Tuesday, February 3, 2009

cisco telepresence

Introduction

It is of course very difficult to predict a technology that will have an Impact on the way we do things giving how fast the technology moves.
Who would've predicted in 1997 that a search engine company would rule the Web tech world in 2007? Probably not many people, given that Google wasn't formed until September 1998. It's possible that the dominant web technology of 2017 doesn't even exist yet, or is a twinkle in a UCSI Uni student's eye (or maybe a Shanghai Uni student).

The world is flat and moving fast


According to Rebecca Jacoby, CIO, Cisco TelePresence allows us to build relationships globally, which accelerates productivity through innovation and a broader access to talent. This creates a competitive advantage that is even more enduring than the dramatic reduction in travel cost.

Therefore to excel in today’s fast-paced, global business environment, you must continuously innovate and transform your business model—and you need a plan to respond rapidly to unexpected situations that affect business continuity. Relationships and effective communications are critical to success, determining how competitive and responsive you can be, how quickly you can make decisions, and how fast you can get to market. They can even play a role in your level of environmental responsibility.

Telepresence a technology by Cisco which allows a person to feel as if they were present, to give the appearance that they were present, or to have an effect, at a location other than their true location. This is already been in place in a big organization but it has not been used by many and maybe in the near future it will be a common technology in our environment.


Meeting Face-to-Face Is Competitive Advantage

Cisco TelePresence can help. It delivers a unique, “in person” experience with remote participants— you can interact and collaborate with others like never before, moving faster and more effectively. Cisco TelePresence interactions use industry leading video, audio and environmental to create real-time, live, in person communications.

Using Cisco TelePresence

The Cisco TelePresence experience embodies three important principles: quality as good as being there, simplicity of use, and a low total cost of ownership. Cisco TelePresence was designed to make you look and sound like you do in person. With very high-quality audio and high-definition video at low latency and a optimized meeting environment, you can communicate and converse in real time, catching every comment, gesture, expression, and nuance of the conversation. Cisco TelePresence was designed to take advantage of the tools you use every day, integrating with enterprise groupware and unified communications, so scheduling and starting meetings are extremely easy. There is no need for staff, training, menus, or manuals.
With dial-tone reliability and global connectivity, Cisco TelePresence provides far greater ROI than traditional video communications. You can “be “anywhere in the world at the touch of a button.

The impact of Nanotechnology in modern society

In modern society, the person are more in pursuit of the lifestyle, which is not only comfortable and convent, but also reliability, durability and low production/cost. In my opinion, the Nanotechnology is one of the important technologies, which can impact the modern society in the next ten or twenty years. According to Nick Jones---a vice president, the Nanotechnologies they've identified will evolve quickly and will likely pose issues that will have to be addressed by short term strategies.

What is “Nano”?

Nanotechnology is one modern technologies, which can increase recovery, reduce unit costs, increase export and competence development.
According to the definition of Tim HarperThe:” 'N' word seems to be in fashion at the moment, and we're not afraid to highlight misuses in TNT Weekly. Some of the marketing guys have already realized that a 'pico' is smaller than a 'nano', and it won't be long before we hear more about femto. But I'd bet that very few of them are registered to anyone connected with nanotechnology.” [1]

Revolutionary Nanotech Products

Within the nanotechnology, it might be possible to create a liquid paint that once it dries could function as a display screen. The paint might either be subsequently plugged in to receive signals and energy, or simply be solar powered and receive wireless signals. Of course, it needn't emit light as our current display screens do. It would be enough just to have pixels that could change color. Might nanotechnology economically produce such a paint?

Furthermore, Nanotechnology will be bound by the same rules of economics as most other companies, selling various things to other people for a profit. The experience in the Field Emission Display market has shown the difficulties of taking a great idea to market, ten years of development have yet to yield a product that can be sold at a reasonable price.

If I am a investor, I would be very wary of anyone proposing a paint that functions as a screen, is self powered, communicates with other screens, tap dances and a whole host of other things. For each of those applications, you have a different set of problems, of lifetime, of stability, of interfacing, of driving the thing & so on.

Possibilities of Nanotechnology

There has been identified many possibilities of Nanotechnology in the petroleum industry, such as lightweight but stronger materials, improved temperature and pressure sensors, nanodust applications to provide data reservoir characterization, fluid-flow monitoring, and fluid-type recognition.

At China’s Shandong University nanotechnology their specialised petroleum laboratory, has developed an advanced fluid mixed with nano-sized particles which significantly improves drilling speed and this blend eliminates damage to the reservoir rock in the well, making it possible to extract more oil.

GP Nano Technology Group Ltd in Hong Kong developed nano sized silicon carbide ceramic powder which yields exceptionally hard materials. Nanocrystaline substances can contribute to harder, more wear-resistant and durable drilling equipment [2]

Conclusion

Over the next ten or twenty years, this sort of technology---Nanotechnology, is expected to become more commonplace, The technology will be backwards compatible, allowing old devices to communicate with new ones, so there's no reason for it not take off in the upcoming years. Further in the future Nano Technology will be the defining value creation areas.


Reference:
1. Tim Harper(July 4, 2001), NanoWorld.net, From world wide website: http://www.nanoword.net/library/weekly/aa070401a.htm
2. Halliburton, Aker Kvaerner, Technology Strategy for Integrated Operations and Real Time Reservoir Management, from the World Wide Website: http://www.og21.org/filestore/TTA/TTA/TTA5_IntergratedoperationsandRTRMversion24062008.doc

The Impact of Wireless Broadband on Society

Introduction
Broadband is the imaging creation of technology while currently people can connect wirelessly from home. In fact Wireless Broadband (WiBB) is a fairly new technology that provides high-speed wireless internet and data network access over a wide area. Besides that, Wireless broadband available in Internet cafés, local “hot spots” within many cities, private businesses and many homes. The advantage of wireless broadband is that the computer receiving the Internet signal need not be tethered by an Ethernet or network cable to the broadband modem or router. [1] A wireless broadband modem receives the service and transmits it via radio waves to the immediate surrounding area.

Advantages
Wireless broadband could benefit different sectors of industries. For instance, operators can use this technology in rolling out data more quickly, without spending a cent for wire-line devices or infrastructure. When different companies upgrade to wireless broadband, it could promote better products and services throughout various business sectors. Some of the advantages are given below;

Ø The most common way to take advantage of wireless broadband is by using a laptop computer. You will need a wireless broadband adapter, commonly available in a portable computer (PC) card format. This is a small credit-card style device that slips into an external port on the laptop. With a little configuration of the software, the laptop will start searching for a wireless broadband signal. Once detected, a handshake is required between the laptop and the network. If the network is not protected by a secure password or other firewall protocol, the laptop will be able to connect to the wireless broadband signal. [1]

Ø Current wireless infrastructures, however, as well as next generation proposals, cannot furnish the necessary bandwidth and capacity to provide these services (surf the Web, download large files, and have real-time video conference) to users traveling at highway speeds. Whereas Mobile Wireless Enhancement to WLAN: Carucel™, The Carucel™ network employs a patented moving base station technology capable of providing broadband service to users traveling at highway speeds. [2]

Ø Since wireless broadband is transmitted via radio waves, secure passwords and firewalls are used on private networks to ensure unauthorized persons cannot connect to the network. [1]

Ø Wireless broadband technologies also include new services from companies such as Verizon, Sprint, and AT&T Mobility, which allow a more mobile version of this broadband access. Consumers can purchase a PC card, laptop card, or USB equipment to connect their PC or laptop to the Internet via cell phone towers. This type of connection would be stable in almost any area that could also receive a strong cell phone connection. These connections can cost more for portable convenience as well as having speed limitations in all but urban environments.

How Does Wireless Broadband Work?
Wireless broadband is an Internet access technology that features high-speed connections over the air. Wireless broadband devices operate on radio ways to transmit or receive data over the air, even without relying on any kind of physical connection.
These kinds of networks usually operate at frequencies lesser than 6 GHz and broadband speeds from 256 kbps to several Mbps.

Wireless broadband networks have several base stations that serve a particular area with network connectivity. Unlike traditional cable or ADSL broadband that uses a phone line, a wireless broadband delivers Internet access to your computer via a wireless connection by using towers across locations that the service provider hosts.

With wireless broadband connections, the modem has a built-in antenna that could connect your computer easily to various towers. With these kinds of technologies, you can bring your computer and still get access to the Internet as long as the provider still covers the area you will be going. [3]

Wireless Broadband in Economy
Wireless technology will continue to have a huge impact on the economy as it becomes easier for businesses and their employees to access the Internet on their cell phones and other wireless devices, according to a study to be released Wednesday by the CTIA, a trade group for the wireless industry.

Productivity gains from people using wireless broadband services will generate $860 billion in additional gross domestic product in the next 10 years, higher than the $600 billion estimated in earlier findings from 2005, says the study, which was conducted by communications analyst Roger Entner at Ovum, a technology consulting firm. [4]

References
[1] http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-wireless-broadband.htm
[2] http://www.carucel.com/
[3] http://blog.worldvillage.com/computers/how_does_wireless_broadband_work.html
[4] http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/05/27/wireless-broadband-boosts-economy/

Monday, February 2, 2009

Technology Impacts

Organizational environment refers to those forces outside its boundaries that can impact it. Forces can change over time and are made up of opportunities and threats. Opportunities are openings for managers to enhance revenues or open markets, e.g. new technologies, new markets and ideas. Threats are the issues that can harm an organization like economic recessions and oil shortages. The managers must seek opportunities and avoid threats.

Internal EnvironmentOrganizations internal environment refers to the elements within the organization. Like Current employees, Management, Trade unions, Share holders

External Environmentit consists of all the outside institutions and forces that have an actual or potential interest or impact on the organization's ability to achieve its objectives. E.g. Competitive, Technological, Political, Legal.

Hardware Trends will be about smaller, lighter and -- most importantly -- more convenience. For the first time in history, we're not so into power unless we're using for something specific, like computer games, CAD, photo and video editing, etc. Since, the vast majority of people use their computer for email, browsing the Internet, and some occasional word processing, mainstream technology will focus becoming smaller, lighter and more convenient. More Convenience Means Form Over Function, Mass appeal is no longer about power, it's about convenience. Hardware has become powerful enough to run everything the majority of us need: docs, email, web, pics and songs. We've now reached the point at the hardware will be as small as it can get, we -- the humans -- are the limiting factor. Our fingers stay the same size no matter how small the internal nuts and bolts become. For now, the size of our devices is limited by the size of our fingers. For instance, large fingered individuals already have problems with many cell phones. [1]

Information becomes the important part in today’s business. The new technology make data and information management easily and safe. Not only the staffs but also the administrator can access the information easily and data management organizes internal facts into data record format, because of the technology environment, information management and digitized media become the main trend in business.


The current technology influence the way of doing work in many sides. It improves the work efficiency and brings a lot of benefits, In my opinion, the fuel cells technology will have a big influence in the future, Today, fuel cells are being developed to power passenger vehicles, commercial buildings, homes, and even small devices such as laptop computers. Fuel cell systems can be extremely efficient over a large range of sizes (from 1 kW to hundreds of megawatts). Some systems can achieve overall efficiencies of 80% or more when heat production is combined with power generation. Fuel cell systems integrated with hydrogen production and storage can provide fuel for vehicles, energy for heating and cooling, and electricity to power our communities. These clean systems offer a unique opportunity for energy independence, highly reliable energy services, and economic benefits. [2]

reference:
[1]http://www.widowpc.com/2008/01/computer_trends.php
[2]http://www1.eere.energy.gov/hydrogenandfuelcells/fuelcells/current_technology.html

Sunday, February 1, 2009

Technology Impacts Organization Environment

Nowadays, with the development of the technology, the environment of organization becomes more and more complex, more and more new situations appear in the organization.
Organizational environment refers to the forces that can make an impact. Forces made up opportunities and threats. Organizations dose not exist in isolation. It works with the overall environment. The environments have been divided into two main parts as internal environment and external environment.

Internal EnvironmentOrganizations internal environment refers to the elements within the organization. Internally, an organization can be viewed as a resource conversion machine that takes inputs (labor, money, materials and equipment) from the external environment (i.e., the outside world), converts them into useful products, goods, and services, and makes them available to customers as outputs.
● Current employees
● Management
● Trade unions
● Share holders

External EnvironmentIt consists of all the outside institutions and forces that have an actual or potential interest or impact on the organization's ability to achieve its objectives:
● Competitive
Technological
● Political
● Legal

Through the relationship between the internal environment and external environment we can understand that the external environment impact the internal environment. Meanwhile, the technology becomes the important part in the external environment.
The technology environment advances in organizational performance and impact the nowadays organization and work environment in four aspects.

Hardware trends:
Personal computers have been popularized from 1980s, today’s business becomes more and more rely on the computers, not only B2B (Business to Business) but also the B2C (Business to Customer). The innovation of the hardware makes the business easy and fast. The expansion of the chip also improves the store ability of the database.

Software trends:
Software also becomes the important part in today’s business. In order to improve the efficiency of the business, more and more software has been developed such as the accounting software; HR (Human Resource) management software etc. under these software help the business and management become easy and fast such as easy operation, easy maintain, easy update personal information and easy calculate.

Data trends:
Information becomes the important part in today’s business. The new technology make data and information management easily and safe. Not only the staffs but also the administrator can access the information easily and data management organizes internal facts into data record format, because of the technology environment, information management and digitized media become the main trend in business.

Communication trends:
Telecom as an integral component of IS (Information System) management and the communication-based information systems link organizations to their suppliers and customers, also shifted mainframe-centered computing to network-centric computing.

As above said, the technology impact today’s business in many ways, but the organization environment and the technology environment can not exist in isolation, the combination is necessary and important, the management information system will become the main technology and knowledge in current and future business and work situations.

Reference:
[1] Gary Jhones (2007) Organizational environment Available at: http://futureseekers.blogspot.com/2007/08/organizational-environment.html (Accessed: 31 Jan 2009).

An Assignment about Emerging Technology

In my own opinion, I predict the current advanced technology of Kyocera ---- continue pushing ahead from silicon ribbon crystal to polycrystalline silicon using casting technlogy, will have the most impact on the way work is done.

Because Kyocera is the current advanced technology with cherishing a noble idea for the benefit of humanity. What's more, at the threshold of new technologies, Kyocera is always at the forefront.

And at the same time, it has three features.
(1) It adopts d.Blue cell traps to be more sunlight.
In order to improve efficiency and reduce energy lost by reflection, Kyocera has used plasma and reactive gas in reactive ion etching (RIE) to create micron-level roughness on the surface of d.Blue solar batteries. The pleasing dark surface color looks sophisticated on roofs.
(2) SAMURAI goes on sale.
In June 2003, Kyocera launched the Samurai, a solar power generation system for rooftop installation on existing homes. In this case, the solar cells fit like a second roof, to maximize power output according to the shape and area of each surface.
(3) Among the varied industries, it's the first industry to adopt casting in production.
Kyocera's polycrystalline silicon solar cells produced using the casting technique are now in use around the world. Kyocera continues to hone its technological leadership, delivering an unceasing stream of excellent products that benefit both people and the environment [1].

Considering the organisational environments (internal, external and new work) and the technology environments (hardware, software and data trends), Kyocera techonology is connected and more important.

As to the internal organisational environment, its features are like these.
a. Skilla and talent shortages
b. Demand-pull systems: customer driven business processed
c. Team-based working
d. Anyplace, Anytime work
e. Outsourcing and Strategic Alliances
f. The Demise of Hierarchy

As to the external organisational environment, there are these aspects of its characteristics as below.
a. The new digital economy (B2B, B2C)
b. Globalisation (the world is a marketplace)
c. Ecosystems -- web of relationships around companies
d. The Idea Economy (ideas, IP and knowledge)
e. Deregulation -- entry of new companies
f. Faster Business Cycles
As to the new work environment, it is:
a. Leverage Knowledge globally: use knowledge based strategies
b. Organise for complexity
c. Work electronically
d. Manage change

As to hardware trends, it is:
Batch processing predominant; on-line systems emerged later; Client-Server computing

As to software trends, it is:
a. Improve the productivity of in-house programmers
b. Programming issues, such as Modular and structures programming techniques, life cycle development methodologies and software engineering and so on.
c. Prototyping

As to data trends, it is:
File management, Corporate databases, Dictionary / directory, Specification and format, Data definition, etc..

On the whole, if a current advanced technology will make more successes in its development life cycle, it will need to match, satisfy and meet all the environments which include the organisational environments and the technology environments. Point at this, Kyocera has done it.

Reference:
[1] Dr. Kazuo Inamori. (1959) Current Advanced Technology. Available at: http://global.kyocera.com/prdct/solar/spirit/technology/more.html (Accessed: 1 February 2009).