that to have Unified Communication, one must have IP Telephony in place. Yes and No. A voice mailbox appearing in Outlook doesn’t require an IP telephone set, it can be associated with a traditional digital or analog telephone set. Having an IP Softphone on a laptop only requires the PBX infrastructure to be current in its software and the WAN to support a secure VPN connection. This would then entail adding a security appliance to the solution to support the new application. However, if you want the full suite of UC applications to be available then a new PBX infrastructure is required with supporting LAN and WAN components. This is very important when video is added to the mix. Most 10/100MB LAN switches will create bottlenecks and WAN bandwidths need to accommodate the demand for High Definition streaming. The old 3Com LAN switches with a simple data T1 will provide a major constraint in achieving real time communications in the moment.
This is all a moot point as most organizations are looking at MPLS networks for their voice and data transport, larger Internet access connections, and an overhaul of their LAN infrastructure to support additional layers of switching with 1GB ports and POE connections. Replace the12 year old PBX with a new one and add a data center or two with SAN capability, and give everyone a laptop with a dual core CPU and a 500 GB hardrive. Pretty simple!!
Let’s see what the good folks at Gartner have come up with and my comments.
Gartner's Top 10 Technologies for 2011
October 20, 2010 Larry Dignan
1: Cloud computing
This group of technologies has been on the top 10 lists for a few years. Now everything as a service will alter business models and IT procurement. Gartner analyst David Cearley said what has changed is that there are multiple services. Companies will probably need cloud computing brokers. Things to watch:
• Where does the public cloud fit? IT is generally scared of the public cloud, but select workloads are fine.
• Beware cloud washing. IT execs are comfortable with the vendors cloud washing but may not get real capability.
• Limit access to specific clouds based on community and groups. That approach would minimize security risks. Gartner has exclusive clouds and community clouds as services to watch.
• Private clouds are custom and packaged.
My impression: A safe pick for sure, but the cloud is getting more granular as it matures. Think cloud washing magnified.
John’s Opinion: We are seeing a lot of this from Google and Apple and some others for the home user and the Smartphone user community but until business really starts adopting devices that will seek its apps from corporate clouds then it can’t be the number one topic. I think security within the corporate cloud attaching to the public cloud to be the biggest concern.
2: Mobile apps and media tablets
Tablets and touch aren't new. Claunch said that the selection of applications changes the game for businesses. "Apple has leveraged the ecosystem of the iPhone," Claunch said. "And Apple has created consistency." In addition, Apple's iPad is the poster child for how consumerization is affecting corporate IT. Things to think about for enterprise IT:
• Enterprise apps will need to be designed for the tablet.
• Delivering these apps gets complicated due to the selection of platforms.
• Context-aware computing can connect to customers better.
• Marketing will drive a lot of projects to utilize tablets, but these devices can be used for inspections, surveys, image capture, documentation, and training.
Cearley added, "The PC era is over. Think of mobile design points."
My impression: It's stunning how many iPads are in this crowd of 7,000-plus IT execs and managers. Another thread: Almost all of these IT execs are carrying PCs not Macs. Typically, CIOs and the like are the last to get on board an early adoption curve for a new device. There's a frenzy over tablets.
John’s Opinion: I am starting to see more and more interest from the business community in rolling out these devices as it could simplify and lower the TCO. However, the iPad isn’t really ready for business prime time. I would see next year as the pivot point for iPad 2.0 and a real look at what the RIM playbook will truly be. However, Cisco and Avaya have their versions of tablets and although they appear very much application limited it is the one device that’s truly embedded into the corporate telecom infrastructure. We are all getting tired carrying a 10 lb laptop, power supply, mouse, cables etc. and a simple tablet would shed many pounds. However, I still need access to corporate applications and should be able to print and use Microsoft Office very easily. This could be a struggle if Apple or RIM or Android doesn’t allow others into their ecosystem. It’s a safe bet the TCO for a tablet would be lower than a laptop. Of course, the fixed desktop users get to keep their P2 machine for ever and ever as their use seems specific to a user profile community unaffected by the tablet/Smartphone hype.
3: Next-gen analytics
Companies need to develop "operational analytics" to make predictions and use data mashups. "There's value in very current information. We are now shifting our focus to start doing simulations and modeling to predict the future," Claunch said. These simulations would ultimately be run on Smartphone’s and other devices. Algorithms will really matter to companies to support the right type of prediction.
Gartner didn't advocate doing a lot of analytics investment yet, but be ready to invest.
My impression: Analytics is largely untapped ground for many companies. Claunch's key point: "This is just being enabled now." Another key item: A show of hands revealed that the entire room had business intelligence software. A show of hands also indicated that no one thought those applications were delivering real value.
John’s Opinion: Now is the time to add these applications to your business decision making toolkit. This is how you put buying trends, customer profiles, consumer behavior, sales segmentation and other reports to assist in generating more revenue. If you don’t know your customer or can use the data for forecasting then you will be out of business very very soon. Quickly – What do your customers located in Alberta buy the most of??? When do you sell the most of the 735 widget?
4: Social analytics
This concept revolves around taking social networking data and incorporating it into enterprise analysis. Sentiment, context, and influence are key areas for companies. "We're starting to see the tipping point," Cearley said. "It's moving from bleeding edge to mainstream activity." For now, look at communities you have to support and analyze an entry.
My impression: CIOs should be watching this stuff, but given the crowd response to business intelligence, I'm not seeing much progress on the analytics-social intersection.
John’s Opinion: This is still new and those selling through Facebook have a good handle on it but if you have no BI tools in place today then you can’t break it down and add social tabs to the spreadsheet. I would hope that if you get a good chunk of business though Groupon you are tracking it.
5: Social communication and collaboration
Social collaboration is "inevitable," Cearley said. "Over the next few years, it will be impossible to ignore this," he added. By now, companies should have policies, high value social uses identified, and have experiments to link social with CRM systems. Meanwhile, unified communications will merge with social. Expertise location will probably be the best use case.
My impression: Gartner makes a good point, but I'd be willing to bet that enterprises are way behind the curve on social communication and what it means for collaboration and productivity.
John’s Opinion: Agreed, today’s marketing departments talk a good story but are way behind what I would consider effective and integrated strategies for social networking. However, the Unified Communication space is showing interest and I think Avaya right now is in the lead with a credible storyline. I wouldn’t rule out Cisco but they are up to something but maybe haven’t been exactly clear on where they fit. The new guys definitely get it – Look at Kobo, Skype and Amazon. It’s coming but we just need it tied into business a lot better. It looks like Microsoft’s new Lync platform might be the enabler we all need in business or Cisco’s Quad platform.
6: Video
Corporate use of video is becoming mainstream. Low-cost video recorders are everywhere. Companies will need video content management systems and better design skills, and they'll need to address privacy issues and policy concerns. Will all conference rooms be recorded by default? E-learning, merchandising, marketing, webinars, and Telepresence will all be key video uses. The tipping point will come in 2011 to 2013. In addition, video will be needed to reach younger employees.
My impression: Video has hit mainstream, but networks haven't. Will Vlogs really be the best use of employee time? One other key point: How will business intelligence systems digest video content?
John’s Opinion: Once you get off the ISDN BRI lines and onto a real MPLS network do things happen very easily. I disagree, video has been on an uptrend and being used more and more as the picture quality is much improved, LCD screens are cheap, networks are faster and better and the UC manufacturers are on the ball right now. Cisco has added Tandberg and Avaya have a new product launch and its all video aware intelligence to the endpoints and true call and watch functionality. Microsoft has beefed up their offering with the new Lync servers. I doubt the other UC providers have the bench strength for a seamless user experience like these big three.
7: Context-aware computing
The idea here is that social analytics and computing leads to knowledge about preferences. User interfaces would change based on context. Today, it's all reactive. By 2011 to 2013, there will be more proactive alerts. By 2014 to 2018, you'll have context integrated with enterprise systems. Ultimately, there will be a context platform. Portals, mashups, mobile, and social will combine. Vendors will offer "user experience platforms."
My impression: I have a hard time seeing strapped enterprises going all contextual. Look for business units such as marketing to launch these projects to drive sales. Companies will need to deliver context-aware services to businesses. Can't wait for all of those user experience platform pitches.
John’s Opinion: This is all heady stuff and its coming but I expect the new start ups to really make headway in this regard and be swallowed up by the larger players. I can get a coupon from Starbucks on my smart device while in store using their free wifi connection, but that’s simple as they have me log onto the connection. If Amazon suggests a book while I am in the Kindle store it is pretty easy as well. I doubt anyone can succeed in this without a Business Intelligence platform with recent user data. If you really want to offer me a Pizza coupon from another Pizza shop Friday nights then they need to know who I order the pizza from, what I order, do I have it delivered? And what time I order and my preferred communication method. Google can do this if I do it all through the Google Pizza Portal but without it the back end computers need to really crunch numbers. It would be easier to just send me a flyer at my doorstep…no?
8: Ubiquitous computing
This topic has been discussed in previous years on Gartner's lists. In a nutshell, computers melt into objects. There will be machine-to-machine connections, portable personalities, and connectivity changes across multiple devices. There will be thousands of computers for each person on the planet, and you'll have multiple devices.
My impression: Ubiquitous computing is more a guiding principle for projects than something you think about in terms of budget. The timeline here is decades. What's also notable: Everyone has punted on getting one device to consolidate them all. We're doomed to carry a bunch of devices.
John’s Opinion: Yeah that’s a good one. I still need a Kindle to read books, an iPad to read PDF magazines and check emails, a Blackberry for work and BBM, a flashlight, a Western Digital 2 TB pocket drive, and a thumbnail mp3 player, a Kodak Zi HD video camera and my trusty Nikon D300 digital SLR. Hey it’s just me but add a Sony Shortwave portable radio to the list as well. What we should push for is Ubiquitous batteries.
9: Storage class memory
When Flash meets RAM, there are differences in speed and costs. Persistent storage will also alter management. Claunch said that storage class memory goes beyond solid state drives. This new class of storage will lead to software where operating systems determine where data goes. Storage class memory will become more important over the next two to three years.
My impression: It's a bit experimental, but storage class memory will ride shotgun with analytics. Companies will have to define what data goes into fast memory.
John’s Opinion: I don’t understand anything of the above but I can show you the bills for 16MB Compact Flash cards from 10 years ago that cost hundreds of dollars. For every memory device I have purchased the storage size was double at half the price a few weeks after I bought it. Maybe I better take notice as my LG Blueray player requires a persistent memory device for storage of Live content. I use a Cisco 4GB USB stick for that.
10: Fabric based infrastructure and computers
Every vendor will talk fabric computing, so get ready for fabric-washing. The overall idea here is that you'll have infrastructure that manages resources in an integrated fashion. Cisco UCS and HP Matrix are examples. New ways of building servers will mean you buy pools of processors and memory instead of physically swapping boxes.
My impression: Forming your own flexible servers sounds appealing. The fabric thing sounds way futuristic for now, but the seeds are being planted.
John’s Opinion: Its here and a factor in the virtualization game and Cisco is positioned for it in their Human Powered network philosophy. This should be on every IT road map as it will be the way to manage storage and computing resources. Probably a key infrastructure requirement for the new applications and services coming our way and supports all of the above technologies in a way. IBM is the seasoned expert and a nice tie into their blade servers and data center centric methodology.
My top picks still are wireless and mobile devices creeping into the business community, more and more adoption of Unified Communication applications to drive productivity and sales revenues (now with video) and more Web 2.0/3.0 applications becoming prevalent and changing our behavior.
John Leonardelli
Senior UC Consultant
This article reprinted courtesy of TechRepublic.
Tuesday, November 9, 2010
We need more Free Wireless Access Points
We need more Free Wireless Access Points
Obviously with the proliferation of smart phones, iPhones, iPads , Kindles, Kobo and android tablets…the users need places to use their new found devices.
Kudos to Starbucks understanding that if they offer free wifi in their 770 coffee shops then users will flock there for coffee and free access. But where are all the others following suit? Want to drive traffic to the bricks then offer the wireless nomad a place to connect and they may spend money at your store while surfing away.
Thankfully, Vex Corp. is hoping to light up over 5000 locations and this is a good thing for the consumer as they want it free and wont pay for it anymore.
Vex will be the integrator and use Cisco wireless access points and use an advertising model where the web access would have to see some advertising. This isn’t a big deal anymore as every website has some sort of advertising on it but if Vex plays their cards right it won’t be an annoyance but of value. Sitting ion a subway checking on emails on the iPad and getting a click ad for a $1 off the next visit would be useful. Now if we can just print the darn thing easily then all will be good.
Let’s hope Vex gets the market share it deserves and other retailers catch on to the free wifi bandwagon.
Obviously with the proliferation of smart phones, iPhones, iPads , Kindles, Kobo and android tablets…the users need places to use their new found devices.
Kudos to Starbucks understanding that if they offer free wifi in their 770 coffee shops then users will flock there for coffee and free access. But where are all the others following suit? Want to drive traffic to the bricks then offer the wireless nomad a place to connect and they may spend money at your store while surfing away.
Thankfully, Vex Corp. is hoping to light up over 5000 locations and this is a good thing for the consumer as they want it free and wont pay for it anymore.
Vex will be the integrator and use Cisco wireless access points and use an advertising model where the web access would have to see some advertising. This isn’t a big deal anymore as every website has some sort of advertising on it but if Vex plays their cards right it won’t be an annoyance but of value. Sitting ion a subway checking on emails on the iPad and getting a click ad for a $1 off the next visit would be useful. Now if we can just print the darn thing easily then all will be good.
Let’s hope Vex gets the market share it deserves and other retailers catch on to the free wifi bandwagon.
Tuesday, September 21, 2010
The Web Is Dead. Long Live the Internet
The Web Is Dead. Long Live the Internet
• By Chris Anderson and Michael Wolff
• Wired September 2010
I found Chris’s viewpoint to be very interesting and has sparked a lot of debate during lunch and coffee breaks
Chris wrote as follows:
“ You wake up and check your email on your bedside iPad — that’s one app. During breakfast you browse Facebook, Twitter, and The New York Times — three more apps. On the way to the office, you listen to a podcast on your Smartphone. Another app. At work, you scroll through RSS feeds in a reader and have Skype and IM conversations. More apps. At the end of the day, you come home, make dinner while listening to Pandora, play some games on Xbox Live, and watch a movie on Netflix’s streaming service.
You’ve spent the day on the Internet — but not on the Web. And you are not alone. “
Well it does seem with the proliferation of smartphones and better hand held devices the APP has definitely changed the way we communicate and surf the web
I use the apps everyday and it simplifies my life and you don't realize that you have not used your laptop until you either need to print something or there is a special program that resides on your laptop.
Apple has made great strides in the APP category, followed by Google Android. RIM is being left behind but they are working feverishly to create more APPs especially if the touted BlackPad is to come out.
The Internet has always been the connectivity network and not the content or the applications. Hence, the Web is the application and content network. With the Internet extended by fiber, wires, copper landlines, or wireless the access to instant on anytime, anywhere, anytime has now become the term to define how we use the APPS on our devices.
Now with the promise of clouding computing starting to work its way into our daily experience, things will change even more so the next few years.
• By Chris Anderson and Michael Wolff
• Wired September 2010
I found Chris’s viewpoint to be very interesting and has sparked a lot of debate during lunch and coffee breaks
Chris wrote as follows:
“ You wake up and check your email on your bedside iPad — that’s one app. During breakfast you browse Facebook, Twitter, and The New York Times — three more apps. On the way to the office, you listen to a podcast on your Smartphone. Another app. At work, you scroll through RSS feeds in a reader and have Skype and IM conversations. More apps. At the end of the day, you come home, make dinner while listening to Pandora, play some games on Xbox Live, and watch a movie on Netflix’s streaming service.
You’ve spent the day on the Internet — but not on the Web. And you are not alone. “
Well it does seem with the proliferation of smartphones and better hand held devices the APP has definitely changed the way we communicate and surf the web
I use the apps everyday and it simplifies my life and you don't realize that you have not used your laptop until you either need to print something or there is a special program that resides on your laptop.
Apple has made great strides in the APP category, followed by Google Android. RIM is being left behind but they are working feverishly to create more APPs especially if the touted BlackPad is to come out.
The Internet has always been the connectivity network and not the content or the applications. Hence, the Web is the application and content network. With the Internet extended by fiber, wires, copper landlines, or wireless the access to instant on anytime, anywhere, anytime has now become the term to define how we use the APPS on our devices.
Now with the promise of clouding computing starting to work its way into our daily experience, things will change even more so the next few years.
Thursday, July 15, 2010
Avaya one-x Portal Unified Communications Tool
For enterprise customers and SMB customers, Avaya offers some Unified Communication tools that can enhance their employee’s ability to communicate effectively.
One such solution is the one-X portal. IT managers have been asking for years for a lightweight very thin client PC solutions that don’t create management headaches and is VPN and firewall friendly. This solution is a browser based interface to Avaya telephony, messaging, mobility, conferencing, and presence services provided by Avaya Aura™ Communication Manager, Avaya Modular Messaging, Avaya Meeting Exchange, and Avaya Aura™ Presence Services.
Avaya one-X Portal does not require the installation of any application software on your desktop to deliver its basic functionality.
Users can use any internet connection to be able to communicate virtually anywhere – make calls, receive calls, check voice mail and place conference calls. You can even control your extension for extension to cellular and follow me applications.
The application that provides the greatest benefit is the ability to use “presence” functionality to see co-workers presence and be able to determine the ability to reach them via voice or instant messaging.
All this integration is connected back to the Communication Manager Server or IP Office platform providing benefits for large or small customers.
It’s Simple to install and simple to use and powerful in its ability to allow the user to effectively communicate from virtually anywhere.
One such solution is the one-X portal. IT managers have been asking for years for a lightweight very thin client PC solutions that don’t create management headaches and is VPN and firewall friendly. This solution is a browser based interface to Avaya telephony, messaging, mobility, conferencing, and presence services provided by Avaya Aura™ Communication Manager, Avaya Modular Messaging, Avaya Meeting Exchange, and Avaya Aura™ Presence Services.
Avaya one-X Portal does not require the installation of any application software on your desktop to deliver its basic functionality.
Users can use any internet connection to be able to communicate virtually anywhere – make calls, receive calls, check voice mail and place conference calls. You can even control your extension for extension to cellular and follow me applications.
The application that provides the greatest benefit is the ability to use “presence” functionality to see co-workers presence and be able to determine the ability to reach them via voice or instant messaging.
All this integration is connected back to the Communication Manager Server or IP Office platform providing benefits for large or small customers.
It’s Simple to install and simple to use and powerful in its ability to allow the user to effectively communicate from virtually anywhere.
Tuesday, June 22, 2010
Sales Strategy Execution - Delivering Strategic Presentations
Salespeople typically have trouble selling to strategic issues and instead focus their presentations on the tactical pains that your solution solves or the solution features. You are being outsold by competitors with inferior solutions by not selling at the executive level.
Once salespeople understand the process of selling up the chain of value, they need the skills to craft an effective presentation that links your solution to those needs in a format that is relevant to an executive audience and hits home to everyone on the evaluation team.
Salespeople who can effectively articulate the benefit statements based on the personalities and roles of individuals on the evaluation committee are more likely to win. This requires the presentations to be structured.
Here are some simple steps to be able to do that effectively:
Presentation Strategy
(1) What are you selling?
(2) To whom are you selling it?
(3) Against what are you competing?
(4) In what environment do you expect the message to be received?
What are you selling? Why are you making the presentation? Take another look at the objective. Are you selling a plan of action, a need for action, a product, a service, or support for an idea?
To whom are you selling it? If you know your audience, you have some idea of its position on the subject.
Against what are you competing? Know your competition.
Presentation Organization
The introduction and conclusion cannot be neglected. At the outset, the presentation should gain the interest of the audience and convey to the listeners what is to be covered.
The body of the presentation, located between the introduction and the conclusion, contains the bulk of the message. It should be presented to the listener in a meaningful form.
In the conclusion, the presenter should review the key points of the presentation and pinpoint the action to be taken, if any.
Presentation Delivery
At the outset, the presenter must establish a rapport with the audience. Early in the presentation, the presenter will be judged, favorable or unfavorably, by the audience. After the audience decides whether it likes the presenter, it will determine whether it can give credence to what the presenter has to say.
Final Thoughts
In the new world of multi-media and web enablement there are new ways opf delivering presentations. In place of a live presentation in a boardroom can it be delivered via a video conferencing, Webex, Microsoft Live Meeting?
Finally, let's run down the list of things that you, as a presenter, should remember when you face the audience:
• Speak up. Make yourself heard.
• Keep your back to the wall.
• Avoid any mention of time during the opening comments.
• Maintain "eye-to-eye" contact.
• Stand erect and control your nervous habits.
• Relax and smile.
• Use stories to make your points.
• Reaffirm your points at the end of the presentation.
Now, you should be ready to prepare and make an effective presentation. Best wishes for success in the next one.
Once salespeople understand the process of selling up the chain of value, they need the skills to craft an effective presentation that links your solution to those needs in a format that is relevant to an executive audience and hits home to everyone on the evaluation team.
Salespeople who can effectively articulate the benefit statements based on the personalities and roles of individuals on the evaluation committee are more likely to win. This requires the presentations to be structured.
Here are some simple steps to be able to do that effectively:
Presentation Strategy
(1) What are you selling?
(2) To whom are you selling it?
(3) Against what are you competing?
(4) In what environment do you expect the message to be received?
What are you selling? Why are you making the presentation? Take another look at the objective. Are you selling a plan of action, a need for action, a product, a service, or support for an idea?
To whom are you selling it? If you know your audience, you have some idea of its position on the subject.
Against what are you competing? Know your competition.
Presentation Organization
The introduction and conclusion cannot be neglected. At the outset, the presentation should gain the interest of the audience and convey to the listeners what is to be covered.
The body of the presentation, located between the introduction and the conclusion, contains the bulk of the message. It should be presented to the listener in a meaningful form.
In the conclusion, the presenter should review the key points of the presentation and pinpoint the action to be taken, if any.
Presentation Delivery
At the outset, the presenter must establish a rapport with the audience. Early in the presentation, the presenter will be judged, favorable or unfavorably, by the audience. After the audience decides whether it likes the presenter, it will determine whether it can give credence to what the presenter has to say.
Final Thoughts
In the new world of multi-media and web enablement there are new ways opf delivering presentations. In place of a live presentation in a boardroom can it be delivered via a video conferencing, Webex, Microsoft Live Meeting?
Finally, let's run down the list of things that you, as a presenter, should remember when you face the audience:
• Speak up. Make yourself heard.
• Keep your back to the wall.
• Avoid any mention of time during the opening comments.
• Maintain "eye-to-eye" contact.
• Stand erect and control your nervous habits.
• Relax and smile.
• Use stories to make your points.
• Reaffirm your points at the end of the presentation.
Now, you should be ready to prepare and make an effective presentation. Best wishes for success in the next one.
Friday, June 18, 2010
Strategic Technology – Unified Communications – The Importance of Presence
Strategic Technology – Unified Communications – The Importance of Presence
Unified Communications increases the speed of interaction between co-workers and customers by bringing together voice, messaging and video. It’s only been the last few years that organizations have started to see the real benefits and the promises it delivers.
Unified Communications brings together fixed and mobile telephony, email, fax, instant messaging and conferencing into a single unified workspace.
All vendors offer a version of Unified Communications in their platforms today and there have been many improvements over the past few years. Some systems wil inter-operate with older TDM systems and newer IP based systems. Regardless of what technology you have there is an application available for it.
It’s transparent and integrated and its technology is stable and mature. One problem it doesn’t solve is getting the right message to the right person at the right time so that they can respond immediately. That’s where the key feature of Unified Communication, “presence” comes into play.
Presence lets users know who is reachable, where and by what method. Users can see who on their buddy list is online, available, busy, in a meeting, or reachable only by cellphone while travelling.
So now we can communicate in an intelligent manner and in the moment.
The biggest benefit of presence is the ability to Instant Message a colleague, and has a quick chat session that can escalate to a telephone call if required. These messages allow teams and groups of people to eliminate telephone tag and voice mail and are able to communicate in real time and in an effective manner.
The collaboration of voice, video and messaging can be managed effectively by the use of the presence feature. The faster organizations can implement these tools the faster they can communicate more effectively and increase their employee productivity and propel their business forward.
www.john-voipguru.blogspot.com
Unified Communications increases the speed of interaction between co-workers and customers by bringing together voice, messaging and video. It’s only been the last few years that organizations have started to see the real benefits and the promises it delivers.
Unified Communications brings together fixed and mobile telephony, email, fax, instant messaging and conferencing into a single unified workspace.
All vendors offer a version of Unified Communications in their platforms today and there have been many improvements over the past few years. Some systems wil inter-operate with older TDM systems and newer IP based systems. Regardless of what technology you have there is an application available for it.
It’s transparent and integrated and its technology is stable and mature. One problem it doesn’t solve is getting the right message to the right person at the right time so that they can respond immediately. That’s where the key feature of Unified Communication, “presence” comes into play.
Presence lets users know who is reachable, where and by what method. Users can see who on their buddy list is online, available, busy, in a meeting, or reachable only by cellphone while travelling.
So now we can communicate in an intelligent manner and in the moment.
The biggest benefit of presence is the ability to Instant Message a colleague, and has a quick chat session that can escalate to a telephone call if required. These messages allow teams and groups of people to eliminate telephone tag and voice mail and are able to communicate in real time and in an effective manner.
The collaboration of voice, video and messaging can be managed effectively by the use of the presence feature. The faster organizations can implement these tools the faster they can communicate more effectively and increase their employee productivity and propel their business forward.
www.john-voipguru.blogspot.com
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