Wireless LAN Strategy at General Motors

During second half of 20021, GM started implementing a wireless LAN based on 802.11b (WiFi) standard, as a core enterprise technology. The objective is to gain experience in terms of extending this technology into as many areas as possible - dealer sales floor, factory floor and distribution warehouses. In order to do that, GM plans to develop a strategy and plan as the technology unfolds itself.

An important statement that GM has made in its IT strategic plan is that wireless LAN implementation is a high priority initiative, on a similar level as CRM and supply chain management - initiatives that are considered crucial to continuing success of GM as the automotive leader.

Why Did GM Decide to Start Now? : GM IT management felt that for a large, multifaceted enterprise like GM, this is the time for them to start picking standards because a number of departments and manufacturing divisions have started implementing different handheld devices and different wireless networks already. They must try to put some order into this potential chaos.

Objective

Develop an enterprise-wide technology architecture and strategy for introducing wireless networks and devices in multiple parts of GM's multifaceted organization

How Done

A 30-person task force drawn from different organizational divisions but headed by CIO. the task force worked for 60 days.

Potential Investment

Tens of millions of dollars - Nothing is small at GM! GM is reported to have invested 1.7 billion on Internet applications during the past five years.

Business Case

There is limited ROI in replacing existing wireless LANs with wireless LANs, especially when existing LANs are of 100 Mbps Ethernet variety

Initial Objectives

Employ wireless networks at GM's temporary construction sites
Investigate 2.5G and 3G wireless network technologies for OnStar Telematics initiative - Internet-based information in the car
Investigate feasibility of wireless LANs in the office environment
Determine standards for the above
Develop wireless LAN standards like 802.11b for the shop floor

Application Potential

Initial employment in wireless conference rooms
Connect trailers in a construction site through a wireless LAN
GM sees great economic gains in future by using wireless in CRM and ERP, bringing WLANs to the shop floor. Here, gM would allow forklift operators to enter inventory information directly from the forklift..

Technology Employed

Devices from Cisco Aironet family conforming to 11-Mbps 802.11b standard. System is integrated with Cisco's 10-Mbps LAN infrastructure. GM has 100 Mpbs and Gigabit wireline LAN infrastructure.

Concerns, Watch Outs and advice

Immediate ROI on wireless LANs not universal
Centralized approach to wireless LAN is a good idea for a large organization.
Security concerns are there - plan for recognizing them and then dealing with them.
Recognize bandwidth and device display size limitations
Justify each individual wireless project within an umbrella plan.