The fourth Technology Convention was held in the Palace of Culture and Science in Warsaw on Oct. 18. The event is a unique forum for dialogue between all market participants-suppliers and recipients of services and products of the sector. The convention is also a good place for presenting advanced telecommunication and data transmission solutions for business.

As in previous years, the concept and organization of the convention was handled by Polkomtel SA, the operator of Plus GSM network. This year's edition's message was Mobility-Integration-New Opportunities, and the partners included some of the world's biggest data transmission companies-Hewlett-Packard, IBM, Intel, Motorola, Nokia, Oracle, Samsung, Siemens and Sony-Ericsson.

Around 2,500 people participated in the plenary session and the accompanying presentations, shows and a seminar. These included representatives of top ranking managerial staff, owners and heads of small and medium-sized companies as well as of institutions and organizations that incorporate the latest technologies. "Year by year the Technology Convention enjoys increasing interest on the part of entrepreneurs," said Mirosław Bielicki, director of market development at Polkomtel SA. "This not only proves our concept was correct, it also shows that the role of operator of mobile telecommunication services for business is more and more appreciated by Polish entrepreneurs."

"Fast broadband Internet access is the basis of comprehensively understood communications," said Jarosław Pachowski, president of board of Polkomtel SA. "For mobile and convergent telephony, for the Internet television, for video connections and video conferences. For dozens of related versatile services, such as, for example, safe payments over the Internet or the functioning of building security systems. Data transmission will become a service of fundamental significance. In 2010, we can expect that 12 percent of all connections will be video."

The honorary guest of the convention, Robert Conway, the president of GSM Association that includes nearly 850 GSM operators from 212 countries, agreed that the Polish market is in a decisive phase of growth. He stressed that the challenges for Poland in terms of computerization create huge chances and opportunities for mobile telephony and the convergent services it offers.

The convention this year focused on four themed blocs: integrated telecommunication systems, mobile applications and data transmission, telemetrics, monitoring and data acquisition solutions, and new added services in mobile networks. Both clients and providers of advanced technologies believe these areas of telecommunication and data transmission solutions are developing most dynamically and stimulate the search for new and innovative technologies. During the convention, numerous stands presented concrete applications for telecommunication solutions that are already used by companies, as well as projects that are still in the research phase.

For example, Motorola presented the world's first music telephone, Motorola ROKR. The device can contain up to 100 music files in MP3 and AAC formats. The average transmission time for a 4 MB file over a cable is 30 seconds. There was also the stylistically refined Motorola PEBL and telephones for the 3G network. Modern Bluetooth accessories were presented, including sunglasses, a motorcycle helmet and a jacket with built-in earphone systems. "The products on display are the next step in the realization of Motorola's strategic goal-Seamless Mobility, or the adjustment of telecommunication devices to user needs, habits and interests to make these devices simple and convenient," said Grzegorz Podgórski, director for mobile telephony market at Motorola.

Nokia stand featured, among others, the Nokia 6630 telephone-the first widely available 3G product on the Polish market that has a digital 1.3 megapixel camera, can record up to one hour of video and allows for data transmission at full speed available in 3G and EDGE networks. It has a removable 64 MB memory card with extension options, an MP3 player and can also provide video conferencing due to the PT-8 stand.

Samsung's SGH-E530 was designed primarily with women in mind. The phone's design makes it an elegant accessory and software is also adjusted to women's needs, with a special menu and functions. It can send multimedia, using a WAP browser with fast GPRS data transmission, play MP3 files and JAVA games and provides voice recording. Bluetooth technology enables hands-free usage in the car.

New telecommunication technologies involve not only mobile telephones. Sony Ericsson has presented a device providing convenient wireless Internet access during travel-a four-band card PC Sony Ericsson GC89, an ideal product for those who are always on the go but have to remain in contact regardless of place and time and perform operations involving large amounts of data, such as e-mail attachments, Internet browsing or data downloading. The card is compatible with EDGE-Release 4 standard, which is very useful for professionals who need fast uplinks for sending large amounts of data, such as presentations or scattered documents. The GC89 card is easy to install and compatible with most notebook operating systems, as well as with the majority of popular software applications (for example, MS Exchange, MS Outlook, Netscape, CRM, SAP, Siebel, Messenger, and so on).

Oracle presented an application supporting the work of the mobile sales representative. Its main function is sending reports from calls at points of sale. The reports include merchandising stock on store shelves at the moment of the representative's arrival, new orders and a poll on the given store. It is easy to picture its compatibility with a supplier's warehouse system.

Another new product, Edge Server, is a solution designed and developed in the Warsaw-based Oracle Mobile Software Center, which collects data from sensors and antennas. It can be used, for example, in a car, where it can monitor various sensors and depending on data obtained, it can notify the ambulance service in case of airbag activation or send a text message in case of suspected theft. It can also provide information on traffic or notify the user of nearby shopping centers if the GPS sensor indicates there is one in the vicinity.

Plus GSM also presented Command Support Systems (SWD) that allow services on duty to register and gather data on events, to monitor specific city areas with TV cameras, and to use audio and wire communications systems. The SWD in Poznań are equipped with police car positioning systems on a digital map. Within the SWD, a system module holds all the officers' personal data, enabling early scheduling of patrols and command station services.

The GPS system enables efficient coordination of police operations, prevention services, road traffic and convoys. The Push To Talk function within group voice communications allows for implementation of an efficient means of communication. It combines the advantages of a mobile phone and a walkie-talkie. It allows for conference calling, similar to CB radio, but with the use of mobile phones. The police in Poznań use the technology with, for example, motorcycle patrols. The main advantage of this service is the fact that there is no need to maintain an independent communication network on a large area. The SWD also facilitates cooperation of the police and the ambulance service, fire department and other municipal services. As a result, in a crisis situation, city or commune authorities have access to the current detailed information, which allows for effective decision-making.

Plus GSM also presented iPlus and TeleDICOM solutions. iPlus is a communication tool for Internet access at any time or place, for both portable and desktop computers. Work comfort is ensured by an application written specially for this product, iPlus manager. TeleDICOM is a solution for medicine in a time of global communications. This application allows a group of consultants to work interactively on medical documentation in the form of graphic files presenting the results of patient tests. TeleDICOM is developed and tested by the Information Technology Faculty at the Academy of Mining and Metallurgy (AGH) in cooperation with John Paul II Hospital in Cracow and the Institute of Cardiology in Warsaw.

A great deal of interest was raised by a presentation of the latest technology solutions applied in the construction industry. The concept of an "intelligent building" is increasingly popular, and the most often used standards include European Installation Bus (EIB) and X10. They can connect to one link many pieces of equipment that communicate with one another and perform various functions, for example, sensors, infrared modules, or power supply, light and access controllers. As a result, it is easy to check whether the building is closed, whether the lights are off and the blinds are rolled down, the air-conditioning is on and so on. It can also control the equipment connected to the system, which involves functions such as heating, watering or creating the impression of the presence of people in the building by switching on the radio or lights. An "intelligent building" sends information on the status of all the equipment with text messages, e-mail or voice messages sent by the system after establishing a voice connection.

Along with rapid growth of the number of companies offering transport services all around Europe and therefore an increasing number of vehicles traveling across Europe, Polish carriers were faced with car fleet management and control. That situation is to be solved by the GPS/GPRS location system. It allows the companies to monitor their vehicles in real time, choose optimum routes, control fuel consumption and ensure driver and cargo safety. The system presented at the convention has many accompanying functions, such as a detailed map of Europe and over 500 city maps.

HP and Intel presented an interactive presentation for entrepreneurs titled Mobile Company-Remote Management. In times of wireless Internet access and mobile solutions, work is no longer closely connected to a given location such as an office or a factory and access to key corporate data is possible from anywhere. During the show, convention guests could see the latest developments from HP and Intel in terms of wireless equipment, as well as IT solutions supporting remote company management from SageSymfonia. Modern technologies used during the interactive presentation demonstrated that a company can operate effectively despite strong competition and that work continuity can be maintained in crisis situations.

IBM presented IT solutions for small and medium-sized businesses. In cooperation with its business partners, IBM developed a portfolio of Express products and services. The Express solutions include services, software and financing options (provided by IBM Global Financing) adjusted to the needs and potential of small and medium-sized enterprises. IBM Polska is consistently implementing its On Demand Business strategy, first announced worldwide a few years ago. In line with its principles, IBM provides the clients with services and products allowing companies to focus on the basic activity and for optimum realization of selected business goals. IBM Global Services offers, among others, services in IT system safety, ensuring company operations in crisis conditions (Security & BCRS), IT infrastructure management, network services, technical support for hardware and software, IT outsourcing, technical training and courses, project management and e-learning solutions.

Intel, the world's biggest manufacturer of microprocessors, focused on the presentation of the new broadband technology for wireless networks, WiMAX. The difference between the WiMAX standard and earlier versions of wireless broadband access (SDB) involve standardization. Earlier solutions used non-standard sets of systems, developed specially for each producer of SDB solutions, which was time-consuming and costly. Intel wants to cut costs due to economy of scales, which will help stimulate the market for such services.

Intel argues that after obtaining wireless access, people use their notebooks 30 percent more. Results of three independent studies showed that after connecting to a wireless network, the productivity of notebook users extended by eight hours a week on average. The costs of installation of wireless infrastructure in the WiMAX standard are much lower than with current cable solutions that often require some construction works in buildings and streets. In these regions of the world where there is no developed cable infrastructure (for example, China or India), the WiMAX standard is a practical method of providing services to different parts of the country. WiMAX can provide broadband access to millions of households and companies in rural areas as well as on developing markets. Over the next 5-10 years wireless technology will be used by more and more sectors to increase productivity. British Telecom is already testing WiMAX in Ireland and Scotland. Intel also cooperates with Iberbanda (Spain), PCCW (Hong Kong) and Reliance Infocomm (India). Sector analysts estimate that by 2009 the WiMAX market's value will reach $3-5 billion.

One of the solutions presented during the convention by Siemens was the DVB-H (Digital Video Broadcast Handheld) TV signal that combines television with cellular telephony. The Siemens DVB-H solution receives interactive TV services using a mobile phone, live TV and radio broadcasts and specially prepared video programs. An electronic guide of services available through the DVB-H standard allows the user to select the desired channel and obtain program information.

During the convention, the second Company Plus Technology competition was concluded. This year's two-stage edition attracted nearly 200 companies and institutions. The competition chapter under Prof. Józef Modelski awarded first prize in three categories to Scandinavian Tobacco SA for the Integrated Package of Telecommunication Services project. Polska Grupa Farmaceutyczna was awarded for Mobile Meter Reader project and Province Police Headquarters in Poznań for Command Support System (SWD). The main criteria for evaluation included the innovative character of technical solutions, the impact of innovation on company efficiency and the scale of financial and quality benefits resulting from the projects.