Feature

Mobile computing is the discipline for creating an information management platform free from spatial and temporal constraints. Freedom from these constraints allows users to access and process desired information from anywhere in space and time. The state of the user, static or mobile, does not affect the information management capability of the mobile platform. A user can use centrally located information and/or application software through the application of small, portable, wireless computing and communication devices while traveling in air, at sea, on road or on foot. Thus, the discipline creates an illusion that the desired data and sufficient processing power are available on the spot, when in reality they may be located far away.

Wireless is the ultimate form of real time mobile computing. A wireless system allows the user to work in or outside the office and connect to the internal system using the public cell phone network (such as GSM), an internal wireless local area network (Wi-Fi), a wireless metropolitan area networks (WiMAX), or satellite communications. A casual home user may have a wireless personal area network (Bluetooth or wireless sensors) to link up all his wireless communication enabled devices and gadgets. In such a system, the user may sometimes be connected (when within range of the wireless communication systems) and sometimes not.

The exploding growth of ubiquitous cellular telephony leads to the coming of age of mobile computing. It is estimated that by the end of 2007, GSM service will have blanketed 80% of the planet. Two billion people had access to mobile phones in 2006, and the number is growing at the rate of 1 million a day, and is expected to reach 4 billion by 2010. Bangladesh has 20 million mobile subscribers now, and the figure is expected to reach 50 million by 2009. Equally important is the increase in bandwidth of these wireless technologies from a paltry 1 kbps (slower than the dial-up telephone modem) to 10 Mbps, bringing broadband access to rural or metropolitan areas without having to lay cables, thereby overcoming the last mile dilemma. WiMAX promises a massive bandwidth of 70 Mbps!

Coupled with these developments is the proliferation of portable, sophisticated yet affordable mobile computing devices such as notebook PCs, tablet PCs, smart phones, PDAs, and a diverse range of Bluetooth personal communication devices, putting them within reach of the masses. E.g. a recycled mobile phone goes for as low as $30, a PDA for $200, and a notebook for $400.

Convergence of the above factors leads to the possibility of a truly mobile society where we can access information and process data from anywhere, at anytime, and for almost any purpose.

What Is Driving The Move To True Mobility?

The modern workforce demands flexibility and needs to work smarter. More work is actually done away from the office desk. Wherever we are, we must communicate to stay ahead of the game. Our sources of information are vital to our daily commercial tasks as well as to our personal lives. The ability to stay informed is what gives us the competitive edge. Remote access to, and wireless communication with, the workplace is becoming an ever-increasing priority in many organisations.

Mobile computing can be a powerful tool with which to reengineer business processes. Primary benefits of such reengineering include reduced paper handling, reduced travel, improved data accuracy and timeliness, and reduced need for large central office facilities. For example, a wireless mobile field force representative can send back orders using wireless form on the fly, or receive the information from the office while on the move. Such wireless automation closes the information gap between the service organization and the field force representative by augmenting every component of the field service cycle, from initiation to closure of a service request. This leads to significant business benefits, such as cost reduction and improved customer satisfaction.

Efficiency and productivity are important motivations for moving towards mobile computing. A survey conducted by RIM, creator of the iconic Blackberry, shows that remote access to email saves the worker a substantial 53 minutes per day. A similar survey by Cisco, the Internet instrument maker, reveals that workers with mobile LAN access could save an average of up to 8 hours per week compared to those users restricted to fixed access.

With so many people having at least a mobile phone, mobile applications are rapidly emerging. In Bangladesh, telcos such as Aktel and Banglalink offer some forms of mobile banking and information services.

At the moment though, these applications are rather limited and tied to the SMS interface.

Japan's NTT DoCoMo's iMode, which is at the forefront of application innovations, has adopted wireless phones as a mobile wallet. On the other hand, Canadian company RIM's Blackberry, another pioneer, offers clinically-relevant information, blogs, maps, live video surveillance, and wireless form services to capture on-site sales.

Medical applications are currently in place at several large medical facilities in Korea and the UK. One such application is data entry using handheld PCs and PDAs, which have increased accuracy and completeness of data. In addition, such devices can be used unobtrusively where notebook PCs would be impractical. Wireless communication is particularly useful because medical personnel are constantly on the move. While mobile computing itself is not necessarily web-related, like SMS and information and email services, it is heading towards that direction. This impetus has been boosted by the Mobile Web Initiative (MWI) spearheaded by W3C, the governing body of the Internet. The goal of the MWI is to make web access from a mobile device as simple, easy, and convenient as web access from a desktop device, thereby bridging the proverbial digital divide.

The Opportunities and the Mobile Computing Program

As the technology for integrating computer and communication systems matures, there will be greater emphasis on developing appropriate services and applications. The success of the next generation of mobile systems will depend largely on the ability of the industry and academia to develop and provide appropriate applications to users of the new mobile and wireless world.

There is great potential in offering cost-effective mobile computing solutions in Bangladesh, serving both the urban and rural communities. However, it is more difficult to develop appealing value-added services based on SMS interfaces. Rich, interactive applications and services will drive the next major phase of mobile industry growth. Easy-to-use interfaces will allow extremely powerful data services to be delivered to the handset user.

To support universal access and to create innovative services, specialists are required, specifically those with knowledge in network management, integration of wireless and wired networks, system support for mobility, user interfaces appropriate for small handheld portable devices. There is a great shortage of human resources in these fields.

Unfortunately, the Computer Science curricula of universities still focus on traditional desktop programming and system development. At such a critical point in the evolution of computing technology in Bangladesh, there is a need to equip students with the skills to develop mobile phone applications.

It is against this backdrop that Perdana College, Dhaka, in collaboration with University College Sedaya International, Malaysia, is launching a B.Sc. (Hons) Mobile Computing program for the very first time in Bangladesh. Students can pursue this program at local cost in Bangladesh, and will only need to complete the final component of the program at UCSI, Malaysia. Airfare to and accommodation in Malaysia will be provided to students free of charge.

The course is structured so that within the first two levels of the program, students will have explored the principal themes of Computer Science: software development, human-computer interaction, networks, wireless communications, and databases. A substantial amount of time will then be devoted to specific skills required for designing, developing, and deploying specialist mobile applications and designing suitable network architectures. These subjects are combined with the development of business and analytical skills required for the appropriate application of mobile technologies to specific business contexts. This course is compatible with similar programs offered by universities in the United Kingdom.

An integral feature of the program requires all students to undertake two months of industrial placement at the end of each academic year. This will provide them with essential workplace skills that can greatly enhance their industry knowledge and career prospects.

Mobile computing graduates can find employment as:

· Project engineers and system architects of mobile internet and enterprise 'e-systems';

· Mobile edutainment developers (games development, mobile learning);

· Network and distributed systems specialists;

· Mobile computing middleware developers;

· Mobile device and smartphone application engineers;

· Web and m-Commerce user interface developers;

· Network security consultants;

· Mobile business application developers

· User-support managers in networked organizations;

· Information analysts in decentralised businesses.

Since 1995, Perdana College has trained numerous Computer Science graduates. One such student is Md. Ashiqur Rahman. Ashiqur studied for 2 years at Perdana College before transferring to Acadia University, Canada, in January 2006, where he is currently in his Final Year. He will be doing his internship with IBM Canada from May 2007 under the mentorship of Greg Adams, one of the nine distinguished engineers at IBM, Canada. He has published eight refereed research papers in the field of wireless sensory network in international journals and IEEE conferences.