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In this issue:

* Taking Stock after 11 September 
* Powering Portable Devices
* Evaluating Prospects for Application Service Providers
* Beefing Up Security through Fingerprint Systems
* Providing Internet Access for All
* Taking Medical Tests to Patients
* Designing Services for People on the Move
* Detecting Biological and Chemical Agents
* Managing Complex Computer Systems
* Setting the U.S. R&D Agenda
* Seeking the Truth about Web Services
* Using Body Heat to Power Batteries


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Taking Stock after 11 September 

In the wake of the terrorist attacks of 11 September, some
companies are adopting a bunker mentality, seeking to protect 
cash and capital at all costs. However, smart companies will 
take the time and effort to plot a new course of judicious and
appropriate innovation, preparing themselves to hit the ground 
running when the currently precarious business environment 
improves. (Scan No. 2148: The Business World after 11 September 2001)
http://www.sric-bi.com/BIP/Bulletin/B301.shtml#scan


Powering Portable Devices

Battery development is not keeping pace with the increased
power demands of portable devices, nor is it far enough along to 
handle big increases in voice and data traffic. Until battery 
technology catches up with semiconductor developments, the key 
will be to manage power effectively, both within the batteries 
themselves and within devices. (Batteries for Portable 
Electronics Applications)
http://www.sric-bi.com/BIP/Bulletin/B301.shtml#2354


Evaluating Prospects for Application Service Providers

In the current technology slump, many upstart application
service providers will run out of funds before they can 
establish viable business models. However, larger Internet 
protocol and voice-network providers will have the resources 
and market clout to persuade enterprise and small-business 
customers to sign up for hosted applications rather than 
purchase packaged software. (Application Service Providers)
http://www.sric-bi.com/DF/summaries/ASP1101.shtml


Beefing Up Security through Fingerprint Systems

Fingerprint-based biometric systems reduce the need for passwords 
and user names, increasing security and allowing faster login. 
Moreover, the technology for fingerprint-based identification is 
ready for implementation, and the necessary hardware and software 
infrastructure is becoming affordable. For some companies, combining 
biometric approaches with other security measure will be the best 
strategy. (Security at the Tip of a Finger)
http://www.sric-bi.com/BIP/Bulletin/B301.shtml#2355


Providing Internet Access for All

Companies that design Internet applications often consider 
disabled consumers to be a niche market that is difficult to 
serve cost-effectively. However, products for people with 
disabilities often translate into superior products for the 
general market and vice versa. The two markets can learn from 
each other. (Lessons from Improved Internet Access for the Disabled) 
http://www.sric-bi.com/BIP/Bulletin/B301.shtml#2356


Taking Medical Tests to Patients

Point-of-care testing (POCT) in doctors' offices, at
hospital bedsides, and in patients' homes could provide 
results in seconds or minutes, benefiting patients and 
cutting medical costs. Adoption of wireless communication 
standards and integrated information-management solutions 
could go a long way to move POCT devices beyond hospitals
and into clinics and homes. (Point-of-Care Testing: 
Challenges and Opportunities)
http://www.sric-bi.com/BIP/Bulletin/B301.shtml#2353


Designing Services for People on the Move

The cellular industry has gradually become aware that the
cell phone can be more than an information and entertainment 
resource. Its portability opens the door to a range of 
location-based services. However, companies need to be wise
about their service choices, tailoring services to consumers' 
real-world needs. (Location-Based Services)
http://www.sric-bi.com/DF/summaries/LocationBasedSvcs1101.shtml


Detecting Biological and Chemical Agents

No single bioanalytic detection method yet meets all the
requirements for rapid, accurate detection of agents of biological 
or chemical warfare. However, companies and researchers 
continue to report advances in nucleic acid and immuno-based
technologies for detecting  pathogenic bacteria and viruses. 
(November 2001 Biosensors Viewpoints)
http://www.sric-bi.com/Explorer/BS.shtml


Managing Complex Computer Systems

IBM, once a proponent of single-vendor standardization, has
taken a hard look at the growing complexity of today's computer 
systems and decided to make a formal push toward autonomic 
computing systems. These self-organizing and self-configuring 
systems will help manage application programs that conflict with 
each other and with operating systems. (November 2001 
High-Performance Computing Viewpoints)
http://www.sric-bi.com/Explorer/HPC.shtml


Setting the U.S. R&D Agenda

Though federal allocation of R&D money is somewhat haphazard
in the United States, the government's willingness to invest 
in risky or basic research has contributed to the country's 
current leadership in the global economy. A combination of
top-down goal setting and bottom-up generation of research 
proposals helps explain this success. (Setting the Agenda for 
U.S. R&D Funding)
http://www.sric-bi.com/BIP/Bulletin/B301.shtml#2357


Seeking the Truth about Web Services

The next wave of computing may well be Web services that
allow integration and data sharing within and between 
enterprises. However, no one has yet verified vendors' 
claims that sharing data through Extensible Markup Language 
is easier, faster, less expensive, and more secure than 
doing so through existing database-to-database techniques.
(Web Services)
http://www.sric-bi.com/DF/summaries/WebServices1201.shtml


Using Body Heat to Power Batteries

A Florida company has developed a wafer-thin miniature
battery that converts body heat into electric power. The 
ceramic-based 1.5-volt battery contains no chemicals and 
generates sufficient electric power to run embedded or 
attachable medical devices and wristwatches. A 3-volt 
battery is in the works as well. (November 2001
Portable Batteries Viewpoints)
http://www.sric-bi.com/Explorer/PB.shtml


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Copyright 2002 by SRI Consulting Business Intelligenc.