From personal area networks to ubiquitous computing: Preparing for a paradigm shift in the workplace

The integration of different mobile communications technologies is providing a new capability, personal area networking (PAN) that considers different needs for time-and space-related information and has the potential to significantly change the way we work. Mobile telephony combining satellite and terrestrial cellular systems has already transformed the way people work by allowing "anytime, anywhere" telephone calling and text messaging. However, wireless data has not yet met the "anytime, anywhere" criteria due to technical problems and identifying and understanding the business needs of sophisticated mobile customers. This conceptual paper explores the opportunities and challenges of planning and deploying this emerging technology, PANs, and, eventually, a fully ubiquitous computing network, from two perspectives: The internal management of information technology (IT) within the enterprise and the mobile telecommunications service provider. The early adopter employee demands or "pulls" emerging technology capabilities from the IT organization while the mobile telecommunications service providers markets or "pushes" emerging technology capabilities on the enterprise IT organization. The IT manager must balance these two perspectives. This research is in the early stages of determining how the IT manager should begin the planning and implementation of PANs. After an introduction on the different types of technologies that support the 'anytime-anywhere' paradigm, this paper discusses how mobile telecom service providers identify their customers' needs and the products and services they will need to offer to meet those needs. Future research involves identifying which changes corporate IT organizations as well as medium-sized and small businesses will need to prepare, deploy, and then manage the emerging mobile business PANs applications for an "anytime, anywhere" work environment?