Comments on: Location Based Services Value Chain – Part 1

By: Location Based Services Value Chain - Part 2 | Georillas 800 LBS Marketing

Location Based Services Value Chain - Part 2 | Georillas 800 LBS Marketing — Thu, 25 Aug 2011 00:08:13 +0000

[...] you read PART 1? I’ll strongly recommend reading part 1 [...]

By: Business Models for Location Based Social Networking | Location Based Services Unveiled

Mon, 15 Dec 2008 14:57:09 +0000

[...] assume through this post that you have read the preceding articles (LBS Marketing Concept / Value Chain 1 / Value Chain 2 / Location Based Social Networks 2.5) as many of the keys for further business [...]

By: Claudio Schapsis

Claudio Schapsis — Tue, 09 Dec 2008 03:17:19 +0000

Peter,

I completely agree with you. Please note that in part 2 I mentioned (briefly) the devices and stated this is a huge topic to be summarized in a few sentences. I intend to devote a full post to this. I’ll cover typical handset challenges i.e. many different operating systems, and considerations about PND i.e. PTCRB – Voice – Message Structure – Geofencing definitions etc.

I’ll keep you posted. THANKS!!

By: Peter Braun

Peter Braun — Tue, 09 Dec 2008 01:34:58 +0000

You forgot to mention device manufacturers as part a critical part of the value chain. Mobile phones and PNDs are the integral and critical part of the LBS chain. Similarly to carriers, they can limit what an app can do, limit / enable access to vital info (e.g. location) and have been trying to expand through the value chain into applications and data. Most of the applications live or die by decisions of device manufacturers – see the control that Apple (and others) exercise over which apps will be available to consumers via application stores and other methods. Even pure web-based applications like http://www.GeoSpot.com are dependent on browser capabilities / limitations though that is becoming less of a problem with new smart devices coming to the market now.

By: Greg Peckham

Greg Peckham — Fri, 05 Dec 2008 18:59:02 +0000

Ok- I realize now I am talking to the BIG BRAINS, or at lease embarking on communications with some tech-speak beyond my pay grade. However, in layman’s terms, how does someone, someproduct, somecompany, use the information you are providing to build a busines? Can one just provide a service through a network and hope the subscribers want it? How does one initiate an income stream through LBS App provider? Now my brain needs a rest. Kind Regards Greg

By: Claudio Schapsis

Claudio Schapsis — Fri, 05 Dec 2008 00:21:39 +0000

I agree with you in some degree. I wanted to show the complete value chain and where the money is going (directly or indirectly) – to understand the possible business models.

In any case, I wonder how WiMAX open access networks will change these models.

Thank you!

By: thomas

thomas — Thu, 04 Dec 2008 11:06:39 +0000

Your definition of M2M is interesting and quite different from the usual one. M2M is usually the overall name for the monitoring industry, from pet to machinery. Here M2M is define as MVNO (mobile Virtual Network Operator), the connectivity aggregators. Although Jasper hates me calling them an MVNO…;-) Still it make sense.

However, looking at the value chain 2, you suggest the App Dev pays the operator. I can’t think of an example when that happens. In most case the connectivity is paid by the customer (sometimes you have telematics service provider that will resell connectivity, but it’s a dangerous model)

What you do have is Appdev using location aggregators (LocAid, Ulocate…). In the US location is mostly owned by the network, so in this case, yes the AppDev is paying the network, but again through an aggregator…

By: Location Based Services Value Chain - Part 2 | Location Based Services Unveiled

Fri, 28 Nov 2008 19:41:54 +0000

[...] you read PART 1? I’ll strongly recommend reading part 1 [...]

By: Claudio Schapsis

Claudio Schapsis — Fri, 28 Nov 2008 18:02:03 +0000

Hi Steve,

You are certainly right!

You took the words right of my keyboard, for I was just finishing part 2 where I extend the value chain to other components including the M2M providers. (and maps, maps APIs, etc)

Thank you for your comment!!!!!

By: Steve Harrop

Steve Harrop — Fri, 28 Nov 2008 17:48:58 +0000

This is probably a facet of the US market (or perhaps in part 2/3), but I’m surprised that you do not identify a “mobile aggregator” in these value-chain scenario’s. Not many LBS application developers in the UK would consider coding to a specific operator’s LBS service, they would instead code to (and have the billing relationship with) an aggregator, and let them deal with the back-end OpCo specific LBS-API’s. This way their app can address the UK market across all operators, if not pan-European (eg: Mobile Commerce).

Steve Harrop
—
Vodafone UK