next three years

The pace of change seems to increase relentlessly, especially changes involving information technology. Using your crystal ball, identify and discuss three changes likely to have substantial impact on your school services in the next three years.

It is really true and undeniable that technology is increasing relentlessly as we speak. (I am writing this as if I am talking to the reader). Using my crystal ball I would identify the following as changes that would likely come to be and would have substantial impact on the school services:

Stand-alone System Versus Web Based System (WIFI Philippines)

As we can observe, WIFI connection is spreading like wild fire. Almost everywhere we go there is WIFI connection especially in restaurants and coffee shops. I am predicting that the whole Philippines would be a WIFI hotspot. Too bad the ZTE broadband plan of the Philippines was covered with controversy because as far as I know the plan includes making most of the Philippines a WIFI hotspot (Correct me if I am wrong). But with or without ZTE, I would predict that almost the whole Philippines would be WIFI connected. As a result of unlimited Internet access anywhere, I would also predict that Web Based Systems would overrun Stand-Alone Systems. Stand-alone system doesn’t need other system in able to function. An example of this is our university’s enrollment system. Although it is networked it still is a stand-alone system because data within the system stays inside the system. Stand-alone systems may use networked computers or computers that are totally isolated from other computer. Stand-alone systems are disadvantageous in terms of access because the user must be on the place where the system is to access the services of the system while Web Based Systems are accessible anywhere if there is Internet connection. Easy access to services offered by a system is one of the most important feature of a system thus making Web based systems advantageous.

Why do I believe that having Internet access anywhere is substantial to the university? It is simple. Imagine accessing a web based enrollment system that is kilometers away from you. This could be very convenient for the actual user of the system, the employees of the school and other users of the system. It is convenient for the actual user because it spares him of the hassle of going to school, the cost of traveling to school and it saves the precious time that we would dedicate if he goes to school to enroll. It is also convenient for the employees because it minimizes their workload and focus on more development for the school. It is also convenient to other users because a Web Based System would mean lesser people doing their transactions inside the school. Although developing a web based enrollment system is hard, the thought of convenience for all the involved would push system analyst to develop such system. There is a wide range of Web Based services that could be developed for the benefit of the university.

Finally I foresee that Web Based Systems would overrun Stand-Alone Systems if and only if there would be an unlimited access of Internet anywhere we may go in our country.


RFID as New Student’s ID

RFID or Radio Frequency Identification is currently being used around the world. Philippines tried to implement a system with Radio Frequency Identification as their tool but unfortunately it’s implementation is being suspended (As Far As I know ) because some motorist in our country are complaining on the extra cost of installing a RFID on their vehicle and some people are concerned of privacy issues. RFID works like an identification card where every RFID is distinct and unique from each other. A gadget is pointed towards the RFID sticker and then data would be retrieved from the said RFID stickers. This is a big help to the authorities as they can know the driver of the vehicle even though they are far away from the field.

So how does this technology be useful to our school? It is simple. Give RFID cards to students instead of the normal plastic cards. This may sound useless but think of the relief that it could give to the authorities of the school. The security of the school would be improved if this technology would be utilized by the university. How could I say that the security may improve? Imagine a gadget similar to a close circuit television camera that could read RFID would be installed on the gate for example and a live feed of the entrance of the gate is being displayed on the guards monitor. If you have an RFID card clipped on your uniform, a mark would be put onto you by the system saying that you are a student of the university and people without marks could be easily identified as outsiders. Breach of security on the university would be minimized. Another possible use of this technology is could be a database of information for a specific student. Flashing your card to a gadget would easily retrieve your unique information and perform processes that a system may provide. For example, instead of lining up on the student’s account section of the finance division and asking how much your balance is but instead you may just flash your card on the gadget and after that a slip would be printed with all your liabilities to the school. This process could really hasten the process as you don’t have to wait for the personnel to check, compute and write your liabilities. (This could take up time especially if there is a long queue).

I foresee that processes around the school would be hastened with the help of RFID. It may replace all Identification Card being used inside the school such as our school identification card, library card, scholarship card and other cards that are being used inside the university. RFID cards are useful because it could serve as your walking database of school information.

Much Cheaper Green Energy

Although green energy is been around for quite some time now such as solar energy, wind energy, hydroelectric energy and geothermal energy, it is still hard to attain this energy because of the cost of the machines that is used to harvest green energy. Solar panels are not that cheap and wind turbines needs large open space to fully function (I think wind velocity may be lower within a city because large and tall buildings are blocking the flow of the wind). I foresee that green energy would be focused as the new main source of energy and not only an alternative. In this context, development on how to attain much cheaper green energy would be pushed through.

Architecture of the machines that harvests green energy would be more advanced and solutions would be presented to attain a cheaper way of extracting green energy. I believe that green technology would have the greatest impact not only to our school but to the whole society as it improves the quality of life and the current state of our planet. I foresee that if cheaper ways of extracting green energy would be discovered, our country would greatly benefit from it.

Again, how could this technology could have a substantial impact on our school? Imagine if our university could supply its own electricity by using cheap solar panels and wind turbines with better architecture. Not only that our university could have lesser electrical expenses but the university could give its share on helping preserve our planet. Who doesn’t want a clean source of energy especially if that energy would be much cheaper than fossil fuels such as coal and petroleum?

I foresee that among my three predictions of changes in technology, Much Cheaper Green Energy would top the list of changes that may have a substantial impact on our school and our community.