Today, distinction between desktop and laptop
has blurred. So is the case with smart phones (like iPhones by Apple) and
pocket version of laptops (iPads by Apple). A broad feature of mobile device is
portability (small in size) while accessible anytime, anywhere, and anyhow.
New-generation mobile device provides facility to make calls, send text
messages (feature of mobile phones) in addition to web support and more of the
things that we do over desktop/laptop. Newer applications like the mobile
device checking blood pressure are
becoming a reality. Investing in a new mobile technology application
(proprietary) can further reduce cost and bring efficiency to a business while
giving competitive advantage.
Definition of IT, IS,
and MIS
According to Whitten and Bentley, Information
Technology (IT) refers to combination of computer technology (hardware and
software) and telecommunications technology (data, image, and voice networks).
Information System (IS) is “arrangement of people, data, processes, and
information technology that interact to collect, process, store, and provide as
output the information needed to support the organization”. Management
Information System (MIS) is information system applied for management reporting
based on business transactions and operations of an organization.
Mobile telephony, interactive digital television, or any other networking
technology can be part of communication system of an enterprise providing
access to information from a distance.
Software Agents and Intelligent System
According to Bradshaw, Carpenter, Cranfill,
and Jeffers, software agents can be defined as entities that function
continuously and autonomously in a particular environment that is often
inhabited by other agents and processes. Agents gather data from their
experiences, interact with people and with other agents, and, when needed,
transfer itself different places within private networks and on the internet.
Included are intelligent modules built from soft computing components.
From perspective of a smart phone application
developer, bundling means adding of modular products and services that are
mobile technology-based. Modularity means genetic product or service adapted to
be context-related. Layers involve addition of attributes and characteristics
based on customer personalization, localization, brand profiles, and privacy.
According to Carlsson and Walden, flexibility
and value-addition leveraging mobile technology will be distinguishing elements
going forward. The authors predict more personalization and exchange of secure
messages as key areas of future e-Commerce research.
According to Ismail, there are four key
criteria that an agent should meet: Autonomy, Social Ability, Responsiveness,
and Pro-activeness. Autonomy is ability of an agent to carry out most of
problem solving without direct intervention of human or other agents. Social
ability means agent should be able to interact when appropriate with software
agents and humans. Responsiveness means agent should recognize its environment
(physical world, a user, a group of agents, internet, etc.). Pro-activeness
means agent should not only act in response to its environment but also be able
to take initiatives and exploit opportunities.
References
1. Carlsson, Christer and Walden, Pirkko
(2002), Further quests for value-added products and services in mobile
commerce, ECIS, June 6-8, Poland.
Mobile telephony, interactive digital television, or any other networking technology can be part of communication system of an enterprise providing access to information from a distance.
