Editorial

Editorial

Modifying Your Business Processes for AR/VR and Wearables

Today, we will look at another cultural/organizational challenge to enterprise adoption of wearable technology. We will refer to this challenge as “business process modifications.” Business Process Modifications As the enterprise becomes increasingly mobile with the adoption of new technologies, the way we work inevitably changes—business processes are altered, workflows are redesigned, and workers learn to adapt. With the switch over to wearable technology, there are a few aspects of “change management” for enterprises to consider. A lack of such consideration and preparation is where complications and failure breed. The first aspect to consider is how wearable devices will fit into existing business processes and workflows, or otherwise change those processes. The second is how the technology will affect behavior. Consider a logistics company that is implementing smart glasses in place of traditional hand-held devices for order picking: Is the picking process going to remain the same? Of course not. Are workers going to complete their tasks in the same exact manner as before? No. This may seem common sense (introducing new technology is a big change, duh), but remember that we are still in the early days of wearable tech. A company that thoroughly thinks through the adoption process will […]

3 min read

Editorial

Privacy and Ethics of Enterprise Wearables

Today, we will turn to the cultural and organizational challenges of enterprise wearables, beginning with privacy & ethics. Cultural & Organizational Challenges Privacy & Ethics As with all mobile devices (and apps), privacy is a major concern when it comes to wearable technology. Specifically, it is the privacy of wearable users’ data, or rather the sensitive information that may be revealed by this data, that is “at stake.” Let’s get one thing straight: Privacy is not the same as security. In Part 4, we discussed the security risk posed by wearable devices in the workplace. This risk applied to both corporate and personal data either accessed or collected by the technology. Data security is a challenge of enterprise wearables that magnifies the privacy issue; but they are not one and the same. Whereas the security challenge of wearables in the workplace involves potential data leaks, privacy goes well beyond a “mere” breach of corporate information or personal data. It involves the data from wearables becoming public when not intended, falling into the “wrong” hands, and/or revealing unwanted information; or being used somehow inappropriately, unethically or in otherwise unforeseen and damaging ways not only by perhaps unknown third parties but also […]

4 min read

Editorial

The Security of Enterprise AR/VR and Wearables

Today, we will delve into perhaps the most daunting of issues facing enterprise use of wearables: data security. Data Security And so finally we come to the mother of all challenges. A number of recent headlines have attributed serious apprehension, and even fear, to the adoption of wearable technology precisely because of the security challenge. Whatever the misgivings out there, wearables are inevitably going to come into many companies in one way or another, whether distributed by management or worn as personal devices by employees in the office. These businesses will have to expand their corporate security measures, including BYOD policies, to cover wearable devices. It is essential to ensure the privacy of both enterprise and personal data. Enterprise use of wearables will involve the transfer of critical corporate information among various devices and systems, as well as the collection of employees’ personal information. Whenever a device – wearable or not – is connected to a corporate network, there is ample opportunity for data leaks. A robust security mechanism is required to protect businesses’ data. Preferably, this mechanism would empower a company to wipe-off data – all the data or just specified quantities – in cases of unauthorized access or […]

3 min read

Editorial

Enterprise Wearables and Data Analytics

Today, we will turn our attention to yet another technical challenge dealing with everyone’s favorite keyword “data.” Data Analytics & Interoperability Data, data, data. Why is the data collected by wearable devices such a big deal? Well for starters, it’s a lot of data! But there are also accuracy, consistency, management, and security issues when it comes to data and wearable technology. One of the greatest challenges confronting wearable tech in general (and not just in the workplace) is the accuracy and consistency of the data. Sources are divided on just how accurate the data stemming from wearables is. Really, it’s the sensor technology embedded in wearables that is questionable. When it comes to motion tracking, for example, some sources report that wearable devices are actually less accurate than smartphone apps; others report significant discrepancies among the readings presented by multiple devices for a single wearer and the same activity. Should similar inaccuracies extend to wearable sensors intended to detect hazardous gases on an oil rig or used in other critical scenarios, then that would certainly constitute cause for concern. So let’s say the accuracy of the data improves. What then? Several analysts cite difficulties in unlocking the value of […]

2 min read

Editorial

Top Challenges of Enterprise Wearables: IT Infrastructure

Today, we’re turning our attention to another technical challenge of enterprise wearables—IT infrastructure. IT Infrastructure Brace yourselves because we’re about to get technical… As with smartphones and tablets in previous phases of the mobile business revolution, enterprises will have to fit wearable technology into their existing IT infrastructures somehow, or else overhaul the architecture of their current IT plans to accommodate wearable devices and the loads of accompanying data. Numerous articles have advised: Companies should begin strategizing around wearables and the applications deployed to these devices sooner rather than later; they should get their IT departments “primed and ready,” even though company-wide distribution of wearable devices may be a few years off. But what does this involve? What do IT teams need to be aware of? While this challenge doesn’t necessitate that a company create its own wearable gadget (a la Walt Disney World), it may very well involve writing application program interfaces (APIs) and even conceiving original apps for those devices whose manufacturers have fairly open and flexible platforms for development. IT departments will have to integrate wearables with existing enterprise software systems such as ERP (enterprise resource planning), CRM (customer relationship management), work order management, and other legacy […]

2 min read

Editorial

Battery, Durability and UX of Enterprise Wearables

Numerous articles site privacy and security as the biggest barriers to the growth of wearables in the enterprise, but the unfortunate truth is that there are a number of challenges – some universal and others more industry- (or office-) specific – holding wearable technology back in the workplace. We have divided these challenges into 2 categories: Technical and Cultural/Organizational. The technical challenges facing enterprise adoption of wearables include such issues as battery life and data security. These are problems for the “tech wizzes” to resolve, and as the technology and related software advances over time, such factors will no longer restrain enterprise adoption of wearable tech. The ultimate resolution of many cultural and organizational challenges, on the other hand, is more “up in the air.” Whether factors such as privacy and compliance with regulatory agencies will continue to limit enterprise use of wearables depends upon how the adopting companies – the enterprise end users – handle the change over to this new wave of mobile technology. In this blog series, we will explore some of the main challenges to realizing the full potential of wearable tech in business & industry. In this first installment of the series, two technical challenges […]

3 min read

Editorial

Wearable Tech User Profile: Stephen Gamst

We’re interviewing some of the top users of wearable technology in the enterprise, from world-renowned physicians to leaders in a variety of industry sectors who are all pioneering the use of wearables on the job. Today, you will get to hear about Stephen Gamst’s experience with wearables in his own words. Gamst is partner, owner and operator of Las Vegas Air Conditioning, a frontrunner in HVAC, and also an EWTS ’15 thought leader; you can learn more about Stephen here. BrainXchange (Q): To begin, how about you provide us with a little background on yourself and your career? What do you do for a living and how did you first learn about wearable technology? Stephen Gamst (A): I am a third generation air conditioning contractor, born and raised in Las Vegas, NV. Happily married with one daughter, I try to keep work and home balanced. At both work and home I try to “do a good job”. I wanted to do better than the other guy and that in a sense is how I landed on Google Glass. I wanted to be completely un-reproachable to our customers. I wanted them to feel like they could trust me and my company. […]

6 min read

Editorial

Wearable Tech User Profile: Dr. Les Garson

We’re interviewing some of the top users of wearable technology in the enterprise world, from world-renowned physicians to leaders in a variety of industry sectors who are pioneering the use of wearables in the workplace. Hear about these individuals’ experience with wearables in their own words, beginning with Dr. Leslie Garson of UC Irvine Health Center. Dr. Garson will also share his knowledge and expertise at the Enterprise Wearable Technology Summit. BrainXchange (Q): To begin, how about you provide us with a little background on yourself and your career? What do you do for a living and how did you first learn about wearable technology? Les Garson, M.D. (A): I’m an anesthesiologist, in my 29th year of practice. I was in private practice up to approximately 3 and ½ years ago, when I joined UC Irvine Department of Anesthesiology. I first learned of wearable technology, specifically Google glass (GG), from media ads. It immediately piqued my interest as I could imagine many uses within medicine, and, especially, the field of anesthesiology. BrainXchange: When did it become apparent to you that wearable technology could benefit your work? Les Garson, M.D.: Once I saw some online demos and YouTube pieces of how […]

4 min read

Editorial

Google Glass Improving Patient Care

It's another application of the latest high tech tool: Google Glass. They're testing it at Yale-New Haven Hospital for training purposes to provide the best possible care to patients.

1 min read

Editorial

Rafael Grossmann at TEDxDirigo

1 min read

Editorial

The Employee POV on Wearables in the Workplace

Workplace loyalties are fragile in America today, with just 22% of adults reporting that they feel loyal to their company, and only 28% agreeing that their company culture is caring & understanding (PwC). Could wearable technology increase office morale? Yes, it could; but it could also pose a major threat to morale in the workplace in cases where employers fail to mollify their employees’ concerns. Technology that enables workers to do their jobs better – by making it easier to perform tasks, to produce efficiently, and to provide better service – not only makes for stronger employees overall but generally makes for a more satisfied workforce, or so one would imagine. In addition, the integration of wearables into corporate or employer-sponsored health & wellness programs can lead to a healthier, more productive, and even happier workforce. But in order for wearable technology to have a positive impact in the enterprise, employers must consider those who will actually use the devices, those who will wear the smartglasses and sport the smartwatches over the course of the workday. Let’s say you’re an executive or manager responsible for bringing new technology into your business, and you decide to adopt wearable tech; a key […]

5 min read

Editorial

An Abbreviated History of Wearable Devices: From Ancient Times to the Future

When was wearable technology invented, and by whom? Pinning down a date for the invention of wearable technology, or even an inventor, might spark some debate. Several dates and individuals – differing vastly in time and greatly in motive – have been proposed, but the question still remains: Where do we begin? Should we begin in Ancient Greece, the 13th century, the 16th century, the 1960s…? Consider the very first watch. The earliest dated watch was commissioned by the German reformer (and friend of Martin Luther) Philip Melanchthon around 1530. Essentially, Melanchthon’s Watch was a small, portable clock that could sit on a table or be worn on a chain around the neck. The first wristwatch came about not too long after, in 1571. This jeweled, armlet-mounted watch was given to Queen Elizabeth I by her longtime boyfriend of sorts Robert Dudley, 1st Earl of Leicester. These watches may not have been “smart” in the contemporary sense of the word (you could not use them to check your email), but for the 16th century, and for hundreds of years following, pocket and wristwatches were considered very sophisticated devices. (Side note: 17th-century Dutch still-life painters depicted pocket watches as vanitas symbols, […]

3 min read