ICT Systems and Business :: ICT Essays

ICT Systems and Business Use of computers has brought profound change to business. The electronic office is an obvious example. In this, every desk in a business is likely to have a computer. The computers will be networked and have communications facilities. The work done in offices is usually; * receipt, * processing, * storage, * despatch Computers and ICT systems can do these things more efficiently and faster than manual systems. Businesses now advertise FAX numbers and email addresses prominently. This affects the number of letters sent by post but FAX and email cannot completely replace the postal service as original, hard-copy letters are still needed for legal reasons. Products can be ordered on-line via the internet and most businesses now have their own website. Electronic Data Interchange is used to send orders, pay invoices and transfer information generally. Employees are paid using electronic funds transfer. ICT AND MANUFACTURING Many industries now use Computer-Aided Manufacture (CAM), eg. cars are manufactured by robot welders and paint sprayers, Benetton manufactures clothes more quickly using CAD-CAM. The quality of computer-manufactured articles is more consistent and better, leading to greater productivity and reliability. Working conditions are often cleaner and safer. There may be shorter working hours but this could mean more reduncancies or redeployment. Skilled workers have seen their skills made redundant by CAM. Companies must modernise to remain competative and viable; if non-viable then there may be even more job losses. Use of computers has created a range of new jobs; * hardware manufacture, * sales, * servicing, * technical support (call centres) * consultancy. New products manufactured due to computers; * mobile phones, * CDs and DVDs * videos * satellite receivers, * video cameras, * digital cameras ICT AND COMMERCE The number of banking transactions is now so huge they could not be carried out without computers: * electronic transfer of funds, * elctronic payroll * ATM transactions, * credit/debit card transactions * home banking. There is a movement towards the cashless society. Our shopping habits have changed due to ICT; * digital TV shopping channels, * internet shopping. Supermarkets offer loyalty cards to encourage customers to shop at their stores. All records are stored on computer and the store can gain useful demographic information. Computerised stock control using barcodes is used by many shops. Supermarkets have grown bigger at the expense of the corner shop. The use of phone cards has resulted in less theft from call boxes. Internet shopping is increasing and lead to the growth of internet only companies, eg. ebay.com, and internet only banks, eg. cahoot. Security is a problem for companies and the system is open to credit card fraud especially for services, eg. payment for a subscription-only service. Internet shopping has lead to companies closing their retail outlets and consequent loss of jobs, eg. ICT Systems and Business :: ICT Essays ICT Systems and Business Use of computers has brought profound change to business. The electronic office is an obvious example. In this, every desk in a business is likely to have a computer. The computers will be networked and have communications facilities. The work done in offices is usually; * receipt, * processing, * storage, * despatch Computers and ICT systems can do these things more efficiently and faster than manual systems. Businesses now advertise FAX numbers and email addresses prominently. This affects the number of letters sent by post but FAX and email cannot completely replace the postal service as original, hard-copy letters are still needed for legal reasons. Products can be ordered on-line via the internet and most businesses now have their own website. Electronic Data Interchange is used to send orders, pay invoices and transfer information generally. Employees are paid using electronic funds transfer. ICT AND MANUFACTURING Many industries now use Computer-Aided Manufacture (CAM), eg. cars are manufactured by robot welders and paint sprayers, Benetton manufactures clothes more quickly using CAD-CAM. The quality of computer-manufactured articles is more consistent and better, leading to greater productivity and reliability. Working conditions are often cleaner and safer. There may be shorter working hours but this could mean more reduncancies or redeployment. Skilled workers have seen their skills made redundant by CAM. Companies must modernise to remain competative and viable; if non-viable then there may be even more job losses. Use of computers has created a range of new jobs; * hardware manufacture, * sales, * servicing, * technical support (call centres) * consultancy. New products manufactured due to computers; * mobile phones, * CDs and DVDs * videos * satellite receivers, * video cameras, * digital cameras ICT AND COMMERCE The number of banking transactions is now so huge they could not be carried out without computers: * electronic transfer of funds, * elctronic payroll * ATM transactions, * credit/debit card transactions * home banking. There is a movement towards the cashless society. Our shopping habits have changed due to ICT; * digital TV shopping channels, * internet shopping. Supermarkets offer loyalty cards to encourage customers to shop at their stores. All records are stored on computer and the store can gain useful demographic information. Computerised stock control using barcodes is used by many shops. Supermarkets have grown bigger at the expense of the corner shop. The use of phone cards has resulted in less theft from call boxes. Internet shopping is increasing and lead to the growth of internet only companies, eg. ebay.com, and internet only banks, eg. cahoot. Security is a problem for companies and the system is open to credit card fraud especially for services, eg. payment for a subscription-only service. Internet shopping has lead to companies closing their retail outlets and consequent loss of jobs, eg.