Impact of technology

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Todays business environment requires a certain level of competence. Its important to understand that one to have basic communication skills and can not rely on technology totally or let it overwhelm the communication process. Employees who are comfortable using technology have a competitive edge over others. Communication is about people connecting with people irrespective of technology.
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Companies who can use technology wisely can communicate more effectively and therefore compete more successfully. Benefits of technology are not automatic. Spend time and money wisely on technology. Disengage from the computer frequently to communicate in person.
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Technology is an aid to interpersonal communication, not a replacement for it. ii. Technology cant think for you or communicate for you. iii. If you lack some essential skills(e.g. writing or interpersonal) then technology probably cannot fill the gaps. iv. Your spell checker is happy to run all your words through the dictionary , but it doesnt know whether you are using the correct words or crafting powerful sentences.
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The sheer number of possibilities in many technological tools can get in the way of successful communication. E.g. , power point presentation: if overloaded, if visuals more , then content of a message is obscured. vi. If technology system is not adapted to user or organizations needs , people wont use it effectively or worse not use it at all. vii. Another extreme is it could be addictive to the point of craving by workers to be connected round the clock.
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Communication technology can save time and money and can also waste them if not used effectively and efficiently. You dont have to be an expert but you need to be familiar with the basic features and functions of the tools you are expected to use on the job. Sufficient training to employees is a must.
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New generation of digital technology. Right tool for right situation can enhance communication. Flexible office setting. Distance minimal and immaterial now. Manufacturers use tools to track shipments and customers to stay well informed. E.g. Sun Microsystems.
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Tools redefining the office. Tools used for collaborating and communicating remotely Tools used for communicating about product and services. Tools used for communicating with the customers.

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Flexible Workstations : docking stations in office. Wireless Networks: laptop PCs with wireless access cards let workers stay connected to the network from practically anywhere within the office ,any desk, any conference room and offers high speed internet access within range of a wireless access point.
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Intranets : a private computer network that simplifies information sharing within the company.

Intranets can handle:

Company e-mails Instant messaging(IM) Websites Internet phone connections

To ensure security of company information, intranets are shielded from the public internet.
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Electronic presentations : combining a colour projector with a laptop or personal digital assistant (PDA) running the right software lets people give informative business presentations that are enhanced with sound, animation, and even website hyperlinks.

Provides flexibility and editing option to make last minute changes as everything is in electronic form.
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Follow Me Phone Service: callers use one number to reach the person anywhere- at the office, a remote site, a home office.

The system automatically forwards calls to a list of preprogrammed numbers and transfers unanswered calls to voice mail. No juggling of multiple numbers is required.

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Teamwork is essential. Difficulty arises if team members are working in different parts of the company in different time zones or even for different companies. Technology helps bridge the distance by making it possible to brainstorm, attend virtual meetings and share files from widely separated locations. Saves money on travel without compromising on benefits of face-to-face collaboration.
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Wall display : instead of using a white board during meetings , brain storming, Wall Displays take it a step further, leting participants transmit their words and diagrams to distant colleagues via the corporate intranet.

Users can even share the virtual pen to make changes and additions from more than one location.
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Web Based Meetings : workers can actively participate in web based meetings by logging on from a desktop PC, laptop or cell phone.

Websites like Web Ex help users to integrate voice text , and video and lets them share applications such as Microsoft Power Point and Microsoft Word in a single browser window.

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Internet Videophone : person-to-person video calling has long been possible through popular IM programs.

Internet videophones lets multiple users participate in a video conference without the expense and complexity of a full-fledged video conferencing system. Some services are flexible enough to include telecommuters who have broadband connections.
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Shared Workspaces : online workspaces such as eRoom and Groove make it easy for far flung team members to access shared files anywhere anytime.

Accessible through a browser , the workspace contains a collection of folders and has built-in intelligence to control which team members can read, edit , and save specific files.

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Video Conferencing and Tele-presence : less costly than travel.

Same experience and benefits as in-person meeting. Advanced systems include tele-presence and robot surrogates, which use computers to place participants in the room virtually.

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Targeted at customers. The ability to easily access and share the latest information improves the flow and timing of supplies , operating costs , and boasts financial performance. Right product to consumer at the right time.

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RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) : throughout the distribution chain , from factories to ships to warehouses to retail shelves, companies can replace manual tracking and reporting with automated systems that monitor small radio-frequency identification tags attached to goods and containers.
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Extranets : extranets are secure , private computer networks that use internet technology to share business information with suppliers and vendors, partners and customers.

Its like an extension of the company intranet that is available to people outside the organization by invitation only.

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Wireless Warehouses: FedEx/UPS have an edge over their competitors due to advanced communication technology.

Hand worn scanners use wireless links to help warehouse personnel access instant information that lets them process more packages in less time at transit hubs.

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Package Tracking : senders and receivers often want frequent updates when packages are in transit.

Handheld devices such as FedEx Power Pad enhance customer service by letting them know by instantly uploading updates. It aids drivers by automatically receiving weather advisories.

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Supply Chain Management : advanced software applications let suppliers, manufacturers, and retailers share information even when they have incompatible computer systems.

Improved information flow increases report accuracy and helps each company in the supply chain manage stock levels.

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Over the Shoulder Support : for online shoppers who need instant help, many retail websites make it easy to connect with a live sales representative via phone or IM.

The representative can provide solutions and wit permission even control the shoppers browser to help locate a particular item.

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2) Corporate Blogs : (Mena Trott : Six Apart)

Web based journals let companies offer advice, answer questions, and promote the benefits of their products and services. Elements of a successful blog include frequent updates and the participation of knowledgeable contributors. Adding a subtle mix of useful commentary and marketing messages helps customers read and listen.
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Pod casting : with the portability and convenience of downloadable audio and video recordings, podcasts have quickly become a popular means of delivering everything from college lectures to marketing messages.

Podcasts are also used for internal communication , replacing conference calls, newsletters and other traditional communication vehicles.
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In-store Kiosks : Staples is among the retailers that let shoppers buy from the web while they are still in the store.

Web-connected kiosks were originally used to let shoppers custom-configure their PCs, but now they give customers access to roughly 8000 instore items as well as to the 50000 products available online.

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Help lines : some customers prefer the personal touch of contact by phone.

Some companies assign special ID numbers that let them jump the queue. Foreign language speakers are connected to people who can reply them in their language and assist them.

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Waste of man hours in personal social networking, e-mails, blogging etc. Restrict blogs etc as company information leaks. Some companies allow fixed hours to allow use. Cases and legal issues/lawsuits as sexual harassment issues of inappropriate images on your desktop. E-mail and IM are considered legal documents and both can be used as evidence in lawsuits or criminal trials.

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Technology can overwhelm communication. E.g. if you ask your colleague how was your sales presentation? and the answer you receive is a text saying fine, then, what does it mean? Is an order expected soon? Did your colleague lose the sale and doesnt want to talk about it? Was the client rude? People wont know you if you stay hidden behind technology. As technological options increases, people seem to need the human touch even more.
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