2 ICT IN THE WORKPLACE
I(nformation and) C(ommunication) T(echnology) at Work
ICT plays a key role in business today. In fact, its use is now so widespread that it is difficult to succeed without it. Rapid developments in the ICT sector in the last two
decades have produced a huge range of new products and services. These include products such as personal computers (PCs), notebooks and fax machines, and services such as e-mail, intranet and the Internet. Businesses of all sizes and types use computer-based systems like these because they offer a better way to work – one which can save time and money.
Firstly, ICT is a faster and more efficient way for people to communicate. Businesses no longer have to rely on slow postal services. They can send and receive information and documents by text, e-mail or fax. Video-conferencing means people do not need to travel long distances to attend meetings. ICT provides a way for people within an organization to contact each other quickly and share work. It also means that they can work with people around the world.
ICT is also used to input, store and manage information. One common use of office computers is to record, find and work with information. For example, businesses use word-processing (WP) or desktop publishing (DTP) packages to produce company documents, and databases to store customer details and produce mailing lists. In the past, these tasks took hours, days or even weeks and produced a lot of paperwork. With ICT they take less time and cost less. Such electronic systems also save storage space.
Another area where ICT is important is the retail industry. Most items on sale in shops have a small black and white label called a bar code. Many shops combine bar-coding with electronic point-of-sale (EPOS) systems. The customer takes an item to the cashier, who uses a scanning device to read the bar code and find out the price of the item. The EPOS system logs each sale and helps the shop manager to decide which products to reorder from the supplier. Some EPOS systems are even programmed to do the ordering.
Information and Communication Technology at Work
Manufacturers use new technology to design and build products. At the design stage, they use computer-aided design (CAD) software to produce new ideas and designs. In the production stage, many companies use robots. These are machines that do the work of people, and are controlled by computer-assisted manufacturing (CAM) programs. Robots can carry out routine, complex and dangerous procedures. They can work 24 hours a day and the standard of their work remains constant because they do not get tired or bored. As a result, companies can improve their production rates without losing quality.
New technology, then, offers a range of benefits. Firstly, it saves time. Tasks that once took a long time to do by hand now take a fraction of that time. Secondly, ICT improves communication between people, speeding up business transactions and decision-making, and opening up new markets around the world. Thirdly, inexpensive ICT solutions can often replace expensive people. Consequently, companies can reduce the size of their workforce and their wage bills. Finally, ICT can increase the quantity and improve the quality of goods produced, which may also increase profits.
However, it is important to understand that there are costs as well as benefits. ICT systems can be very expensive. Companies have to choose systems which suit their needs and are cost- effective before investing in ICT. They have to consider several factors. Firstly, technology is constantly developing, which means that systems need to be regularly upgraded. Another issue is staff training. There is no point installing an ICT system if workers cannot use it. Lastly, there is the cost of technical support, such as a helpdesk, to ensure that everything runs well on a daily basis.
Modern technology is here to stay. It would be almost impossible to ignore computer-based systems or to return to working without them. However, successful use of ICT requires investment in both equipment and skills. Businesses of all sizes need to make the right choices because there are risks, as well as benefits, involved.
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