History and recent developments

• Until the mid-90s it was not possible to shop online. The closest alternative was shopping by phone.
• The same was true for banking and all the host of Government and other services which now exist online.
• Emailemail: electronic mail - a message written or typed on a computer and sent electronically rather than by post was not widely used and instant messengerinstant messenger: an application that allows users to send instant messages (text) to one another didn't exist.
• Instead of mobile phones there was a trend for CB (Citizen's Band) radio.
• Documents could not be sent as email attachmentsattachment: a file that's 'attached' to an email is called an attachment and were faxed instead (a paper document is digitised, sent down a phone line, and then printed at the other end).
• The need to travel for essential services, eg banking, was far greater for those who lived outside town.

Recent developments

Today, customers expect even the smallest of businesses to have a professional, informative websitewebsite: a web page or group of web pages hosted on one web server and viewed in a web browser. Businesses that have failed to embrace the advancement of communications and ICT have put themselves at a disadvantage.

It is now common for adverts to include a webweb: includes all of the web pages accessible via the Internet address in addition to, or even instead of a phone number.

Impact on employment

The introduction of information technology has caused some unemployment, for example:

• Computer-controlled warehouses need only a handful of staff to operate them.
• Computer-controlled robots are now common on production lines, replacing human workers.
• The old skills of workers in the printing industry are now out-of-date.
• Some jobs have disappeared as they can now be done automatically, eg marking multiple choice exam papers.

However, it is fair to say that the development of information technology has led to many new jobs such as computer technicians, programmers, webweb: includes all of the web pages accessible via the Internet designers and systems analysts.

Learning on the job

IT is more likely to have changed someone's work rather than led to them losing their job. People in certain professions have had to be retrained to make use of modern technology:

• Secretaries now use word processors and not typewriters.
• Travel agents book holidays by computer, not by phone or letter.
• Telephone banking has meant that many bank staff now work by phone in front of a computer, instead of being in a branch, behind a counter.
• De-skilling has taken place. Some jobs which needed a high level of skill in the past can now be done more easily. For example, print workers today can use DTP softwaredesktop publishing: an application that allows text and images to be laid out on a page to lay out their work.
• Designers now use CAD softwareComputer Aided Design (CAD) software: used extensively in the automotive industry, aerospace industry, and in architectural design to draw 2D and 3D designs rather than pencil and paper on a drawing board.

Better quality products

• Products made with computers should be of a better quality than before. For example, car bodies are welded more accurately by robots than by humans.
• Robots don't get tired so the quality of work is consistent.
• Machines controlled by computer are more reliable than those controlled by humans.
• Miniaturisation - many electrical items, such as mobile phones and video cameras have become much smaller due to developments in technology.

Effects of e-commerce on businesses

High street stores now find themselves competing with each other for business both on the high street and online.

Selling goods online

Advantages

• opens the market to customers nationally and internationally
• enables smaller companies to compete with larger companies
• reduces in staffing and/or high street stores thereby reducing costs
• provides the option to offer 24 hour shopping at minimum additional cost

Disadvantages

• Stiffer competition - businesses once competing with the shop in the next town now find themselves competing on a global scale.
• Staff reductions - with increased competition, local companies may have to reduce their work force.
• Cost of restructuring - the move to e-commerce may not be a smooth one and will certainly require a degree of investment.
• Customer concerns - if high street stores are closed in an effort to save money, customers who prefer to shop on the high street may not be comfortable buying online so may go elsewhere.

Increased dependancy on the Internet

Now, both for companies and individuals, there is pressure to have Internet access to do everyday things such as submit orders or look up details in a catalogue. There are initiatives to make as many services available on the Internet as possible, including e-government, where government departments such as the Inland Revenue can be dealt with using secure websiteswebsite: a web page or group of web pages hosted on one web server and viewed in a web browser.

Teleworking

Teleworking, sometimes called telecommuting, means working from home using modern technology to keep in touch with your business. Jobs can be relocated to places where it is more attractive, more convenient or cheaper to live.

Technology required for teleworking

• a computer with InternetInternet: a global network connecting millions of computers access
• an emailemail: electronic mail - a message written or typed on a computer and sent electronically rather than by post account

Some teleworkers may also use:

• a faxfax: a technology used to digitise hard copies of documents, transfer them across the telephone network, and print them on receipt machine
• a mobile phone
• videoconferencing equipment

Advantages for the employer

• Office running costs and overheads (rates, electricity, heating etc) can be reduced, which in turn may reduce the need for office space.
• Travel-related problems may be reduced, ie staff being unable to get into work due to rail/road delays.
• It may tempt better staff to come and work for the company.

Disadvantage for the employer

• Employers need to be able to trust their staff and be prepared to have less direct control over them.

Advantages for the employee

• work in a comfortable environment - their home
• no commute and no travel costs
• work around their family's needs

Disadvantages for the employee

• less human interaction - fewer opportunities to meet people, share ideas with etc.
• more difficult to work as part of a team, especially if they're all office based
• greater temptation to spend time on non-work-related activities
• difficult to separate personal life from work

Video conferencing

Video conferencing means using computers to provide a video-link between two or more people. Instead of just talking to someone by telephone, you are able to see them as well.

Equipment

The following is needed to take part in a video conference call:

• a computer
• a web cam
• a microphone (most webcams have a microphone built-in)
• speakers
• broadbandbroadband: high speed Internet access InternetInternet: a global network connecting millions of computers access
• video conferencing softwaresoftware: a general term used to describe an application or a program

It is possible to buy a special video conferencing machine just for this purpose.

Advantages of video conferencing

• Meetings can take place without leaving the office.
• Travel costs and the time taken to travel can be reduced significantly.
• Meetings can be called instantly worldwide with little notice.
• Delegates can still attend meetings even if they are physically unable to.

Disadvantages of video conferencing

• May not be as productive as a discussion around a table.
• Confidential documents may need to be viewed and signed in person.
• There will always be times when you need to be able to meet face to face.

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