Archive for the ‘Technology on Business’ category

The Role of Information Technology in Business

August 11th, 2011

The Role of Information Technology in Business

IT (Information technology) provides commercial and industrial systems for businesses. These systems enable businesses to function effectively and efficiently.

The use of information technology systems in a business environment can be classified into four broad categories, namely, function, communication, management and enterprise.

Function IT Systems

These applications allow individuals to function effectively in the workplace. Examples of these systems are word processors, spreadsheets, statistical analysis software and computer aided design (CAD). Employees can work and perform their task individually or collectively using these software technologies.

Network IT Systems

Network IT allow effective communication within and outside an organisation. Examples range from simple e-mail (electronic mail) to blogs, wiki, IM (instant messaging) and electronic conferencing. These technologies promote interaction and collaboration among working groups and also facilitate quick information flow at all levels.

Management IT systems

MITS is a planned application that is designed to process data and transform it into useful information for management decision making.

In general, MIS are subsets of Enterprise IT systems. However, because of the vital role MIS play in a business environment, it is considered here as a major information technology for businesses.

Management operates at different levels and so it is possible to apply management information systems at these varied levels.

Basic examples of management information systems are human resources management systems, financial management information systems and marketing management information systems.

Enterprise IT Systems

Enterprise IT systems are technologies designed to integrate and manage entire business processes for large organisations. Typically, enterprise application software is hosted on large servers over a computer network. Transmission of information can either be internal or external.

Examples of enterprise information systems may be accounting software, health care specific software or electronic data Interchange (EDI). Another example of software within this category is CRM (Customer relationship management software).

Information technology plays various roles in business, and provides a huge range of capabilities that enhance management performance. It is therefore important to understand the four major categories of IT systems and their functions in a business environment.

By Lola Adegbulu

Advanced Technology for Business Mobile Phones

August 10th, 2011

Advanced Technology for Business Mobile Phones

Everyday we see a further advance in the technology and science of mobile phones. Just when we have finished shaking our heads at the last amazing breakthrough, a new innovation comes onto the market – now designers tend to be focusing their efforts on data capture solutions and the business world. How can remote workers be managed cost effectively? How can real time information be transferred within business processes even faster?

Streamlining remote working

More and more businesses employees are finding they are working remotely rather than at one set station. In order to deal with changes and structure effective mobile workforce management, the business mobile phone has been essential in creating an immediate form of communication between remote worker and his base management. It also allows the worker to communicate more effectively with the client. If there is a need for delays or spontaneous meetings, the mobile phone is streamlining business processes, enhancing customer interaction and ultimately increasing efficiency and productivity.

The problem has always been transferring complex information real-time from a workforce working remotely to the business hub. Any delay (i.e. waiting for the employee to return to base; create and the information on another application such as a laptop;) could lead to missed sales opportunities; information just being lost because it could not be retained appropriately; or customer relations suffering.

Data capture solutions for the work environment

Along with the big names such as Nokia, Vodaphone Blackberry and Orange, esay have taken the problem data capture in the business world and produced the Workmobile which apart from answering the above problems it could well lead to reducing overheads for businesses. For instance – no need for those heavy laptops anymore!

Workmobile works with all other big mobile phone companies and offers a streamlined data capture solution. It allows the business manager to create bespoke forms which are related to the information which is needed within any Job role. The employee working remotely is able to bring up the form on his mobile phone (any make of mobile phone) and immediately fill in the appropriate details and information as he receives them. When submitted his head office receives them in seconds and can act on them straight away.

This could have an enormous effect on business processes and current data capture solution methods. It could be used in the private and public sector for such work as questionnaires, petitions, customer transactions, lead generation, and credit applications. The feeling is it could even have an effect in the medical world as well. If you take a scenario where an employee becomes unwell while working abroad, validation of insurance which is always needed before treatment could be forwarded in real time.

It must also mean processes themselves will become more effective and efficient. The employee would not be under so much pressure to retain information until he can forward the information through another application; bigger and more expensive hardware could take more of a backseat, (so reducing costs) and the employee is more free to create further positive production.

By Nick Cassells

Expanding Your Business? Take Advantage Of Technology With Business Hosting

August 7th, 2011

Expanding Your Business? Take Advantage Of Technology With Business Hosting

Are you a business owner who wants to put your name online? What you need is a trustworthy business hosting package. Whether you want to increase your sales, collect leads or just want to distribute information, having a reliable foundation is the core of business success.

It sure isn’t easy to reach the economic tier where you are now. You have put in so much hard work for your business; for it to maintain its operation, and for it to expand and grow. Now that you are well placed in your local market, it is time to go for the next step: business hosting!

Conquering the World Wide Web

Business hosting is an internet tool that could help an entrepreneur or business executive like you to widen your business reach even more. With this nifty tool, you can reach the furthest nook across the country and offer your services and products. Defined by the Tech Target as, “the business of housing, serving, and maintaining files for one or more Web sites,” getting a web host for your business means you are reaching out to your target market in the web, and that you are finally solidifying your online presence.

Best to be Prepared

Before you grab a business hosting partner however, you must first familiarize yourself with the following terms:

  • Up-time Percentage
  • Tech Support
  • Storage Space
  • Ecommerce

These terms will help you understand the intricacies of setting up your online presence.

‘Up-time Percentage’ refers to the number of hours that your business would be accessible to the public. The most ideal up-time percentage is ‘five nines,’ 99.999%, which means that your store’s website would be inaccessible only for around five minutes or so in one year of downtime. During this period, your customers would not be able to browse through your products or worse, they won’t be able to place their orders.

‘Tech support’ pertains to the staff that takes care of system glitches in your business website. It is really important that you get a business hosting provider with a strong tech support team, so that your concerns would be addressed promptly and properly.

The third term you need to be familiar with is ‘storage space.’ This determines how much space you may have for your websites, as you sell your product using pictures and videos. Basic packages usually offer 600 gig storage space, and it is important that you claim this much as you close a deal with a hosting partner.

‘Ecommerce’ refers to the quantity and quality of shopping tools that your customers may utilize in your site. The credibility of your store is also dependent on this feature, as a secure server and a good database builder are crucial factors for an online store to be trusted by clients.

With these features in mind, you are now ready to look for your business hosting provider. Have great time hunting!

By James Clarke

The Importance OF IPTV And Other Technologies To Business

August 5th, 2011

The Importance OF IPTV And Other Technologies To Business

After HDTV, digital cable and satellite service, IPTV technology is now changing the television industry enormously. This new science presents a creative system of presenting television programmes to your televisions. IPTV or Internet Protocol Television has arrived at last and it is being driven forward by the rich telecommunications industry. It will offer better interactivity and will also enhance competition levels in so far as the sale of TV units go.

Internet Protocol Television is all about generating a solution that is capable of receiving and also displaying video streams which are encoded as a variety of IP packets. Most people that have viewed videos on their computer screens could have already made use of IPTV in a very general sense. When most people think about this specific service, they regularly think that it is about watching brilliant quality television programmes whose pictures are smooth and of a really high resolution and there is also no lag in the picture.

To start with, IPTV technology was only known to the phone companies but at this moment TV companies are joining in and are willing to offer benefits such as data, voice and video. In order to make excellent use of IPTV technology, it is necessary to have a set top box which will be used to connect the DSL line in your home or office and which also reassembles the packets that have been sent.

A PC or laptop can also do precisely the same job but the problem is that not too many people have an additional PC that they can insert next to their television sets. This is why the set top box is used.

Any industry today embracing technologies such as IPTV and professional Audio Visual solutions are investing sensibly for the future.

In this crazy world of technological innovations, new sciences will most likely destroy traditional markets and will create some new ones in their place. Voice over IP or VoIP is an example of these kinds of new technologies and so too is IPTV technology. The fact is, a good number of people believe that television is going to change substantially. The new face of technology may well be a great deal more entertaining and personalised and there will be much more information available and also better connectivity as well.

Currently the Internet Protocol Television business is divided into different segments that include things like TELCOS/ISP and IPTV on Public Internet Networks along with Hospitality. It won’t be wrong to determine that this innovative science as well as Broadband Multimedia Services is capable of crossing the limitations of satellite mediums and cable. It can offer limitless opportunities to distribute television and/or video content.

By John J King

Impact of Technology on Business

August 3rd, 2011

Impact of Technology on Business

Together with the advancement of science and technology, technological innovations grew along with it, resulting to the emergence of new equipment and gadgets. No matter how big or small your company is, technology brings both intangible and tangible benefits to become cost efficient and to meet the growing demands and needs of customers. Technological innovations affect corporate efficiency, culture and relationship among employees, clients, suppliers and customers. The type and quality of technology used affect the security of confidential business information.

Due to the burden brought by administrative tasks, like inventory, bookkeeping and records keeping, both big and small companies rely on computers to do their administrative works. The birth of Internet and online social networking sites tremendously decreased the costs of business operations. It also makes it easier for companies to use the Six Sigma management methodologies. Some firms shifted to outsourcing instead of hiring their own personnel due to the low costs associated with it. Because of the huge impact of technological innovations to companies, it is impossible for them to live with it.

Commonly used high technology equipment:

  • Computers
  • Photocopier
  • Telephone
  • Computer printer
  • Internet
  • Paper shredder
  • Multimedia projector
  • Touch screen monitors
  • Computer mouse
  • Laptop computers

Advantages of Technology to Business:

  • Customer Relations. Technology affects the way companies communicate and establish relations with their clients. In a fast moving and business environment, it is vital for them to interact with clients regularly and quickly to gain their trust and to obtain customer loyalty. With the use of Internet and online social networks, firms interact with consumers and answer all their queries about the product. Establishing effective communication with customers not only creates rapport with them, but it also creates strong public image. It allows business enterprises to reduce and to cut carbon dioxide emissions.
  • Business Operations. With the use of technological innovations, business owners and entrepreneur understand their cash flow better, how to manage their storage costs well and enables you to save time and money.
  • Corporate Culture. Technology lets employees communicate and interact with other employees in other countries. It establishes clique and prevents social tensions from arising.
  • Security. Modern security equipment enables companies to protect their financial data, confidential business information and decisions.
  • Research Opportunities. It provides a venue to conduct studies to keep themselves ahead of competitors. It allows companies to virtually travel into unknown markets.
  • Corporate Reports. With technology, business enterprises communicate effectively with their branch offices to deliver quality financial and operational reports.
  • Industrial Productivity. Through the use of business software programs or software packages, it automated traditional manufacturing process, reduces labor costs and enhances manufacturing productivity. It enables companies to increase efficiency and production output.
  • Business mobility. Technological innovations improved companies’ sales, services, shorted lead time on receiving and delivering goods and services. Enables them to penetrate multiple markets at least costs.
  • Research capacity. It enables them to conduct studies on various companies to gain knowledge on the new trends in the market and way on avoiding them.
By Matthew Hohn
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