Standards

One of our RF1 clients asked us, "Why should we be worried about 'standards'?" This was in relation to work that we're currently doing for this entity. So, what's the answer?

In general standards generate efficiencies and competitiveness in the sectors that adopt them.
Prime examples of successfully adopted standards include the Internet Protocol (IP), Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM), Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA), General Packet Radio Service (GPRS) and Hyperlink (HTML). Could you imagine the state we'd be in if EVERYONE who developed an "app" just did their own thing, their own way? You don't have to look back too far to get my drift. For those of us of a certain age, just click back to the battle between VHS and BETA formats for VCR's. For those of you who don't know what a VCR is, look at the issues today in resolving 3D TV standards.

As they evolve, standards can generate linked effects which exist where the more parties that adopt a particular way of doing something, the greater immediate benefit is achieved to new parties who subsequently adopt the same way of doing it, as well as increasing the value to those who have already adopted it. These linked effects can generate greater economies of scale as costs reduce for example, as mobile phones and the GSM, CDMA and GPRS standards have grown in popularity, the cost of purchasing a handset has reduced significantly. Standards can also increase competition. If a standard approach to development, construction or deployment exists between different suppliers, the choices to the consumer become more broad, therefore leading to a more competitive environment.

Possibly the single most important benefit of standards relates to operational efficiencies. New participants can benefit from the lessons learned by earlier adopters of the process or technology-at-hand.

All this having been said, as evidenced by the references to the cellphone "standards" (GPRS / CDMA / GSM), the best thing about standards is, there are so many to choose from! Don't go blindly into an approach without doing some homework.