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Supporting the Aspirations of the Over 50s
Being Smarter
We are not old, our faculties are still with us, we have the benefit of experience and we have the presence and confidence that only time can bring. So we should be able to think and act in an effective manner alongside or in competition with our younger colleagues. But what about the physical effort, the long hours, the endless travelling, the socialising? I believe we can think and act smarter, do our jobs better, live a more fulfilling life, while expending less energy and managing our time to suit ourselves. How?- by using new technology! New technology is not just for the teens and twenty somethings, it is for all, and we, with all our experience and knowledge, can not only use it as well as others, we can make best use of it to maximise the benefits it brings to each of us as individuals whatever we set out to achieve.
The Arrival of ICT
The history of computing, until recently, has been dictated by technological capability. At first, computers were large, very expensive and required specialised air-conditioned environments. As a result, we had the age of the large central computer spanning the 1960's and '70's. One scientist in IBM even went as far as saying in a professional article that all the world required was 8 massive computers.
Then, in the mid 1970's technology changed to allow us to have smaller, cheaper, easier to run computers known as mini-computers. Computers were now integrated with scientific and manufacturing processes; and even small companies could afford their own computers. However, it was the 1980's that brought about the biggest changes, in two areas; the development of the microprocessor and improved communications allowing networking of computers.
Most early uses of microprocessors were in calculators and digital watches, it was still to be a few years before the advent of the BBC Micro, the Sinclair Z80 and the Apple Computer Company, let alone the arrival of the IBM PC. In parallel, communications were improving to the point that computers could share data and pass data between remotely located systems, albeit slowly by today's standards. So what we saw in the late 1980's and early 1990's was the development of large networks computers and terminals, mainly using uniquely written, expensive software.
What happened next is well known; the licensing of PC technology by IBM allowed the marketplace to expand rapidly, with new companies such as Compaq and Dell offering faster, cheaper PCs which brought the technology to the whole world. At the same time, the Internet enabled worldwide sharing of data over compatible, interoperable networks. Finally broadband has expanded our horizons beyond text to sound, pictures and video. The age of Information and Communications Technology (ICT) had dawned. Technology is no longer the barrier - all that holds us back is our imagination and the courage to “give it a go”.
Underlying services
Technological capability and availability is all well and good, and the industries supporting it are exciting places to think and work for hundreds of thousands of young men and women; but the key issue for us to consider is what is all this technology doing for us? How can we harness it to improve our lives and lifestyles?
First let's consider what we have in terms of underlying service capability:
Powerful low cost PCs. Prices from below £500, availability everywhere, including Tesco, sufficient disk space never to run out, program suites to suit all our needs and amazing low cost peripherals such as colour printers for £25.
The Internet. Coupled with Broadband, worldwide access to a wealth of data, interactive transactional sites such as holiday bookings, email, online voting, chat services, music and video downloads, BLOGs allowing you to express your opinion, and up-and-coming fast, Voice over IP (VoIP), that is, using the Internet to make worldwide phone calls at very low cost or free.
Mobile technology. Mobile phones including cameras, MP3 players, TV capability, personal organiser (PDA) capability, access to emails and diaries, access to the Internet allowing all services including bookings and payment. Ever faster networks, such as 3G and WiFi, mean that mobile services are now able to support all requirements with few and rapidly diminishing restrictions.
The result of all this is that we can do what we want, when we want and where we want – cheaply and easily. The question is, how do we take advantage of all this to our benefit? How do we ensure at least a level playing field for the more mature and those wishing to improve their time management to suit lifestyle choices while continuing to further a career?
Making it work for you
Consider some possibilities opened up by ICT, all available to you:
Home Working. Why waste time and effort travelling when you can have direct access to all the people, services and information you need from your home. Video VoIP and video conferencing are all at your finger tips. Email has become the natural way to communicate, rendering the FAX machine obsolete and “snail mail” no longer the written communications medium of choice. You can work when you want and communicate readily around the world regardless of time zone.
Networks. You can set up personal or business networks of contacts, each working individually to a shared common end. For example, one can consider the development of "cottage" industries; a group of book sellers or specialised clothing manufacture etc. all working together through a common Internet based web outlet to match the size and power of much larger organisations. This can be extended to personal services such as financial and legal advice, where individual specialisations will ensure the best advice in all cases. And of course, networks will also have much greater buying power, pushing down the cost of goods and raw materials.
Supporting Services. People no longer working in a office can feel very alone and find they lack silly but basic services. For example, when, in the office, you ran out of notebooks, you used to go to the stationery cupboard, but now, where do you go? Online ordering and door-to-door delivery will solve that problem; however, the Internet can solve many more. Consider:
Online shared diaries
Online and personal accounting services
Online time management and prospect tracking
Online back-up
Online billing and accounting services
Some of these will be supplied as web based services from companies specialising in these services, others will be more personal, from niche, dedicated cottage industries. So, it will be seen how one set of cottage industries can support another. Who needs big companies now?
On-the-move. Why be locked into your home; why swap one fixed office for another? Why not also work on the move using lap-top computers and PDAs with 3G and WiFi connectivity as required. 3G is becoming more available and cheaper to use every day, while free of charge WiFi services are starting to be deployed, both locally and across cities. It is expected that it will not be long before free WiFi is universally available. So why not take the short breaks you want to have, why not take time out to spend with the family? You can work wherever you are or you can off-load some work across your network or cottage industry. You can even organise an emergency rota for those situations that are beyond people's control
Issues
In a perfect world there would be no downside, but we know only too well that there are problems using the Internet including: Computer viruses
SPAM
Identity theft
Theft of credit card details
Propagation of porn and other offensive materials
Most of these are just irritants but some, such as identity theft, can be more dangerous. So it is essential that you take steps to ensure end-to-end security and privacy, both personal and data related. Such protection is available and after taking proper steps to safeguard yourself there is no reason not to take advantage of new technology. However, this subject is outside the scope of this paper.
Nevertheless, it is worth highlighting the three key entities you need to work effectively in an online environment:Electronic proof of Identity and a mechanism for its presentation and authentication when needed
Secure proof of Entitlements such as age related discounts
A secure means of electronic payment
In general, these requirements can be supported. Methodologies and services are tried and tested and are available piecemeal in different ways. What is not readily available is some form of "club" membership to which one can sign up and receive these services. Perhaps this is something which Heyday can explore as a desirable member service.
Being Smarter
We are not old, our faculties are still with us, we have the benefit of experience and we have the presence and confidence that only time can bring. So we should be able to think and act in an effective manner alongside or in competition with our younger colleagues. But what about the physical effort, the long hours, the endless travelling, the socialising? I believe we can think and act smarter, do our jobs better, live a more fulfilling life, while expending less energy and managing our time to suit ourselves. How?- by using new technology! New technology is not just for the teens and twenty somethings, it is for all, and we, with all our experience and knowledge, can not only use it as well as others, we can make best use of it to maximise the benefits it brings to each of us as individuals whatever we set out to achieve.
The Arrival of ICT
The history of computing, until recently, has been dictated by technological capability. At first, computers were large, very expensive and required specialised air-conditioned environments. As a result, we had the age of the large central computer spanning the 1960's and '70's. One scientist in IBM even went as far as saying in a professional article that all the world required was 8 massive computers.
Then, in the mid 1970's technology changed to allow us to have smaller, cheaper, easier to run computers known as mini-computers. Computers were now integrated with scientific and manufacturing processes; and even small companies could afford their own computers. However, it was the 1980's that brought about the biggest changes, in two areas; the development of the microprocessor and improved communications allowing networking of computers.
Most early uses of microprocessors were in calculators and digital watches, it was still to be a few years before the advent of the BBC Micro, the Sinclair Z80 and the Apple Computer Company, let alone the arrival of the IBM PC. In parallel, communications were improving to the point that computers could share data and pass data between remotely located systems, albeit slowly by today's standards. So what we saw in the late 1980's and early 1990's was the development of large networks computers and terminals, mainly using uniquely written, expensive software.
What happened next is well known; the licensing of PC technology by IBM allowed the marketplace to expand rapidly, with new companies such as Compaq and Dell offering faster, cheaper PCs which brought the technology to the whole world. At the same time, the Internet enabled worldwide sharing of data over compatible, interoperable networks. Finally broadband has expanded our horizons beyond text to sound, pictures and video. The age of Information and Communications Technology (ICT) had dawned. Technology is no longer the barrier - all that holds us back is our imagination and the courage to “give it a go”.
Underlying services
Technological capability and availability is all well and good, and the industries supporting it are exciting places to think and work for hundreds of thousands of young men and women; but the key issue for us to consider is what is all this technology doing for us? How can we harness it to improve our lives and lifestyles?
First let's consider what we have in terms of underlying service capability:
The result of all this is that we can do what we want, when we want and where we want – cheaply and easily. The question is, how do we take advantage of all this to our benefit? How do we ensure at least a level playing field for the more mature and those wishing to improve their time management to suit lifestyle choices while continuing to further a career?
Making it work for you
Consider some possibilities opened up by ICT, all available to you:
Some of these will be supplied as web based services from companies specialising in these services, others will be more personal, from niche, dedicated cottage industries. So, it will be seen how one set of cottage industries can support another. Who needs big companies now?
Issues
In a perfect world there would be no downside, but we know only too well that there are problems using the Internet including:
Most of these are just irritants but some, such as identity theft, can be more dangerous. So it is essential that you take steps to ensure end-to-end security and privacy, both personal and data related. Such protection is available and after taking proper steps to safeguard yourself there is no reason not to take advantage of new technology. However, this subject is outside the scope of this paper.
Nevertheless, it is worth highlighting the three key entities you need to work effectively in an online environment:
In general, these requirements can be supported. Methodologies and services are tried and tested and are available piecemeal in different ways. What is not readily available is some form of "club" membership to which one can sign up and receive these services. Perhaps this is something which Heyday can explore as a desirable member service.
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PIF - Mar 2008 ALCO starts the PIF Transport Working Group |
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BKV Budapest-
Feb 2008 ALCO & Sequoia Smart Solutions advise Budapest's public transport operator |
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Tuxedo Money Solutions-Feb 2008 ALCO advises on the impact and opportunities arising from new technology |
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Mobank-Jan 2008 Mobank development supported by ALCO Consulting |
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Monitise -Jan 2008 Monitise strategy advised by ALCO Consulting |
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NFC Enabled Mobile Phones Mar 2008 Growing Marketplace Enthusiasm |
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Prepaid Cards - Mar 2008 The move to contactless smartcards is gathering pace |
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Citizen Cards - Mar 2008 New opportunities |
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