MOBILE DOCUMENT SERVICES PROJECT

The aim of the Mobile Document Services (MDS) project is to develop document services that specifically address the needs of mobile workers and that have the potential to create novel sources of revenue for Xerox. The project work involves carrying out studies of customers, technology forecasting, building and evaluating prototype services and providing input to the development of a wireless service architecture.

The long-term (2001-2003) goals of this project are to identify new mobile document services for both people at work and people at play. We use the phrase “mobile document services” in the broadest sense. We believe that wireless technology will dramatically change the number and profile of Xerox’s customers in the next few years. One example of this change in profile is that we believe Xerox will be selling products and services to consumers (teenagers, elderly/retired persons, etc.). Thus, in 2001, our project is focused on identifying important problems and opportunities for new customer groups. We will study both mobile workers and sub-groups of consumers.

The project will produce results in a number of areas, including (but not limited to): explanations of existing work practices and processes in a variety of mobile environments; analyses of the strengths and weaknesses of existing technologies to support these work practices and processes; opportunities for new document services and technologies; and new methods of delivering current services and for re-positioning services for different markets. Results will be delivered using a variety of media, including: reports, scenarios, presentations, videos, white papers and technology prototypes.

The MDS project is broad in scope and will span a number of years. Directions and areas for targeted investigation are being informed by opportunities revealed by previous results, by emerging technology and market-place trends, and by the strategies of Xerox Business groups.

PROJECT TEAM

Marge Eldridge (Project Manager), Chris Dance, Allan MacLean, Mauritius Seeger,