SAC Research

The TechWatch was originally the responsibility of PICT and initial progress was encouraging with the development of an internet based resource where SMEs could access information about issues about a wide range of both new technologies and new implementations of existing technologies including :

• SMS Delivery Mechanisms
• Bluetooth Communications Systems
• Voice over Internet Protocol (VOIP)
• ShortCode Messaging
• Dublin Core Meta-Data Initiative

This interactive website enabled SMEs to submit queries which would be responded to with directions to additional advice.  However PICTs withdrawal caused significant problems in implementing TechWatch transnationally as well as nationally. The specific problems related to the fact that despite repeated requests from the lead partner, SAC, and assurances by the PICT project manager, the work completed by PICT on TechWatch to their point of dissolution was not forthcoming.  This meant that both the framework and content of the TechWatch to-date was lost, meaning that a key component of the project was dealt a considerable blow.  The lead partner, SAC undertook to undertake a more limited version off the TechWatch but due to budget and technical problems caused by PICT’s withdrawal the actual TechWatch activities were not fully implemented as anticipated from the outset

Specifically, there has been a plethora of tech-watch websites spawned within the life of the RuBIES project.  Utilising fact sheets produced and mounted on these many sites a database of technology opportunities, the pitfalls and implementation issues has been gathered and summarised here. Some of the topics and issues we have been examining here include:

• Personal Digital Assistants
• Voice over Internet Protocol
• News Aggregators
• Electronic Payment Technologies
• SMS delivery methods
• GPRS/GSM
• Wireless / satellite broadband
• Broadband
• Speech Recognition
• Video Streaming
• Internet Security
• Peer-to-Peer
• Virtual Learning Environments

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