Sample+Final+Report


 * Below is a final report from last semester. __Please note that this report still needs editing__ __and that I have formatted it for a wiki page__ . It can, however, give you an overall view of what a report should look like.

We will be editing this example in class. Some areas that need work are:**


 * **executive summary - break up the long single paragraph; make the recommendations consistent with the summary**
 * **consistent point of view - the use of "your"**
 * **parallelism in topic headings**
 * **explanatory information for attachments**

Click on the PDF below to see an example of a somewhat longer client centered professional report from Forester.



proximity a next generation connection Proximity Research Report

=Making International Cell Phone Use Easier for Businesses = = =

By _

Fall 2009

** Table of Contents **

__** Using Your Own Cell Phone with an International Calling Plan **__
Most major U.S. phone companies give the option of choosing an international plan that can be used on an ongoing basis or intermittently (Costello, 2009). Each company has different plans for different prices that work with different phone models in different countries. “Major cell phone providers have coverage maps that show in which countries your network works (Costello, 2009). Switching to an international call plan can be pricey and can add extra roaming charges which are typically charged by the minute. (See Attachment 2).

__** Renting a Cell Phone **__ The option of renting an international cell phone is also available. The phone will have a local number to the country you are going to and can be rented online on sites such as CellularAbroad.com or TracelCell.com (Costello, 2009). (See Attachment 3). The rented phone can be very expensive and rates are required to be paid either daily, weekly, or monthly, depending on the phone. Additional rates apply for calling minutes. Incoming calls to the rented phone will be cheaper than calling out, meaning there will be a minimum renting fee, even if the phone is never used (Costello, 2009). These phones might not have the capability to send and receive documents or email, so this might not be right choice for a business to use for employees traveling abroad.

__** Using Your Own Phone with an International SIM Card **__ If using a GSM compatible cell phone, SIM cards can be purchased in the country one is in. This gives all the benefits of having a local phone. It gives low costing calling rates and a local phone number without having to pay for an entirely new phone (Costello, 2009). Incoming calls are typically free and the minutes used are rechargeable. Depending on the country, calling to the United States might be expensive, but one has the benefit of using their own phone with their own email and ability to send and receive documents. An international data plan may be necessary to send and receive emails and use the internet, on top of paying for the local SIM card.


 * How Google Android and Google Voice Can Help Solve the International Calling Problem **

Google Android is an open source mobile operating system that is owned by Google and the Open Handset Alliance. The Open Handset Alliance is “a consortium of 47 hardware, software, and telecom companies devoted to advancing open standards for mobile devices.” (Wikipedia, 2009). Being an open source, Android allows developers to write and manage code as they please. It also allows different networks to use the operating system, so no matter what network you are on, you can choose to have an Android phone. Being on almost every network in the United States helps businesses cut the costs they would incur if they had to switch to another network to take advantage of a phone with the Android operating system. Android gives businesses the ability to customize applications to help their business run more smoothly and make it easier to transfer documents and messages while someone is abroad. There are several applications already on the Android system that help increase communication overseas as a cheaper price.

__** Truphone **__

Truphone is one of these applications. Truphone for Android allows customers to make calls through “an all-in-one conversations hub that allows customers to take advantage of Truphone’s low international call rates” (Truphone, 2009). When using the Truphone application, the call goes through a GSM local phone call to the Truphone gateway where the phone call is then routed through the Truphone network. In addition, Truphone allows customers to make voice calls to Google Talk and Skype and also use instant messaging to talk to people across different networks (Truphone, 2009). This application is very practical for the international traveler who needs to communicate regularly with someone outside of the country.

__** Google Voice **__ Google Voice was created by two members of the Google Mobile team who needed a more practical way of using more than one phone at the same time. Some businesses require the use of a business phone and a personal phone. It is a hassle to deal with both of them, especially while traveling. Google Voice solves this problem by connecting every device with one phone number. It “brings voicemail transcriptions, the ability to call and text with your Voice number, and cheap international dialing to your mobile phone” (Google Mobile Blog, 2009).

It is important for clients of Proximity who operate in an international market to know that using a cell phone abroad is not always an easy process and it takes time and money to be able to do so. There are different choices businesses have to choose from in order to communicate with employees and clients abroad. Some of these choices are better than others for businesses to be able to send and receive documents and information efficiently while abroad. Although Google Android is a new addition to the mobile sector, this report recommends that clients of Proximity who operate in an international market choose a cell phone that has this operating system. Even though businesses might have to go through some of the same steps to get these phones working abroad, phones with Google Android can help businesses cut costs and have the ability to send and receive documents easily overseas. Google Android gives business the ability to: Google Android phones are new to the market but are capable of making cell phone use abroad much easier for businesses.
 * Recommendations **
 * Using your own cell phone with an international calling pla
 * Renting a cell phone
 * Using your own cell phone with an international SIM card
 * Customize application to fit their business.
 * Communicate with employees and clients overseas at a minimal rate.
 * Use applications that help send information and documents easily back and forth over several networks.
 * Cut the cost of switching to another network to use this phone since it is on virtually every network.

These are examples of companies that charge to unlock cell phones.
 * Attachment 1: Unlocking Shops **




 * Attachment 2: Roaming Charges **

Here are few examples of roaming charges per minute, by country, for VerizonWireless.




 * Attachment 3: Renting a Cell Phone **

This is an example of a website that you can use to rent a cell phone.

References **

Costello, C. (2009.) //International Cell Phone Guide.// IndependentTraveler.com. Retrieved November 18, 2009 from []

CNET’s Quick Guide: World Phones. (2009.) //Finding a global phone.// CNET Reviews. Retrieved on November 19, 2009 from []

Entrepreneur. (2009.) //Mobile Tech Statistics.// Retrieved December 16, 2009 from []

EPathChina Electronics Wholesale. (2009.) //Cell Phones Working with GSM Network.// Retrieved on December 16, 2009 from http://www.blog.epathchina.com/2009/07/26/cell-phones-working-with-gsm-network/

Google Mobile Blog. (2009.) //Google Voice for Android and BlackBerry.// Retrieved November 19, 2009 from []

Howard Forums Your [Mobile Phone] Community Resource. (2009.) //Marketplace.Howardforums.com.// Retrieved on December 16, 2009 from http://www.howardforums.com/forumdisplay.php?f=63

National Geographic. (2009.) //National Geographic Talk Abroad Solutions.// Retrieved on December 16, 2009 from http://www.cellularabroad.com/

Segan, S. (2006.) //How to Unlock Your Cell Phone.// FoxNews.com. Retrieved on December 16, 2009 from []

The Travel Insider. (2009.) //GSM Cell Phone Unlocking FAQ Information and Answers//. Retrieved November 18, 2009 from []

Truphone. (2009.) //Truphone Launches All-New Version of Android App.// Retrieved November 19, 2009 from []

Wikipedia The Free Encyclopedia. (2009.) //Android (operating system).// Retrieved November 19, 2009 from []

Verizon Wireless. (2009.) //Global Phone.// Retrieved on December 16, 2009 from http://b2b.vzw.com/international/Global_Phone/plans_coverage.html