E-Commerce and Mobile E-Commerce in Software

Encoding PDF-417 2d barcode in Software E-Commerce and Mobile E-Commerce

Roaming (supporting calls to and from visiting subscribers) Authentication Authentication is the process of user identity confirmation Identity confirmation can involve checking handset/terminal device identity by interpreting secret keys/data messages If the data keys/data messages have been altered or do not show a specific format, the call will not be completed Validation Validation is often confused with authentication Authentication essentially certifies the user as a either real or fake and either good or bad Validation certifies the permission to complete the call For example, a user calls another party using a mobile handset The carrier certifies that the handset is the real one and is not a clone being used by an unauthorized person After the handset has been given the thumbs up, the carrier checks if the call is allowed under the user s billing plan This next step is validation (the final green light to complete the call) Handoff Handoff is the process of reassigning subscriber handsets to specific radio channels as the handsets move from cell site to cell site Path minimization (efficient routing of a mobile call) Path minimization is the process of the efficient fixed network (the non-wireless portion of the call) routing of wireless call tables in the wireless carrier switches

Figures 6-7 and 6-8 illustrate the concept of mobility The reader should understand that unlike wired computers, mobile handsets should be viewed as moving IP addresses More information can be found on wireless in Telecommunications Internetworking: Delivering Services across the Networks Mobility comes in two types: personal mobility and terminal mobility Personal mobility is defined as the subscriber s (user s) ability to make and receive calls regardless of location and the type of terminal equipment the call is being made from or to Personal mobility supports independence from specific terminal devices and locations At this time, most users of

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FIGURE 6-7

FIGURE 6-8

telecommunications services are tied to a specific handset or fixed termination point (for example, termination at a home or business) Personal mobility requires the use of personal numbers or some other form of personal identification (for example, smart cards) to identify the user Terminal mobility is defined as the subscriber s (user s) ability to make and receive calls regardless of location Terminal mobility infers that the network will authenticate and validate the terminal and not the person (user) Figure 6-9 illustrates the concept of personal and terminal mobility Mobility adds a unique dimension to the Internet The Internet must somehow find the user The user can be anywhere The visited network needs to communicate the user s location to the home system so that the home system knows how to route calls to the user In the case of the wireless Internet, the network needs to be able to find the user as well The IP has no parameters to support this attribute WAP and imode are designed to support mobility IPv4 and IPv6 do not support mobility In order for WWW IP networks to communi-

Personal Mobility - Personal numbers or ID numbers Calls delivered to the person Terminal Mobility - Calls directed to devices with unique numbers Calls delivered to the device

FIGURE 6-9

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cate with WAP or i-mode networks, the mobile characteristics of the user must be accounted for In all likelihood, the mobility information will be managed by the wireless carrier s network Operating basics of a wireless carrier can be found in my book, Telecommunications Internetworking: Delivering Services across the Networks M-COMMERCE TECHNICAL ISSUES The following list includes some of the technical issues surrounding m-commerce that have been identified up to this point:

Handset display screen s limited small size Mono-color display screens M-commerce wannabees should be educated on the nuances of mobility User interface Voice commands and prompts are supported Human factors engineering will find this a challenge because if wireless Internet is going to rise above and beyond movie listings, concierge services, and stock reports, an easier way of browsing the Web must be found

These technical issues concern form, not signaling Remember that the user s focus is usability and not the nuances of technology These issues are not minor issues, but are in fact potential show stoppers if they are not properly addressed See Figure 6-10 for an illustration of the aforementioned points The form factor issue has two views One view, called the anti-wireless Internet view, is that the handset is used for direct communication with other people Furthermore, voice navigation through a series of menus is difficult on a regular wireline telephone; making a wireless user do it for Web-based services will be no different This view also purports that the desktop and laptop computers lend themselves to the network effect of the Internet In other words, one can view multiple