Pervasive Computing Review

Assignment on MIS


Submitted by,
Nithin S
M140038MS
1
st
year MBA,SOMS NITC













Pervasive computing refers to the ubiquitous presence of computing in both mobile and
embedded environments, with the ability to access and update information anywhere,
anyplace and anytime. A combination of technology developments and business factors is
raising interest in how organizations can make their workers more connected wherever they
are.
Pervasive computing is the next generation computing environments with information &
communication technology everywhere, for everyone, at all times. Information and
communication technology will be an integrated part of our environments: from toys, milk
cartons and desktops to cars, factories and whole city areas - with integrated processors,
sensors, and actuators connected via high-speed networks and combined with new
visualization devices ranging from projections directly into the eye to large panorama
displays. In short, pervasive computing goes beyond the realm of personal computers: it is the
idea that almost any device, from clothing to tools to appliances to cars to homes to the
human body to your coffee mug, can be imbedded with chips to connect the device to an
infinite network of other devices. The goal of pervasive computing, which combines current
network technologies with wireless computing, voice recognition, Internet capability and
artificial intelligence, is to create an environment where the connectivity of devices is
embedded in such a way that the connectivity is unobtrusive and always available.

PERVASIVE COMPUTING AT ROYAL MILE PUB CASE STUDY
Many advantages can be obtained from the pervasive computing system. The system
basically helps to improve the business performance and reduce satisfaction due to error, such
as wrong order, wrong billing and long waiting time. Firstly, would be a more reliable and
faster food ordering and delivering service. The customer can order food and drink much
faster without having petty routine that delays their order to serving time unnecessarily. For
example, with the pervasive computing in action; there is no need to wait for the server to
carry their order to the kitchen. Thus, the food will be served to customer much more quickly.
Secondly would be the convenience of ordering services for the customer. This system not
only allow customer to easily make selection on the menu items in the PDA; the customer
does not need to worry of being served wrongly. This is so as the order of the food is
captured system wise under this pervasive system. Thirdly, the respective servers can spent
more time with the customers. The customers does not need to wait long before their order
can be taken as each server can handle more tables because they make half as many trips out
of the serving area compared to before the pervasive computing system was implemented.
Also, information on all menu items that are not available will trigger the server in which
customers will be informed immediately. Servers making unnecessary trip to and fro the
kitchen and to the customers can be eliminated. Thus eliminating unnecessary dissatisfaction
to the customers as well as to the servers. As the order taken appears immediately on the
screen in the kitchen and bar, aside from eliminating the servers trip to both places
mentioned, the kitchen receives the order almost instantly. Thus, food and drinks can be
served much more quickly. Lastly and most importantly, the billing will be error free as well.
This is because the system totals each bill and thus eliminating arithmetic errors. Customers
would definitely appreciate accurate billing given to them.
A few strategic advantages can be generated through pervasive computing services. They are
human error rate reduction, simplification of the task performed, strengthening customer
relationship, improvement via rreduction of response time, work efficiency increase, cost
reduction of the overall operation, and more space capacity freed. Firstly, all food and drinks
are prepared correctly with accurate accounting done for all meals. Thus, brings us to human
error rate reduction since the operation now depends more to the system than to human.
Secondly, simplification of the task by simplifying the tasks of a servers of which minimize
unnecessary trip of servers to the kitchen or bar, thus, reducing the movement to the serving
areas only. As a result, more time can be spent with the customers. Indirectly, better
strengthen relationship with customer. Thirdly, paperwork and reduction in processing time
provides an easy mechanism of collecting valuable customer information and data to help
corporations perform a more effective customer relationships management. Fourthly,
placement of order processes immediately and more customers can be entertained
immediately. This will reduce the response time to order and serving. Thus, improving
overall turn around cycle time. Fifthly, integration with enterprise database and inventory
control systems helps reduce operation cost incurred. Improvement in workflow can be seen
as well. Thus, creating better inventory and personnel management. Aside from the above,
pervasive computing enable a more convenient access to relevant information stored on
powerful networks. Information required to review or monitor can be obtained for further
evaluation and analysis prior to implementation of any new function or new task in the
operation. As the overall efficiency is improved without having to increase the facilities such
as the data entry stations, more space is freed up. Thus, an increased in space of operation can
be obtained.
The advantage of pervasive computing is that computers are transparently integrated into
peoples lives. Smart environments embedded with computing technologies that is mostly
out-of sight. Architecture gains many more capabilities with less visual cutter. Interactions
with architecture will be more social in nature. "Smart" buildings will elicit a more social
response from occupants as computers user interfaces embed themselves within
architecture. "Smart" environments will help occupants to make better choices as they go
about their everyday lives. At key moments within architectural experiences, a good
architectural design will make "smart" environments helpful. Such architecture will be more
proactive than passive. Buildings are now becoming more and more kinetic in form and
function. Their movements and constructed designs come together dynamically to yield
behaviours that make them more adaptive. Buildings will learn how to learn - in order to run
efficiently and aesthetically. Since architecture will be gaining a type of "nervous system",
information processing will be gaining a whole new meaning. Architecture will go from
crunching data to making sense of data; therefore, eliminating our need to constantly input
adjustments. As computers ubiquitously embed themselves in our environments, sensors and
actuators will create "smart" environments where architectural space will be goal-oriented.
Therefore, more occupant needs will be better met. Much of our environment will be
supplemented with interconnected digital technologies. Such interconnectivity will allow for
a new type of "sharing" that will serve to eliminate many mundane tasks. Also, fewer errors
will occur as systems pull data from shared digital locations (instead of having numerous
copies to keep up-to-date).

When there is a pro, there is always a con to it. This is a natural balance of cause and effect
theory. There are some reasons that not all restaurants adopted it. Firstly, would be difficulty
in adapting to costly maintenance system. A good and reliable maintenance system is a must
to ensure all information and database are well preserved and not corrupted. Secondly, there
are still many businessmen out there that run their business the old fashion way, i.e. non
electronic technological kind of way. A few might have already adopted computer system in
managing their restaurant but still many will be reluctant to try new stuff due to limited
understanding of the new technology. Thirdly, there are limited accesses that the current
pervasive computing might not be able to meet up to the demanding requirement of certain
restaurants. Most challenges of pervasive computing fall into five main classifications:
attention, complexity, privacy, security, and extensibility. Other challenges in pervasive
computing include the way social interaction is changed because of technology, methods for
evaluating pervasive computing applications, development cycle issues, costs, and hardware
and software limitations (such as size and weight, energy use, user interface, and
disappearing software).

Considerations
Just because pervasive computing makes sense for some companies, that doesn't mean it will
deliver value for everyone. To be successful, an organization must do several things when
undertaking a pervasive computing project.
Define clear goals. Determine how pervasive computing will be used and why, including the
job functions and system features to be mobilized. Also, articulate the expected benefits and
how they will be measured. Finally, it's usually best to implement a pilot and verify that
expectations are being met before embarking on expensive enterprise wide efforts.
Understand the work environment. Without this, appropriate technology decisions can't be
made. Be aware of the costs involved. Cellular data networks are metered today, making
transmission of large amounts of data cost-prohibitive. In environments where networks are
unavailable, unreliable, slow or costly, the ability to work off-line and periodically
synchronize data is critical. Determine early on the type of device that will be needed. Is the
additional expense of a rugged device warranted, or will a laptop or PDA suffice? How much
data entry is involved? Does the device need a keyboard, a bar code scanner or a stylus?
What size screen is needed? How much storage is needed? Battery life is still a gating factor,
so be clear about power requirements.
Address device management and security issues upfront. Security and systems
management are already big enough issues for IT departments, without the added complexity
of mobile device support. Failure to appropriately address pervasive environments is usually
where pervasive computing projects go wrong.
Select a wireless software vendor carefully. A plethora of wireless software companies has
sprung up over the last few years. Be careful in selecting your vendor, since ultimately, the
big companies already build wireless capabilities transparently into their products, just as
they have done with Internet protocols. The need to implement separate wireless middleware
will eventually evaporate, resulting in a lot of business-challenged vendors and unsupported
products.
Evaluate the impacts to your technical staff. While pervasive computing products are
maturing, most don't yet offer the features needed for enterprise computing out of the box.
For this reason, organizations shouldn't underestimate the skills and experience needed to
complete a business-critical pervasive computing project.





Case Study
Pervasive Computing at Royal Mile Pub
Why would customers appreciate this pervasive computing system?
Many advantages can be obtained from the pervasive computing system. The system
basically help to improve the business performance and reduce unsatisfaction due to error,
such as wrong order, wrong billing and long waiting time.
Firstly, would be a more reliable and faster food ordering and delivering service. The
customer can order food and drink much faster without having petty routine that delays their
order to serving time unnecessarily. For example, with the pervasive computing in action;
there is no need to wait for the server to carry their order to the kitchen. Thus, the food will
be served to customer much more quickly.
Secondly would be the convenience of ordering services for the customer. This system
not only allow customer to easily make selection on the menu items in the PDA; the customer
does not need to worry of being served wrongly. This is so as the order of the food is
captured system wise under this pervasive system.
Thirdly, the respective servers can spent more time with the customers. The customers
does not need to wait long before their order can be taken as each server can handle more
tables because they make half as many trips out of the serving area compared to before the
pervasive computing system was implemented.
Also, information on all menu items that are not available will trigger the server in which
customers will be informed immediately. Servers making unnecessary trip to and fro the
kitchen and to the customers can be eliminated. Thus, eliminating unnecessary dissastifaction
to the customers as well as to the servers.
As the order taken appears immediately on the screen in the kitchen and bar, aside from
eliminating the servers trip to both places mentioned, the kitchen receive the order almost
instantly. Thus, food and drinks can be served much more quickly.
Lastly and most importantly, the billing will be error free as well. This is because the
sytsem totals each bill and thus eliminating artimetic errors. Customers would definitely
appreciate accurate billing given to them.


What strategic advantage is generated?
A few strategic advantages can be generated through pervasive computing services.
They are human error rate reduction, simplification of the task performed, strengthening
customer relationship, improvement via reduction of response time, work efficiency increase,
cost reduction of the overall operation, and more space capacity freed.
Firstly, all food and drinks are prepared correctly with accurate accounting done for
all meals. Thus, brings us to human error rate reduction since the operation now depends
more to the system than to human.
Secondly, simplification of the task by simplifying the tasks of a servers of which
minimize unnecessary trip of servers to the kitchen or bar, thus, reducing the movement to
the serving areas only. As a result, more time can be spent with the customers. Indirectly,
better strengthen relationship with customer.
Thirdly, paperwork and reduction in processing time provides an easy mechanism of
collecting valuable customer information and data to help corporations perform a more
effective customer relationships management.
Fourthly, placement of order processes immediately and more customers can be
entertained immediately. This will reduce the response time to order and serving. Thus,
improving overall turn around cycle time.
Fifthly, integration with enterprise database and inventory control systems helps
reduce operation cost incurred. Improvement in workflow can be seen as well. Thus, creating
better inventory and personnel management.
Aside from the above, pervasive computing enable a more convenient access to
relevant information stored on powerful networks. Information required to review or monitor
can be obtained for further evaluation and analysis prior to implementation of any new
function or new task in the operation.
As the overall efficiency is improved without having to increase the facilities such as
the data entry stations, more space is freed up. Thus, an increased in space of operation can
be obtained.
If such a system is beneficial to all, why have not all restaurants adopted it?
When there is a pro, there is always a con to it. This is a natural balance of cause and effect
theory. There are some reasons that not all restaurants adopted it.
Firstly, would be difficulty in adopting to costly maintenance system. A good and
reliable maintenance system is a must to ensure all information and database are well
preserved and not corrupted.
Secondly, there are still many businessmen out there that run their business the old
fashion way, ie. non electronic technological kind of way. A few might have already adopted
computer system in managing their restaurant but still many will be reluctant to try new stuff
due to limited understanding of the new technology.
Thirdly, there are limited access that the current pervasive computing might not be
able to meet up to the demanding requirement of certain restaurants.

Why it is classified as pervasive computing?
The idea that technology is moving beyond the personal computer to everyday
devices with embedded technology and connectivity as computing devices become
progressively smaller and more powerful. Pervasive computing also called ubiquitous
computing; is basically the result of computer technology advancing at exponential speeds
leading to what is known today as a trend toward all man-made and some natural products
having hardware and software.
In brief, ubiquitous computing integrates computation into the environment, rather
than having computers, which are distinct objects. Other terms for ubiquitous computing
include pervasive computing, of which is known as calm technology. Promoters of this idea
hope that embedding computation into the environment and everyday objects would enable
people to interact with information-processing devices more naturally and casually than they
currently do, and in whatever location or circumstance they find themselves.
Pervasive computing is the next generation computing environments with information
& communication technology everywhere, for everyone, at all times. Information and
communication technology will be an integrated part of our environments: from toys, milk
cartons and desktops to cars, factories and whole city areas - with integrated processors,
sensors, and actuators connected via high-speed networks and combined with new
visualization devices ranging from projections directly into the eye to large panorama
displays.
In short, pervasive computing goes beyond the realm of personal computers: it is the
idea that almost any device, from clothing to tools to appliances to cars to homes to the
human body to your coffee mug, can be imbedded with chips to connect the device to an
infinite network of other devices. The goal of pervasive computing, which combines current
network technologies with wireless computing, voice recognition, Internet capability and
artificial intelligence, is to create an environment where the connectivity of devices is
embedded in such a way that the connectivity is unobtrusive and always available.