A German SME has developed an innovative e-commerce solution for a
product information recording, using a modified mobile phone for
mobile data recording of bar codes on products. The concept can be
used both B2B and B2C and will simplify and fasten especially the
way of ordering between private clients/ retail markets and the
wholesale trade. The SME is looking for a joint venture agreement.
A German SME has developed a complete system to realize e-commerce
by mobile phone between the target groups:
- Private households
- Catering trade, hotel trade
- Large-scale catering, canteens, cafeterias
- Social services
- Petrol stations, local grocer's shops
Also, their trading ventures (e.g. consumer markets) respectively
their pre-suppliers (e.g. cash-and-carry, wholesale trade) . The
focus is directed toward the general product groups of the "food
trade" (except the trade with fresh products) .
This kind of e-commerce can be realized by combining components
that have been already developed (essentially a mobile phone plus
photo unit) with special mobile phone software in order to use
them for the new function. The mobile phone can seize the data
directly and transfer it from anywhere and at any time. The data of
the sender (customer) may reach the receiver (supplier) without
medium break. A clearinghouse, where the data is converted into a
standard format and passed on to the receiver, manages the
transmission.
Present conditions: Today, private households do not have the possibility to use
e-commerce solutions in the goods segments specified above. At
present, SMEs of the target group usually pass their orders on to
the wholesale trade by telephone/fax or are forced to take away the
goods by themselves (cash-and-carry and consumer markets) . Already
existing e-commerce solutions are only conceived for the assortment
of the respective wholesale dealer. Orders are keyed in the PC but
the PC is not always within reach when a new order has to be
carried out.
The vision: A standard mobile phone, modified by special software, is used as
''mobile data recording tool''. Thus a widespread, simple to
operate data recording equipment applicable to everyone is
available to the users. With the modified mobile phone the product
data are seized with the help of a camera on the basis of the EAN
(European article numbering) code number attached at every product
and stored in the mobile phone afterwards. From the seized product
information the necessary products can be selected again and again
to take them over into the current shopping list. The compiled
shopping list is transferred to a clearinghouse where the
appropriate wholesale dealer for each order is selected. Finally
the order can be passed on to the respective dealer.
Main Advantages:
1. The new development is applicable universally by making use of
worldwide existing structures:
- EAN/UPC product marking (European Articles Numbering/Universal
Product Code)
- Mobile telephone
That means the system can be used worldwide.
2. For the first time a data exchange from one customer to numerous
suppliers will be possible (1:n - relationship) . The system can be
used both B2B and B2C.
3. The system is easy to install and does not require a large
investment.
Innovative Aspects : Combining the bar code identification of the article with
the
functionality of the mobile phone, even the private sector will be
able to make use of the advantages of mobile data acquisition. In
addition, within the commercial sector, only one mobile data
acquisition tool can be used for all suppliers. So far the current
systems are appropriate only for a specific supplier and not
transferable. In contrast to orders in the Internet this new tool
enables the user to select and collect products at any place (in
the baking room, in the workshop etc.) .
Subject Descriptors : Communications networks, Information processing,
Microelectronics,
Software engineering
Subject Index Codes : Telecommunications, Information Processing, Information
Systems,
Electronics, Microelectronics
Subject Class : IT, telecommunications
Market Applications : Administrative data processing, Data, information security
Stage of Development : Prototype/demonstrator available for testing
Remarks : IRC Data: PhonPen
Property Rights : Secret know-how
Collaboration Sought : Joint venture agreement, Financial support
Collaboration Detail : - Type of partner sought: Within the ranges food
wholesaling, food
retail trade, hotel business, catering trade, kiosks, cafeterias,
large-scale catering, petrol stations, beverage wholesale, social
services. The company is looking for SMEs in all European countries.
- Specific area of activity of the partner see above!
- Task to be
performed Testing and demonstrating the system
Contact Details
Contact Name : WEINAND, Thomas (Mr.)
Contact Organisation : Euro Info Centre Trier/EU-Beratungsstelle fur
Rheinland-Pfalz
Address : Technologie Zentrum Trier
Bahnhofstrasse 30-32
City : Trier
Region : RHEINLAND-PFALZ
TRIER
Trier, Kreisfreie Stadt
Postcode : 54294
Country : GERMANY
Telephone Number : +49-651-9756714
Fax Number : +49-65-19756733
Electronic Mailbox :
weinand@eic-trier.de
