Customer Reviews

Wireless, Inc.

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Craig does a great job in taking a complex web of ideas and making it understadnable for the layperson. If you are in need of undertanding how wireless will effect you and your company. If you are looking for methodologies for responding to this opportuinity, you should read this book.

Its quite obvious that the book was written during the dot com boom years, where money was abundant, and the outlook, ridiculously optimistic. Settle throws numbers like a child throws tantrums, the book is strewn wif figures which are both purile and outlandish... with high hopes of being able to recoup your investment within the month.

The book starts off explaining abt the available wireless technology out there. Then proceeds to expound on how wireless technology can save cost, across every single facet of your (thats the extra star for the review, else I'll give it a 1) business. But guess what, after all the talk on cost savings, surprise, surprise, there's a chapter on what - COST SAVINGS.

If you are a wireless technopreneur who is brain dead in finding ways to sell wireless technology and use them, maybe you can give this book a try. However, your target market will probably be big 5 companies with idle cash lying around to optimize their business and save more cost by going wireless, provided, naturally that they put up that initial investment for de 'change' (which oh yeah, can be earned back almost overnight).

Or if you're a brain dead CTO to a huge conglemerate that needs ideas on how to use wireless technology (to impress your CEO) then by all means go ahead, buy this book. IMHO, going wireless or not doesnt matter, its not the issue here. The issue is that this book is just an old rehash on how 'Technology A' can save/gain u a gazillion dollars if you do implement it. But I have to give credit to the author, he does warn the audience with questions on whether his 'proposed' solutions are prudent or not. Im all for going wireless, its just that u cant help but to feel patronized by Settles, not only by the obviousness of his writing, but the outlandish case scenarios that he brings forth.

Craig Settles is a purveyor (the word purveyor appears so many times it should have been edited out) of technology, so be warned, and he probably already made his money by endorsing AvantGo, BlueBerry and Richocet networks throughout the WHOLE book that it gets tiresome, oh sure, there are some quotes on other businesses out there, probably as an after thought.

To misquote Settles, at 20.97, if 1000 executives were to buy this book, it would cost 20,970 dollars. However, if you put that money in a bank at 2% interest for the next 5 years, oh my you would have made, 24,00xx... erm.. and gained... erm... nevermind, it doesnt matter. Just like the book.

Wireless, Inc. is a clear and rational introduction to the wireless world, and one that should find an audience among technologists and generalists alike. It focuses on companies who have wrestled with these constantly evolving technologies and achieved real results. If you're looking for hype about the next "revolution," look elsewhere. If you're looking for useful advice and practical insight into the power and potential of wireless technology, look no further. I found the section on strategic options especially useful, primarily because the author pays closer attention to the fundamentals of business than he does to tracking the latest gizmo fads. This book is easily the best I've found yet on using wireless and mobile technologies to impact the entire enterprise.

This is a terrific book for anyone who is considering an effort to "mobilize" their workforce. Lots of great how-to advice on on wireless data can deliver real, quantifiable ROI for any corporation. My company followed the guidelines in this book, and we've increased productivity by enabling any time, any where access to corporate data. We also saved significant dollars on the implementation of our system by following the book's advice on common mistakes to avoid. Highly recommended for both CIOs and CFOs.