WBA outlines new OMWi

The Wireless Broadband Alliance (WBA) has announced the publication of a technical report outlining a new operator-managed Wi-Fi (OMWi) reference architecture. The proposed framework will combine multiple available standards to streamline Wi-Fi data collection, Wi-Fi management, configuration, and optimization of home networks, simplifying the analysis and decision-making process for carriers.

Consumers expect reliable, high-performance Wi-Fi networks that enable their Wi-Fi devices to work at home with little to no set-up required. The paper discusses the various deployment challenges this presents for operators, who need to balance the cost of management and deployment with growing consumer requirements.

Currently, there exist several different operator-managed Wi-Fi solutions in the market, each utilizing different proprietary or standard methods for data collection, communication between the Customer Premises Equipment (CPE) and the cloud, remote management, mesh formation, etc. Furthermore, each operator-managed Wi-Fi solution tries to solve the same problems in a different way, which yields non-interoperable and non-reusable solutions.

This results in considerable resources operators currently need to employ in order to navigate through the different techniques and standards available when delivering on end-user expectations. It also highlights the difficulties many operators still face when negotiating with vendors to ensure compliance with their own standards and requirements. The main problem put forth by the paper is that a holistic solution for an operator-managed Wi-Fi network, which incorporates the necessary standards into a reference architecture for the operators to use in their deployments, still does not exist.

WBA members led by Airties, BT, Deutsche Telekom and MaxLinear are seeking to simplify this analysis and selection process, leading to better resource optimisation, while also allowing them to make more accurate claims when communicating their value proposition with end clients and users.

This paper represents the first phase of that journey, presenting an operator-managed Wi-Fi reference architecture that combines the benefits of all available standards, including Wi-Fi Alliance (WFA) Wi-Fi EasyMesh, Wi-Fi CERTIFIED Data Elements, and Broadband Forum (BBF) User Services Platform (USP) Data Models TR-369 and TR-181. Wi-Fi Alliance EasyMesh, for instance, can be utilized as the standard interface for Wi-Fi data collection, Wi-Fi management, configuration, and optimization on home networks with a standalone gateway.

WBA defines the building blocks for a reference in-home Wi-Fi network architecture that will cover both single wireless gateway and multi-AP in-home Wi-Fi solutions. This technical industry framework for operators defines how to implement and deploy a managed residential Wi-Fi technology, along with highlighting the reference architecture and explaining its advantages.  This first stage will be enhanced downstream with an expansion of the scope of requirements.

Tiago Rodrigues, CEO of the Wireless Broadband Alliance, said: “Wi-Fi and internet have become interchangeable terms in recent years. A user’s perceived quality of experience is therefore tied to the performance of their in-home Wi-Fi network. This is putting pressure on operators to better manage their residential Wi-Fi services. There are countless operator-managed Wi-Fi solutions currently on the market, all using different proprietary or standard methods for data collection, remote management, mesh formation, etc., making it extremely difficult for operators to provide a consistent level of service for their users. WBA and its members are seeking to change that with a new reference architecture that combines the best standards into one, holistic, cost-effective solution.”

Business, Advanced Certificates

Certificate in Global Supply Chain Management (online, onsite: Potsdam)The principles behind supply chain management focus on developing seamless flows of raw materials, products/services, information, and financial capital. The supply chain starts at the initial design process, and includes raw material sourcing, logistics, and continues through the delivery of that product or service to the end customer, with a goal of creating customer satisfaction at optimal cost.

Business Fundamentals Certificate (online, hybrid, onsite: Capital Region)The Business Fundamentals Certificate program is designed for working professionals who do not have an undergraduate business degree but could benefit from focused knowledge and skills in the areas of accounting, finance, operations, marketing, management and IT. Successful professionals are expected to be conversant in these areas and may be limited in their career growth without this fundamental business knowledge. The Business Fundamentals Certificate courses are part of the core MBA curriculum; therefore, all courses can be applied to an MBA should you wish to continue with the MBA degree program. View the Curriculum Sheet

Certificate in Healthcare Management (hybrid, onsite: Capital Region)Healthcare has quickly become one of the largest industries in the U.S. economy, characterized by rapid change and a need for management talent that will extend into the foreseeable future. The Certificate in Healthcare Management program will immerse you in essential business concepts within healthcare, preparing you for opportunities in this fast-growing field. This certificate program is designed for individuals currently working in healthcare (physicians, managers, nurses, pharmacists, healthcare providers and health plan staff) and for others interested in applying the latest business and management concepts to the ever-changing world of healthcare. View the Curriculum Sheet

Certificate in Innovation and New Venture Management (onsite: Potsdam)Get the skills to anticipate, develop and actualize successful new products and business models. Understand how market- and technology-driven innovations happen and how to manage both. You already know what venture capital is — here, you’ll learn how to manage it by examining the intricacies of complex financial tools that successfully commercialize new ideas.

Certificate in Human Resource Management (online)The Certificate Program in Human Resource Management will provide the educational background necessary to make informed decisions in management as related to human resource issues. The certificate holder will have the resources for strategic critical thinking necessary to optimize the human resources of an organization.

Certificate in Management and Leadership (online)The Certificate in Management and Leadership is designed to give entry and middle level managers the core business skills in organizational processes, change management, resource management and leadership. It is focused on assisting managers and executives in enhancing their management and leadership skills in order to positively affect their current organization and provide them career advancement potential.

Concentration in Data Analytics (pathway for combined Master’s program)(online)Data Analytics, commonly known as “Big Data”, is one of the highest skills in demand in today’s marketplace. Organizations across industries collect large amounts of data for a variety of reasons: to gain a competitive advantage, to improve the efficiency of operations, to reduce fraud/waste/abuse, to better understand customers, and a variety of other skills. These courses are designed to provide you with insights into the use of big data for strategic deision making, and is a pathway into the MS, Applied Data Science program, where 9 credits of coursework completed in the MBA.

Certificate in Environmental Management (onsite: Potsdam)The demands of a growing population are straining our environment. Organizations need professionals who can effectively and efficiently integrate sustainability and business. With this certificate, you will develop proficiency in drafting and assessing strategies that benefit both the environment and economy. Topics of study include green marketing, risk management and supply chain practices.

Certificate Pathway to the MBA or Healthcare Management MBAThe certificates in business fundamentals and healthcare management also provide students with an alternative pathway to admission into the MBA and Healthcare Management MBA programs, respectively. If you have thought any of the following, this pathway might be right for you:

• I want to get started right away without taking an admission test.• I want to be considered for admission into the MBA program based on my performance in core MBA courses.• I’m not sure if I want to complete an entire MBA, but I would like to learn core business principles in a short amount of time and still be able to apply all my course work should I choose to go on for the MBA.• I want to try out the MBA program by taking courses that I can use for a valuable and recognized credential, even if I decide not to complete the entire MBA.

Pathway Specifics (Online MBA Program)

Advanced materials

Globally, up to 435 million people are taking water from unprotected wells and springs and by 2025 half of the world’s population will be living in water-stressed areas. The challenge is to provide safer, accessible and more reliable supplies of clean water.

Graphene-based membranes have been described as the perfect barrier. They’re capable of separating two liquids to an exceptional degree and can block even the smallest atom, helium, from passing through.

Manchester research will enable future filtration systems to precisely control water permeation – from ultrafast permeation to complete blocking.

Outdoor runners need footwear that combines heavy-duty grip and wear with lightweight construction. Manufacturers have long competed to find a solution to the demands of customers and the terrain.

Dr Aravind Vijayaraghavan and his team at Manchester worked with UK running brand inov-8 to produce the world’s first range of sports footwear featuring graphene. The 2D material has been used to develop outsole rubbers that are scientifically proven to be 50% stronger, 50% more elastic and 50% harder wearing.

Injuries or disease can leave people with significant and lasting physical impediments to daily life, effecting their long-term health and mobility. A priority challenge for biomaterials researchers is restoring biological function with minimum invasiveness.

New medical approaches to improve human health and well-being are essential for maintaining the UK’s global position in medical technology. Professor Sarah Cartmell and her team at Manchester are developing biomaterials systems to help patients replace damaged or missing biological structures, essential for their health and mobility. By creating a biodegradable device called a scaffold they can guide tissue regeneration, such as a bone piece or layers of cartilage.

Growing populations and climate change are challenging vehicle manufacturers to find, sustainable solutions to our travel needs. They increasingly need new processes to produce lighter, cheaper and more adaptable materials.

Cygnet Texkimp, a leading machinery manufacturer for the global aerospace and automotive sectors, teamed up with Manchester robotics and textile composite specialists to find a way to create complex components cost-effectively, in high volumes, and at high speeds. Building on a concept developed by Professor Prasad Potluri, the partnership produced the world’s first robotic 3D-winding machine, which could revolutionise manufacturing of next-generation cars and planes.

Plastic waste is a global problem. It’s estimated that 40 billion tons of plastic waste will be in the Earth’s system by 2050.

Professor Michael Shaver heads a new Manchester-based initiative called RE3 – Rethinking Resources and Recycling – which is working with industry and academic partners to address technological and societal issues around plastic. His vision is to tackle the plastic challenge with breakthroughs in materials science and collective social responsibility.

Globally, corrosion costs more than $2.5 trillion a year. Despite this large economic impact, the fundamental processes of corrosion are poorly understood and industry relies on field experience for its management.

Researchers led by Dr Brian Connolly at the BP International Centre for Advanced Materials, based at Manchester, are working collaboratively to understand the fundamental processes that initiate corrosion. This research will lead to the development of improved strategies to prevent corrosion and ultimately increase the reliability and lifespan of pipelines in the oil and gas industry.

Advanced materials could help solve some of the world’s most critical problems, but we need to accelerate the discovery and development of new materials systems to bring economic and societal benefit to the UK.

Manchester has a strong tradition of stimulating economic growth and industrial innovation. We’re home to the Henry Royce Institute, the UK’s national institute for advanced materials research and innovation, bringing together the brightest minds from across the UK, including world experts from the universities of Sheffield, Leeds, Liverpool, Cambridge, Oxford and Imperial, as well as the National Nuclear Laboratory and the UK Atomic Energy Authority.

The accident at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear reactor in 2011 highlighted a challenge with the zirconium alloy used to make fuel rods. At the very high temperatures generated when coolant is lost, this particular alloy reacts with steam to produce explosive hydrogen gas.

Researchers at Manchester’s Dalton Nuclear Institute are developing fuel solutions that are much more tolerant to prolonged excessive temperatures. Our Zirconium Group is leading MIDAS, a large project, funded by the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council, to increase understanding of the metal, enabling its safe use as a primary cladding material in nuclear reactor systems.