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E-commerce using a modified mobile phone

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

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