Analysing the "Good Old Days"

Two different office applications that could be used by the small business to improve upon the paper-based systems employed in the 1970s could be Microsoft Excel and MS Works Spreadsheets.

Two advantages of Microsoft Excel over the paper-based system are that formulas can be used to carry out mathematical calculations which can be replicated down and cross the columns and rows. Another advantage is that you are able to link worksheets together so that you can calculate complex calculations and budgets. Two advantages of MS Works over the paper-based system are that is that if there is not a mistake, the whole sheet does not need to be retyped, you can simply ‘write over’ the mistake. In addition, you are able to copy and paste, which means that if there is any data that can be replicated, you can do that simply, instead of having to retype it again.

One advantage of a spreadsheet is that you are able to work out complex calculations with out the need to use a calculator or work it out yourself. This is advantageous as you do not need to do this and it is less likely that there will be a human error.
Secretaries’ and typists’ employment prospects were affected by the advent of these office packages because now it was easier and faster for just one person to do the work of many and as this was more cost effective than employing a number of people, many unfortunately would have lost their jobs.

A number of new job opportunities were opened up by the advent of office applications for example some secretaries and typists jobs changed into personal assistants, there would need to be a number of technicians who were able to troubleshoot, when these applications failed. In addition, there would need to be trainers who would be able to teach employees how to use the applications effectively and there would be more jobs in the production of IT equipment as more and more equipment was being purchased.

Tool Man

"John is a sales representative selling tools to garden centres and DIY stores. He travels over 1000 miles a week to see new and existing clients. For the past 20 years he has carried around a large diary, an address book, a large road atlas and numerous A-Zs as well as numerous small coins for phones. He prides himself on his punctuality, but even he is occasionally late as he struggles to find a new client or is delayed by traffic. He always takes along a calculator, and a bulky sales catalogue with the latest price lists and order forms. He is usually on the road four days a week, six hours a day and spends every Friday in the office ensuring all his administration and sales are handled properly. He has always said he quite likes the time spend in his car between appointments, as it is his time when he can listen to CDs undisturbed."

John could use a number of ICT technologies to change and hopefully improve his working style, these include: PDA, GPS, Laptop, software, Mobile phone, and the internet.

A PDA is a Personal Digital Assistant; this would be an extremely useful device for him because it could be used instead of his large diary and an address book. All the information contained within the books can be entered into this device which is relatively small and light compared with his books. In addition, a PDA allows the user to search for an address or an appointment in his diary, which means that this is more efficient than looking through a diary or address book looking for the correct details.

A GPS is a Global Positing System; this piece of equipment would be useful to John because this would replace his road atlas and his numerous A-Zs. This piece of equipment uses satellites and software to guide user to their destination. By using a GPS John will saving time searching for his destinations, in his A-Zs, as he will only be required to enter the postcode of his destination and then he will be guided there. As John prides himself on his punctuality, a GPS will give him accurate times for when he is going to arrive at his destination, this will help him to ensure that he arrives on time. May GPS systems today have IQ routes, which mean that they sent the user of different routes depending on what day and time they are travelling. In addition, you are able to avoid routes if you hear that one is blocked, and some GPS systems automatically change routes if it knows that there is a delay on yours. By using this piece of equipment John is likely to save himself a lot of time, which would be important to a busy many such as him.

A laptop again would be a useful piece of equipment for John as he would be able to store a wide and a large quantity of data onboard. He would be able to upload his product catalogues on the laptop, and will then be able to show clients the products onscreen. In order to ensure that his laptop in full working order, he will have to have a number of software applications already installed, this will allow him to carry out a range of tasks such as work processing. The internet would allow John to access a wide variety of infomation, and will also allow him to send emails to his clients.

John having access to a mobile phone would mean that he would not need to take coins with him so that he could use a payphone; he would be able to make a phone call whenever it was necessary and wherever he was, providing that there is a signal.

However, there are a number of possible implications for him in employing a lot of ICT, these include: loss of data, getting lost, no signal, losses a piece of equipment etc. To overcome these problems, I recomend that John has a back-up of all his data and may wish to have a hard copy of his data and maps in the boot of his car, because he will then be able to use them if there is a problem with any of his equipment.

Online Entertainment

The following is a list of all the online entertainment technologies I have used in the last three months:
· BBC iplayer
· ITV catch-up
· Youtube
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BBC iplayer is targeted at a wide range of people, this is because there a number of programmes online which can be watched at your disposal. This service is enhanced by being online because it allows users to choose what, where, and when they watch their programmes, at the BBC says this facility makes the unmissable, unmissable. The current limitations are that tat not all programmes are available online, and it take sometimes take a while for the videos to start and they sometimes stop and buffer while you are watching. This is similar to the IVT catch-up service. I prefer watching ITV programmes online, because you don’t get as many adverts as you usually do. Both the services work fine at the moment, and are accessible by users, however, I think that in the future these two companies should look at making the videos of a higher quality.