The Mobile Conference Information System: Unwiring Academic Conferences with Wireless Mobile Computing

Communications of the Association for Information Systems Volume 9 Article 11 September 2002 The Mobile Conference Information System: Unwiring Academic Conferences with Wireless Mobile Computing Leonard M. Jessup Washington State University, Blake Ives University of Houston, Chitu Okoli Lousiana State University, Joseph S. Valacich Washington State University, Follow this and additional works at: https://aisel.aisnet.org/cais Recommended Citation Jessup, Leonard M.; Ives, Blake; Okoli, Chitu; and Valacich, Joseph S. (2002) "The Mobile Conference Information System: Unwiring Academic Conferences with Wireless Mobile Computing," Communications of the Association for Information Systems: Vol. 9 , Article 11. DOI: 10.17705/1CAIS.00911 Available at: https://aisel.aisnet.org/cais/vol9/iss1/11 This material is brought to you by the AIS Journals at AIS Electronic Library (AISeL). It has been accepted for inclusion in Communications of the Association for Information Systems by an authorized administrator of AIS Electronic Library (AISeL). For more information, please contact . Communications of the Association for Information Systems (Volume 9, 2002) 180-206 180 THE MOBILE CONFERENCE INFORMATION SYSTEM: UNWIRING ACADEMIC CONFERENCES WITH WIRELESS MOBILE COMPUTING CHITU OKOLI Information Systems and Decision Sciences Department Louisiana State University BLAKE IVES Information Systems Research Center University of Houston LEONARD M. JESSUP School of Accounting, Information Systems, and Business Law Washington State University JOSEPH S. VALACICH School of Accounting, Information Systems, and Business Law Washington State University ABSTRACT Wireless mobile computing promises to usher in the next major paradigm in personal computing. Handheld computers in particular are truly portable and they are becoming increasingly capable of meeting most users’ computing needs. In this paper we outline a vision for deploying wireless mobile computing technology within the realm of professional conferences by creating a Mobile Conference Information System (MCIS). With detailed descriptions of applications and hypothetical usage scenarios, we describe how the system can be used to access conference information, to network people, and enhance common conference services. We also describe several constraints, limitations, and challenges with this concept, and we suggest how these problems can be overcome. In this paper we consolidate many current applications of wireless networked computing into one comprehensive system; we highlight several of the complexities and challenges that apply to any wirelessly mobile information system; and we offer a vision for a valuable platform for future research on the use of mobile technologies. The MCIS will significantly change how conferences are managed and enhance the experiences of the attendees. Keywords: handheld computers, mobile computing, wireless networking, conferences I. INTRODUCTION Ever since the first viable handheld computers emerged on the consumer market [Rudich, 1998], mobile computing grew quickly in scope and popularity, and now promises to The Mobile Conference Information System: Unwiring Academic Conferences With Wireless Mobile Computing by C. Okoli, B. Ives, L.M. Jessup, and J.S. Valacich Communications of the Association for Information Systems (Volume 9, 2002) 180-206 181 usher in the next major paradigm in personal computing [Barnes, 2001, Dickson, 1999]. While laptop computers still are popular mobile computing devices, their cost, complexity, and hardware limitations kept them from breaking into new consumer markets. Most laptop users employ them as portable auxiliaries to duplicate the functionality of their primary computer at work or at home. Because of hardware limitations, laptops are not able to fully replace desktops for users who want full functionality, such as accessible printing and Internet access. Furthermore, because of their relatively high cost, those users who would otherwise be satisfied with the laptops’ limitations find more value in buying desktop computers. Moreover, although they are portable, laptops are too large to carry around conveniently, and they are inconvenient to use on planes, in airports, or at conferences [e.g., Goldman Sachs, 2001, Schwartz, 2001]. Handheld computers, by contrast, provide consumers with true portability and convenience, at relatively low cost. While tiny screens, uncomfortable input options, and other hardware limitations are still problems [Buyukkokten, 2000, Jones, 1999, Varshney, 1999, Woodward, 1994], the technology is rapidly improving. Overall, for many users who have adopted handheld computers, the convenience of a basic computer handy enough to hold in their palm more than compensates for handhelds’ limitations [Dickson, 1999]. The challenge for information system designers and managers is to take advantage of the convenience of handhelds in transforming the way people work and play [Bahl et al., 2001]. Handhelds potentially: • increase the effectiveness of existing user applications; • create new applications of computer technology that were previously impractical because the computers are too bulky to carry around conveniently. For example, people were able to send e-mail messages at any time, but receiving messages required them to be in front of a computer. Laptop users had to pull out their computers, power them up, and connect them to a phone or Ethernet cable. Today, a wirelessly networked handheld device can be left activated in a user’s pocket, and a gentle notification sound or silent vibration can tell them they received mail. In a matter of seconds a user can pull out the handheld, tap a single icon, and access e-mail [Harney, 1997, Harvey, 2000, Rudich, 1998]. PROS AND CONS OF WIRELESS MOBILE COMPUTING Although the technology is still emerging, wireless computing using mobile computers— handheld devices in particular—holds much promise in enhancing computer applications. A number of noteworthy limitations still exist but many of can be expected to mitigate as the technology matures. The potential for handheld wireless computing is beginning to approach the vision of Robert Johansen [1991] when he forecasted “any time/any place” collaboration. Indeed, much of the evolution and potential of wireless mobile computing sits atop the prior group collaboration literature [e.g., Dennis et al., 2001, DeSanctis and Gallupe, 1987, Johansen, 1988, Nunamaker et al., 1991]. We are finally at the advent of this vision. Without a doubt, the greatest advantage of wireless mobile computing is its convenience. Because handheld devices are small enough to fit in a pocket or purse, they are truly portable and can be carried anywhere a user might want to use computer applications. Through wireless networking, handheld computers are freed from the restriction of wires, which limit where they could be used to their full benefit. This freedom makes them val (...truncated)