ABSTRACT
This chapter provides an integrated research agenda on pervasive information systems. The research agenda refers to a four-layer framework examining technological, social, and application-specific trends and challenges. The chapter presents a systemic view of pervasive information systems in terms of participating components. Specifically, the chapter focuses on the design challenges of pervasive networks, middleware solutions, wireless sensor networks, and pervasive access devices. Moreover, it outlines the importance of context awareness for pervasive systems development. In addition, the chapter provides a four-category classification of the application types that pervasive systems can support: personal, domestic, corporate, and public. The chapter concludes by raising the most important social issues that need to be addressed during pervasive systems design and implementation.
