• You need to distribute or receive time sensitive, customized, and/or dynamic information to your employees, partners, or customers;

• Your employees or customers are likely already own or can be given PDAs for the purpose of using a corporate application;

• Your employees or customers are mobile, but often mobile within defined areas;

• The precise time that information is exchanged is important;

• Your employees or customers need to receive or send information when they are away from their PCs, or they don't use PCs at all in their work.

How does it work?
Once people understand the benefit of infrared, the next question I get is: How does it all work? Bluefish Wireless (at http://www.bluefishwireless.com) is one of the companies providing a communication solution for enterprises and institutions that utilize infrared as a vital part of data exchange. Other companies that offer similar solutions but whose primary focus is the consumer market are AdAlive, Streetbeam, and WideRay. As you can see in Figure A, Bluefish access points communicate with end-users via infrared (there is also a Bluetooth version for future devices). The hardware components fit in a 7"x7" box that's battery operated and can be placed pretty much anywhere.

FIGURE A

Bluefish access points communicate with end-users via infrared. Click picture for a larger image.

Access points can communicate with back-end systems in a variety of methods. If the environment is able to host an on-location server with a designated network connection, then the access point can communicate with that server--either by 802.11, proprietary 900MHz RF, or a direct cable. The server acts as a conduit to send and receive data. Updates are generated from one central location and can be sent to up to 200 access points within range. The range depends upon which form of wireless connectivity you use. For example, a system using 900MHz RF can cover up to two square miles. An 802.11 network provides significantly shorter range but higher data transfer rates.

Data is cached in the access point for quick dissemination to the handheld. Uploaded data is sent to the server to be relayed to your company network. In the case where there's no secure place to host a server, the access points can communicate via a two-way paging system. The user only sees and interacts with the access points. Once the hardware is installed, besides routine light maintenance, you primarily interact with an administrative site to update content and applications.

While there will always be people who can not exist without the latest device in their pocket, they are a minority. What infrared data exchange enables that no other wireless platform can is a means to communicate to all devices--old and new. Infrared is a low-cost, effective, and secure means through which data can be exchanged with your employees. And public access points enable location-based information to be distributed to your customers. So, when you sit down to make the wireless decision and research 802.11, Bluetooth, and other future solutions, remember to keep infrared on the list. Its flexibility may surprise you.

James Fisher is founder and CEO of Bluefish Wireless and has led the design, architecture and strategic positioning of the Bluefish concept since its inception. A skilled entrepreneur, James brings more than 15 years of experience in product design and development to the helm of Bluefish. Prior to his current position, he worked at Australia's largest electronics company, AWA Ltd., and founded and operated two successful companies.