 |
|
The Bluetooth™ wireless office of tomorrow
by Paul Østergaard, Chairman and CEO, Norwood Systems
Bluetooth was first developed in 1994 by researchers looking to connect cell phones. Its commercial development, however did not really begin to take shape until the Bluetooth Special Interest Group (Bluetooth SIG) was established by Ericcson and many major technology players. With such strong backing, one would assume that Bluetooth would become ubiquitous especially when one considers that Forrester Research predicts that more than 200 million W-LAN and Bluetooth-capable devices will be used by 2006 with Bluetooth outnumbering W-LAN devices by 10 times by 2001. However, it is only now, over three years after the SIG was established that truly valuable Bluetooth business applications are being brought to market. So what does the future hold: with other wireless technologies on offer, can Bluetooth make its mark in the networking environment?
|
With ubiquitous connectivity, businesses can increase contactability, productivity and efficiency as well as reducing infrastructure costs |
| |
Bluetooth in the office environment
The office is a key growth area for Bluetooth. Productivity is lost when employees are tied to their desks. With ubiquitous connectivity, businesses can increase contactability, productivity and efficiency as well as reducing infrastructure costs. Additionally research shows that 20-30 per cent of mobile phone calls are made in the office. Bluetooth can be used to direct calls to landlines, cutting this expense immediately. This works effectively in organisations where employees are constantly on the move within the office.
Fig 1 - Example of typical infrastructure architecture that will provide seamless voice and data connectivity to the enterprise
Bluetooth: Leader or Follower?
Wireless office networking seems compelling, but many commentators are suggesting that Wireless LAN or DECT are more suitable than Bluetooth. Wireless LAN and Bluetooth are often used as interchangeable terms, but their origins and purposes are different. Therefore, one should examine not how these standards compete, but how they work together.
|
What is likely to happen is that both standards will be used concurrently: Wireless LAN for laptops and Bluetooth for portable devices |
|
|
Bluetooth differs by using very low levels of power whereas Wireless LAN is power heavy and unsuitable for connecting battery powered devices, so in the Personal Area Networking, arena, Bluetooth is the obvious winner. Additionally it is predicted that the cost of Bluetooth chips will fall to $5 by the end of 2002, making Bluetooth the cheaper option. However, Wireless LAN offers a higher speed connection and a wider range of up to 300 feet. Nevertheless, whilst bandwidth may be an issue today, Bluetooth is developing support for 2 Mb/s and 10 Mb/s. What is likely to happen is that both standards will be used concurrently: Wireless LAN for laptops and Bluetooth for portable devices. In a Forrester Research report Lars Goddell stated: "The two technologies won't compete. They'll play different roles, go into different devices and arrive at different times."
Finally: security
Bluetooth is more secure than analogue technology and many mobile systems since it is digital, With Wireless LAN there have been cases of eavesdropping from outside offices. This is much more difficult with Bluetooth because of the security provisions and because of its shorter transmission range.
Another contender is DECT (Digital Enhanced Cordless Telecommunications). DECT has some heavyweight industry support, however, it requires a specific handset so end-users would have to carry a GSM and a DECT phone. On the data side, DECT is hampered by the fact that the PBX/DECT infrastructure is usually run separately to the corporate LAN. Additionally DECT relies on cabling - Bluetooth does not, so Bluetooth offers vast cost savings. DECT therefore is unlikely to make the crossover to data and the commercial environment.
In summary, one has to conclude that Bluetooth is central to the development of wireless office networking, especially as its low power usage makes it ideal for connecting battery-reliant devices to the office network. With workers already requiring mobility and contactability, I believe that Bluetooth will become ubiquitous in offices around the world.
|
|
