Technological/Informational Articles

Technological/Informational Articles

(articles surrounding wireless application in general, including creating a wireless infrastructure and problems associated with them)

the next big thing in tech. No, really. Maclean's, (116)11, p. 26.

AVAILABLE AT:

http://80-gateway.proquest.com.proxy.library.vanderbilt.edu/openurl?url_ver=Z39.88-2004&res_dat=xri:pqd&rft_val_fmt=info:ofi/fmt:kev:mtx:journal&genre=article&rft_dat=xri:pqd:did=000000630880371&svc_dat=xri:pqil:fmt=text&req_dat=xri:pqil:pq_clntid=2335

The biggest Wi-Fi users are currently business types, so Wi-Fi goes where they go. Calgary's Fairmont Palliser hotel installed a wireless network nine months ago. "Our customers love it," says general manager Roger Soane. "We have a very nice lobby and a lot of people like to come down in the morning, sit at one of the desks and do some work, maybe have a meeting there." Coffee shops are a popular destination, too.
Lee, Y. L. (April 29, 1996). Wireless data networks provide freedom—at a price.

InfoWorld, (18)18, p. 59. AVAILABLE AT:

http://80-gateway.proquest.com.proxy.library.vanderbilt.edu/openurl?url_ver=Z39.88-2004&res_dat=xri:pqd&rft_val_fmt=info:ofi/fmt:kev:mtx:journal&genre=article&rft_dat=xri:pqd:did=000000009581597&svc_dat=xri:pqil:fmt=text&req_dat=xri:pqil:pq_clntid=2335

Wireless data networks make it easier to set up temporary networks while still giving users access to the information they need. Deloitte & Touche Consulting Group ICS has reduced the setup time for consultants who install SAP AG applications. The company no longer spends days finding contiguous offices and setting up networks. Instead, consultants can find a temporary home wherever there is a spare desk, connect to the client's network from a wireless network, and begin designing applications. However, wireless connections are relatively expensive and provide low-speed links. Their cost is about twice that of 10Base-T Ethernet adapters. Lack of standards are also making vendors shy away from wireless.
Strom, D. (August 23, 1993). Wireless networking. InfoWorld, (15)34, p. 48.

AVAILABLE AT:

http://80-gateway.proquest.com.proxy.library.vanderbilt.edu/openurl?url_ver=Z39.88-2004&res_dat=xri:pqd&rft_val_fmt=info:ofi/fmt:kev:mtx:journal&genre=article&rft_dat=xri:pqd:did=000000000515121&svc_dat=xri:pqil:fmt=text&req_dat=xri:pqil:pq_clntid=2335

Extending the reach of the corporate network to support an increasingly mobile workforce is fraught with problems such as immature technology, lack of a nationwide wireless infrastructure, and unreliable support. Nevertheless, many corporations are investing heavily to outfit their workers with the latest wireless has to offer. Current wide-scale wireless implementers such as United Parcel Service and IBM have outfitted their field workers with specialized computers that use built-in wireless modems and private radio communications networks. There are 2 types of wireless networks that corporate networkers can take advantage of: in the building and around the town. In-building products include wireless LANs and bridges that use infrared and radio frequencies to transmit data within and between buildings. Metropolitan area services use radio frequencies and satellite communications to transmit data packets within the range of a major city.

4. Businesses Involved, Internet Links:

The following businesses are considered to leaders in wireless technologies, however, it should be noted that this is merely a small group representing a much larger whole that create, install, and run wireless applications across the globe. The following company websites may provide additional information regarding wireless applications in many fields.

Intel – www.intel.com

Microsoft – www.microsoft.com

LGT Communications – www.lgtwireless.com

Nextel – www.nextel.com

TeraGo Networks – www.terago.ca

Wireless Facilities, Incorporated – www.wfinet.com

Berkley WEBS (wireless embedded systems) – http://webs.cs.berkeley.edu/

UCSD Center for Wireless Communications (CWC) – http://www-cwc.ucsd.edu/

Center for Wireless Telecommunications (CWT) – http://www.cwt.vt.edu/

5. Business Support Materials

These sources are non-technical and will provide the student with information about how to build a business plan around their ideas for case solutions.

One of the most comprehensive sites on the Web for small and growing businesses, this site offers over 2000 articles, “how-to’s,” forms, agreements, questions-and-answers, solutions, and services useful to those starting a new business venture.

One of the leading sites for breaking financial news, investor tools and data, Bloomberg.com gives access to business information, including the latest data and analytical tools.

Bplans.com offers a large collection of free sample business plans online and helpful tools and know-how for managing a business. The site includes practical advice on planning, interactive tools, and a panel of experts available to answer specific questions.

This service springs from a weekly newspaper column addressing issues and questions of specific interest to entrepreneurs and emerging businesses. Each column focuses on the immediate consequences of the issue to the owner/manager of the emerging business.

MoreBusiness.com, a comprehensive resource for small businesses, contains tips, articles, ideas, templates, worksheets, sample business plans, tools, financial benchmarks, sample contracts, and websites.

The leading daily business newspaper.

A leading business journal.

A leading cutting-edge business journal.

Excellent source for technical information.

Economic Statistics and Research

SBA Support in starting, financing and managing a business

Provides support services for home-based companies.

Resources include newsletters, archives, SBA and other Government sites and related affiliates.

The mission of the Strategic Business Planning Co. is to help organizations define their mission and achieve their objectives by developing business and strategic plans and by periodically conducting a comprehensive review of the environment in which they operate.

Resources include population census, economic data, Business surveys, and other related Bureau statistics.

The Entrepreneur's Mind is a Web-based resource that presents an array of real-life stories and advice from successful entrepreneurs and industry experts on the many different facets of entrepreneurship and emerging business.

Provides solutions for growing businesses

Provides information about new products and ideas (some student developed).

6. On-Line Experts

The Online Experts play an important part in the PBL model, because they connect the learner with an experienced person in the field related to the case. Selecting these individuals is critical to the success of the program, in that they must be willing to respond to students’ e-mails, telephone calls, and/or have meetings with students. Online Experts will be selected at the time the case is implemented in order to be current and to connect to the local environment.

Networking specialist

Wireless phone specialist

Local vendors

University administrators

7. Online Resources and Video Clips

10. Implementation

Usually the class is divided up into teams of 4-5 people, who are given an opportunity to review the Entrepreneurs in Action! exercise and to develop strategies for solving the situation or to see new ventures. Thus, students work together in small groups and learn a wide variety of skills related to teamwork development, problem identification, resource analysis and synthesis, product or process identification, potential market development, the application of cross-disciplinary thinking, product and process cost analysis, and written and verbal presentation skills. In this model, the case presents the students with an unresolved issue, provides some resources and permits the students to take charge of their own learning and to develop a new business venture out of the given situation.

11. Introducing Cases

Several methods may be used to introduce the Entrepreneurs in Action! cases to the class, as follows:

1. 
   Divide the class into groups and to present the case to each group and permit limited discussions between groups.
   
2. 
   Permit a selected number of students to role-play the scenario as a way of introducing the case.
   
3. 
   Fishbowl. A small group of students may be requested to sit in the middle of the room and to discuss topics related to the case. The other students would observe and would synthesize the events afterwards.
   
4. 
   Students may also be shown selected video clips to start the entrepreneurial thinking process. Some video clips are “The Triumph of the Nerds” series, the “Apprentice” show, the “October Sky” movie, “Pirates of Silicon Valley” movie, the “Seabiscuit” movie, or the Public TV version.
   

12. Student Activities

Students are expected to participate actively in their groups and to contribute to developing creative ideas for possible business ventures. In doing so, students may be required to learn through reflections. Students can be required to keep a journal of the activities of each group meeting and to record his or her thoughts and comments about the process. Students may also use concept mapping to study the issues and track progress development. IHMConcept Map Software is available free at http://cmap.coginst.uwf.edu/docs/.

13. Products

The final products to the cases are usually a written business plan and a final oral presentation. The final oral presentation can be given to different groups, such as the local Chamber of Commerce, other business and civic groups, a panel of Online Experts and/or to the class. A rubric is used to judge the creative and entrepreneurial ventures and grades are assigned based on the rubric evaluation. The development of the final product usually follows the outline below.

1. Phase One – Doing the Research

2. Phase Two – Find a Solution

3. Phase Three – Taking it Public

4. Formative

1. Weekly logs

2. In-class observations

5. Summative

1. Business Plan Evaluations