Exercise 15: M-commerce: Innovation and mobile devices

1. What is meant by a location based service? Explain using the Web applications found on a late model mobile device.

Wikipedia (2010) states that location-based service (LBS) is an information and entertainment service, accessible with mobile devices through the mobile network and utilizing the ability to make use of the geographical position of the mobile device. LBS services can be used in a variety of contexts, such as health, work, personal life, etc. LBS services include services to identify a location of a person or object, such as discovering the nearest banking cash machine or the whereabouts of a friend or employee. LBS services include parcel tracking and vehicle tracking services. LBS can include mobile commerce when taking the form of coupons or advertising directed at customers based on their current location.

2. Describe the purpose of the Open Mobile Alliance Initiative?

Wikipedia (2010) reports that The Open Mobile Alliance (OMA) is a standards body which develops open standards for the mobile phone industry. The purpose of the Open Mobile Alliance is to grow the market for the entire mobile industry by removing barriers to interoperability, supporting a seamless and easy to use mobile experience for users and a market environment that encourages competition through innovation and differentiation.

3. What are the main components of a mobile Web services framework?

The European Space Agency (2008) states that the components of a mobile web services framework are:



Mobile Server
The Mobile Server is a mobile remote computer, linked to the Internet via an Inmarsat Regional Broadband Global Area Network (RBGAN) User Terminal (UT).

Gatekeeper
The Gatekeeper is placed on the terrestrial Internet, and acts as the sole gateway to the Mobile Server.

RBGAN UT / Thuraya Satellite / RBGAN SAS
The physical connection between the remote web server and the Gatekeeper is established using a Satellite Access Station, a Telecommunications Satellite and a satellite modem.

GPS / Data Acquisition system / Web cam
The Mobile Server is connected to a set of peripherals, such as a GPS device, a web cam and/or a Data Acquisition system.

Application server / Client PC
The Gatekeeper handles requests from clients over the Internet.

4. Visit an airline Web site and search for information on WAP or SMS or 3G mobile application access to booking airline services. The same services exist in banking. How do both industries compare?

I visited the Hong Kong Dragon Airlines Limited web site (http://www.dragonair.com).


And I found her mobile check-in services used WAP in the following:

• Select seats using a seat map
• Save the check-in confirmation with the barcode on the mobile device
• Customer can choose to save her check-in confirmation on her mobile or send it to her mobile device via SMS or email.
• Saving the check-in confirmation barcode on her mobile will allow customer retrieve the barcode anytime



There are comparison between airlines and banks on availability and practicality.
A banking WAP service allows the customer to save from queuing up and anywhere.
A passenger is far less likely using WAP to book a flight, when he is already at an airport. However, a banking WAP service is practicality.

Reference:
European Space Agency 2008, ESA Telecommunication: Mobile Web Services Framework, last modified 19 Jun 2008, viewed 14 May 2010, http://telecom.esa.int/telecom/www/object/index.cfm?fobjectid=12852

Wikipedia 2010, Location-based service, last modified 3 May 2010, viewed 13 May 2010, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Location_based_service

Wikipedia 2010, Open Mobile Alliance, last modified 5 May 2010, viewed 14 May 2010, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Open_Mobile_Alliance

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