ITC594 Developer's Blog: Workshop 5 - IT INFRASTRUCTURE MANAGER’S THREAD

PART A

1.
a. Wiki pedia (2008) defines Short Message Service (SMS) as "a communication service standardized in the GSM mobile communication system, using standardized communications protocols allowing the interchange of short text messages between mobile telephone devices." SMS was originally defined only as part of the GSM standards in 1985 as a means of sending messages of up to 160 characters (including spaces), to and from GSM mobile handsets. However since then, support for the service has expanded to include alternative mobile standards such as ANSI CDMA networks and Digital AMPS, as well as satellite and landline networks.

that means that to support just the SMS services for the Online Taxi Booking System (OTBS) any kind of modern mobile phone devices will be capable of supporting that feature.

Reference:

Wikipedia. (2008). Short Message Service. Last accessed 26/05/2009 from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Short_Message_Service

b. However, for the OTBS to be able to support the full user experience by not only using SMS, but also Google Maps and GPS Taxi Tracking system is a little more different in terms of the device needed. But first we need to understand more on GPS and Google Maps.
according to Wikipedia (2009) Global Positioning System (GPS) is "The Global Positioning System (GPS) is the only fully functional Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS). The GPS uses a constellation of between 24 and 32 Medium Earth Orbit satellites that transmit precise microwave signals, that enable GPS receivers to determine their location, speed, direction, and time."
While Google Maps according to Wikipedia (2009) is "Google Maps (for a time named Google Local) is a web mapping service application and technology provided by Google, free (for non-commercial use), that powers many map-based services, including the Google Maps website, Google Ride Finder, Google Transit, and maps embedded on third-party websites via the Google Maps API. It offers street maps, a route planner for traveling by foot, bicycle, car, or public transport and an urban business locator for numerous countries around the world. It also can help find the location of businesses."

Now to support both of these feature, luckily for us On November 28, 2007, Google Maps for Mobile 2.0 was released. It introduced a GPS-like location service that does not require a GPS receiver. The "my location" feature works by utilizing the GPS location of the mobile device, if it is available. This information is supplemented by the software determining the nearest cell site. The software then looks up the location of the cell site using a database of known cell sites. The software plots the streets in blue that are available with a yellow icon and a green circle around the estimated range of the cell site based on the transmitter's rated power (among other variables). The estimate is refined using the strength of the cell phone signal to estimate how close to the cell site the mobile device is.
As of December 15, 2008 (2008 -12-15), this service is available for the following platforms:
Android (HTC Dream)
iPhone OS (iPhone/iPod Touch)
Windows Mobile
Nokia/Symbian (S60 3rd edition only)
Symbian OS (UIQ v3)
BlackBerry
Phones with Java-Platform (MIDP 2.0 and up), for example the Sony Ericsson K800i Palm OS (Centro and newer).

Reference:

Wikipedia. (2009). Introduction to Global Positioning System. Last accessed 26/05/2009 from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Introduction_to_the_Global_Positioning_System.

Wikipedia. (2009). Google Maps. Last accessed 26/05/2009 from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Google_Maps.

2. For the OTBS stage 2 development which is the company Web 2.0 website we will need the following:

Hardware:
Server Computer: to be able to host the company website we will need a computer that has the specifications that will enable it to be a server. The specifications of the software that will be installed in the computer will be listed later.
Mobile Devices: to be able to support the full user experience of the OTBS we will need new mobile devices that will be able to support SMS service, GPS Taxi Tracking, and Google Maps. From all the mobile devices that we have listed above, we recommend the use of blackberry, the reason is that we think that blackberry is a more user friendly device.
Network:
SMS Gateway: SMS gateway is the term used to describe a service transforming messages to mobile network traffic from other media, or vice versa, allowing transmission or receipt of SMS messages with or without the use of a mobile phone. This will enable automatic SMS services from a computer to the taxi driver mobile devices.
Software:
Ruby: this will be the development language for the website.
Mongrel: this is the ruby web server application, this application will be able to host websites that is written in ruby.
Adobe Dreamweaver (formerly known as Macromedia Dreamweaver): this is web development application that will enable user to design websites easily. The latest version is version 10.0 or known as the Adobe Dreamweaver CS4. However, anything starting from the version 6.0 which is Macromedia Dreamweaver MX is usable.
MySQL: this is the database server that we will be using for the website. The reason why we choose MySQL is because it is an open language application therefore will reduce the expense compared to using SQL server for example.
Personnel:
Ruby Web Developer: we will need staff that will be able to program a website in ruby to be able to develop the website.
Web Designer: some of the time web developer will also be the web designer. However we think it is best to divide this responsibility to create a better and more interactive system.
Database manager: this will be the staff that will manage the integrity if the database.
Web Manager: after the website is up and running it will need someone to ensure that the contents is all up to date. That is the task for the Web Manager.

PART B

Services	Improvement on Customer Experience
Horizontal Scalability (ordering taxi via phone call or SMS, mobile Internet, desktop or laptop computer.	Improved accessibility, by having a choice of media to order a taxi, the customer will not have to rely solely on their telephone to get a taxi.
Service Oriented Features (SMS updates on location data, knowing the driver’s name before the ride, and being greeted by your name, etc)	Increased sense of security, the passenger will feel more secure by knowing the driver’s name beforehand. Lower anxiety level, waiting for your taxi can be frustrating especially when it is late, however, by knowing the taxi whereabouts the customer will feel better. Increased sense of familiarity, with service oriented feature, the taxi driver can know the passenger name beforehand and greet them. This will make the passenger feel that they are more appreciated.
Web 2.0 Customer Service Enabled	Reward System, when the user is rewarded for every time they use the companies service for a number of times, this will increase the customer loyalty.