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Talking Points (Q2, 2004)  Welcome to Talking Points. In Talking Points we address topical developments which can potentially be exploited to to help our clients make their business more competitive. In this issue, we look at the use of Wireless connectivity, what is it, and how is it of value to the business; We also look at what is happening with the introduction of Radio Frequency ID tags in Australia, and finally, we are pleased to introduce Walter Creed who has recently joined our team. Wireless NetworkingThis week I read that Intel are telling us that the 90's was the decade of the Internet, and that now we are in the decade of Wireless. Certainly it seems that every where I go these days, those wireless Hotspot signs are appearing. Indeed, Melbourne once again shows its appetite for conducting business in coffee shops - when I checked earlier this week, there were 134 Hotspots in the Melbourne 3000 postcode alone, and for those who like to be seen there were another 61 in trendy South YarraSee the Hotspot list box on the right to check what is available in your area. So what does this mean for business. Two immediate thoughts that struck me were: what is the cost of being online; and are there security considerations to be taken into account? Then moving beyond these areas, what are the implications for the future.
When combined with the ever increasing use of mobile phones, the rollout of 3G services the proliferation of smart phones, and the rapidly evolving Voice over IP telephony services, our reliance on the traditional copper wire network will decrease dramatically. This will see an increase in competition which in turn will give us ever more flexibility and more competitive services - bring it on ! Introduction of RFID tags in AustraliaThere has been much press in recent times about the use of Radio Frequency ID tags (RFID) to track items through the supply chain in recent times. We have read the reports of Walmart requiring its top 100 suppliers to have systems in place to allow for the tracking of pallets and cases using RFID by January 2005, and indeed initial trials are already underway.However all is not smooth sailing - In both Europe and North America, there has been a deal of controversy over privacy issues associated with the use of RFID, particularly focused on item level tracking. At this level, it is a relatively simple matter to identify purchases of particular items with an individual, particularly if the purchase is made using a credit or debit card. In Australia, while there is a good deal of interest from the major retailers and manufacturers, there are still a number of hurdles to be overcome before we see any significant introduction of RFID technology. One such hurdle relates to the allocation of radio spectrum to allow the use of RFID. While the majority of equipment today comes from the United States, this equipment transmits at 915MHz, which is part of the frequency band allocated to the GSM Mobile phone network in Australia. Pleasingly however, industry is not sitting on its hands while these issues are sorted out. Work is currently underway in Australia to develop an RFID/EPC consumer code of practice. This code is due to be released in late 2004. See the RFID Consumer Code of Practice Web Site, for more information. While there are a number of trials running around the world which are using RFID tags on individual items, to date the focus here in Australia, as is the case internationally, is primarily on the tracking of pallets and cases. It is expected that it will still be a number of years before the cost of tags drop sufficiently to permit the individual tracking of items. New Team Member - Walter CreedWe are pleased to welcome Walter Creed as principal consultant to Taking Aim. Walter is an experienced and professional IT, management and strategy consultant with breadth and depth in the development, management and delivery of innovative and valuable solutions to organisations' business problems. In attacking the problems, he has applied the disciplines of process simplification and improvement through the "lenses" of data and process.He has significant experience and understanding of a number of industries in Australia, New Zealand, Europe and Asia - bringing new perspectives and insights to senior business management and also to senior managers in technology roles. Walter joins us from DMR Consulting in Melbourne, where he was Consulting Director, for their Victorian Financial Services Practice. Manage Your Subscription You have been included on this mailing list because you have subscribed to the list, or have agreed to receive email from Taking Aim. We do however respect your right to privacy. If you would prefer not to receive similar emails to this in the future, please click on the following link. Unsubscribe New to our list? If you are not currently subscribed to our mailing list and wish to subscribe, then please click on the following link. Sign Me Up |
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Taking Aim Pty Ltd 406/1 Roy Street Melbourne, Vic 3004 Australia  Phone +61 3 9510 2603 +61 414 502 811 Fax +61 3 9510 2605 info@takingaim.com.au
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