A report produced by research group, Vanson Bourne, shows that
60% of UK IT directors do not perceive WAP technology to be
necessary in implementing e-commerce strategies.
They have tended to be reluctant to integrate WAP systems partly
because existing products have been dogged with technical
problems.
Optimistic observers claim that it will be at least six months
before consumers begin to see the benefits in WAP facilities as
justification for purchasing them, while others predict that it
could take another 18 months.
The delay is attributed to a general perception that WAP devices
are slow and inefficient. However, it is generally accepted that
the technology is only intended to allow the transmission of short
snippets of information such as banking details.
In response to criticisms of WAP service Steve Bennett, chief
executive officer of Jungle.com, stated “we don’t believe at any
stage it will surpass the PC as a main vehicle for placing orders
over the web but we do believe it has a big marketplace and it is
something to be considered”.
