Form 5 POB Term 1 – Unit 10 Thurs. 28th Sept.

2023

Technology (ICT) in improving business Essential POB,4th Ed. pg 261

 Speedier transactions can occur as communication processes are much faster.

 Easier data storage – internal and external devices such as flash drives and cloud storage
allow businesses to store large amounts of information.
 Improved information sharing – search engines (eg.google) have allowed people to access
information uploaded by anyone. People have access to information in many different forms
such as documents, pictures, videos, websites etc.
 Automation – technology has allowed more production to take place by using machinery
instead of human labour. Machinery can be used to do repetitive tasks which are usually done
more efficiently than humans.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VKS1iokbEZ0 Impact of Information Technology in business (3.09 mins.)

Benefits of Technology to business Essential POB,4th Ed. pg 261

 It reaches more customers as almost everyone has a device that they can access information
on.
 It streamlines business operations as it ensures the smooth transition of one process to
another. Fast feedback from one department to another allows transactions to be carried out
more rapidly.
 It reduces costs as it cuts down on duplication of processes. There is no need for two sets of
people to be doing the same task, therefore cutting down on cost, improving efficiency and
maximizing profits. This also helps reduce wastage in the business.
 More time is spent on developing the business instead of overseeing regular mechanical
transactions.
 It helps provide better services to customers as more and more businesses are competing for
online customers.
 Better relationships with suppliers as there is frequent communication through technology.
 Allows customers to better guide the business by provide feedback to the business and other
customers and they can post their comments about the product.
Unethical use of technology Essential POB,4th Ed. pg 258

 Security issues – people abuse technology by hacking information, accessing personal

information and sharing information that should not be shared.
 Privacy issues – information can be gathered about people using ‘cookies’ and through
information we put on social media sites such as Facebook, Twitter, Instagram etc.
Businesses often pay money to obtain this information.
 Intellectual Property (Copyright) Infringement – people break copyright rules by copying
software and other products. This often results in losses to the person who created the work.
 Impact on Humans – less face-to-face communication is carried out as people prefer to
communicate through their cellphones. People become less sociable. Technology has also led
to an increase in cyberbullying.
 Distraction – people spend so much time on their cellphones that it has become a distraction
in the workplace as people are always checking their messages.

Please watch this video:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XNeNB75ThzE&t=371s

Amazons business, technology and future – short documentary (14.07 mins.)