Archive for mobile apps

Smart Energy, Wireless Technologies, Trends to Wider Mobile Applications

For the last three years I have added executive search in Smart Energy as smart meters and remote M2M radios complement my executive search practice in Wireless Systems and Mobile Networks. When you look at the trend that 4G networks are all about “all IP networks” to a large degree, one can easily see where 5G networks using nano technology and cloud computing will benefit smart grids, end-users, R&E networks, and community networks on the mobile Internet through more cognitive applications –  both in radios and mobile apps.

Which brings us to the ultimate marriage between broadband carriers, mobile network operators, and utility providers. Certainly remote access to smart meters is preferred using mobile devices – especially the consumer market. The industrial market has heavily invested in moving from old SCADA type industrial control systems with printers and ethernet connections to wireless enabled Remote Monitoring and Alarm/Access Control. Making all of this work will require comutations that are more intutive and use distributed intelligence – as cognitive radio suggests.

Now for an excerpt from an excellent article by Christine Hertzog

Wireless ubiquitous networks are the communications foundation for the Smart Grid as well as the Internet of Things. Cellular, WiFi, WPAN and other communications technologies and protocols will enable electricity consuming and producing devices to be remotely monitored and managed, which in turn foster optimized awareness and use of resources. And in the best sense of recycling, many of the early lessons learned about Smart Grid deployments can and should be applied to projects focused in smart cities and the Internet of Things (IoT).

Here are a few observations:

1.The growth of wireless communications will stress existing bandwidth allocations of licensed versus unlicensed spectrum. The latest research is focused on cognitive radio technology, which is part of the nascent 5G or fifth generation of wireless technology, and it could help address spectrum stresses by dynamically allocating unused or underutilized licensed spectrum for temporary unlicensed applications.

Adrian Popescu, a leading researcher of the technology and professor based at Sweden’s Blekinge Institute of Technology, stated that “5G focuses on architectural and networking upgrades to 4G,and one of the key features is pervasive wireless computing and communications. Cognitive radiois a promising technology that helps 5G avoid spectrum constraints and thus achieve the vision ofubiquitous networks.”

The concept of cognitive radio is already actively practiced by drivers in major Chinese cities. Here, lane markings, akin to spectrum allocations, are merely suggestions for placement of vehicles, and driverse fluidly shift lanes to avoid congested intersections, sometimes straddling two lanes to create a newand temporary lane. This style of driving also elegantly illustrates the ideas of very decentralized and distributed intelligence, with each vehicle performing as an intelligent agent to optimize routing.

That has interesting implications for the Smart Grid and the larger IoT because it could enable applications that need infrequent transmissions of data that may range from just a few data bits toindicate a change to status to bulkier video communications regarding perimeter intrusions or camera-based inspections of remote sites.
Click here to view the rest of the article from The Energy Collective.

M2M2P possibly the Next Boom for the American Economy

M2M2P is the missing link for both consumers and business alike

M2M up to now has primarily been focused on vending machines, smart meters, and remote monitoring and access alarm controls (post SCADA). As the economy improves over the next 3-4 years allowing for private investments into 5G nano networks and the eventual marriage between the wireless operator, utility, and broadband carrier, the “human factor” of M2M2P focusing on user interface and user experience will change the way people manage their lives.

Yesterday Verizon announced a bigger move into M2M2P communications, especially for enterprise business customers (see Connected Planet interview http://bit.ly/ugu2zI)
A near-infinite number of IP addresses by the increasing use of IPv6 also means that mobile wallets, vehicles, and smart meters outside the home to security, energy, appliances, and medical devices inside the home – all can be managed by your smartphone or mobile tablet.

M2M2P is the missing link for both consumers and business alike and is more palatable to a growing economy (as reluctant taxpayers refuse more tax hikes and detest the idea of “cap and trade taxes”). For consumers, they will have the ability to manage heating, cooling, lights, appliances, and more according to their own comfort and budget. For business, M2M2P reduces production time, increases the lower cost of JIT inventories, and manages the transportation costs.

M2M2P without the over-regulation of cap and trade

M2M2P without the over-regulation of cap and trade means that the economy can grow in the 21st century according to the proven method that works – supply by business that meets the demand of consumers and businesses alike.

m2m2pImagine if you will how medical cost can be lowered, preventative diagnostics increased, and the communications between doctor and patient makes for better assessment and treatment methods.  Here is another good reason why M2M2P can be done more effectively by de-centralizing federally controlled healthcare and putting the control back to the patient-doctor relationship and states to allow for real competition among heath care insurers.

For enterprises, M2M2P means moving away from costly data centers to more efficient  mobile cloud computing and hybrid apps reduces capital expenditures and increases business efficiency  in predictive decisions based on synthesized data as well as workforce mobility.  As an executive recruiter, it still amazes me that most companies have still not embraced the reduction in facility cost and benefits resulting from telecommuting and/or allowing employees to work from home.  here is what M2M2P can do.  With Skype video, enterprise based private social networks, dropbox, and cloud computing, many positions from systems and software engineers to sales to marketing to finance do not require those additional facility, relocation, and benefits costs.

The other benefits of M2M2P are the ability to drive innovation for businesses – which is what has always made the USA the envy of the global community.  Personalization based on Web 3.0 serves businesses to better deliver according to consumers’ needs and preferences while at the same time driving companies to re-engineer their processes and business models. From being able to adjust orders and delivery to multi-functional kiosks to “click to chat” windows, using M2M2P, companies can better serve both B2B and B2C customers alike.

By combining the  growing list of  semantic web 3.0 technologies, Android and iOS and both public and private social network applications with 5G networks, M2M2P can be realized and spark a growth in the USA economy that we have not seen in more than a decade.  In order for this to happen, we MUST decentralize the federal government and unleash the might of the American spirit – which has always been driven by individual initiatives and business innovation without the obstruction of overburden regulations.