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Laborotech have identified a solution to a business problem which is ideal for implementation as a wireless application, namely the provision of travel update information service to commuters. In a large transportation network, the status of various services is in a constant state off flux as unforeseen occurrences cause delays, changes and cancellations. However, the information required to describe these changes is small. Commuters need access to travel information updates regardless of their location and at their own convenience. Nomad is the ideal application to provide such a service. Nomad is a Java-based application which can run on a wide variety of platforms. It is designed to deal with volatile or short-duration data that requires frequent updating. The user interface is optimised to provide simple navigation and data display on the small screens typical of mobile devices. Nomad not only allows the commuter to store timetable information locally on a mobile phone but also enables them to request a real-time update for any service running between two stations thus informing them of any up to the minute delays and cancellations. Nomad is able to monitor current timetable information and notify the user if the locally stored timetable on their phone has been superseded, This means that up-to date information is accessible at all times independent of the users location.
A New Solution
A number of attempts have been made to provide a ubiquitous information service able to report service delays and disruptions to travellers in the form of call centres, WAP services, web sites and SMS services. However, the average commuter still accepts waiting for a delayed or cancelled service as part of everyday travel. Nomad offers a solution to the various deficiencies from which other travel information services suffer.
At first sight, the provision of a call centre appears attractive. Such a service is easy to charge for and most people have access to a telephone. However, the mechanics of identifying a given service are difficult and expensive to solve, requiring an extensive menu system and human operators. During busy commuter periods such services can be swamped by call volume. Internet-based services also have an obvious limitation in that the commuter must have access to a PC or wireless laptop, they require prior registration and navigation systems are either very simplified or overly designed multi-click systems which have not really captured the imagination of the travelling public.
Despite initial excitement, it has also become apparent that WAP enabled applications on mobile devices have failed to meet expectations. WAP attempts to graft HTML technology and techniques with complex navigational systems more suited to PCs than devices with small screens and awkward input mechanisms. Moreover, to use WAP, a mobile device must obtaina network connection before data can be displayed and subsequent usage requires that the connection be maintained. Without a connection, the user receives nothing. SMS represents a better match with the capabilities of wireless mobile devices than WAP although it has other problems; the users reliance on the provider to send information, connection reliability and its inability to request information for alternative routing should a problem arise mean that it has a very limited benefit.
Nomad uses Java-based J2ME technology which is a more practical model for delivery to mobile devices than its predecessors. J2ME allows Laborotech to configure the user interface to optimise usability fro small-screened mobile devices. Nomad can store information locally which means that users are able to determine timetable information without a network connection, Also, when a real-time update is requested Nomad uses a cache/update model which means that retrieved information will not be lost even when a network connection is broken. Nomad also allows users to request information updates to inform them of up-to-date delays and cancellations. All at their own convenience.
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