Progress leisure OCR GCSE ICT

Communication methods When working in a team, establishing and maintaining communication is key. Without clear, open channels of communication, team members can drift away from the original purpose or new ideas cannot be circulated. A team leader can also use communication methods to monitor the progress of the individual parts of the product to make sure they are on schedule to meet the final deadline.

Communication methods Voice over Internet Protocol VoIP is a relatively new technology which allows users to make phone calls over the Internet. Voice over internet protocol, users will use internet connection to make calls. When making a telephone call, data is sent as packets. Doesn't use a standard phone network.

How does VoIP work? How does it work? The technology is fairly straight-forward: You speak into a microphone that is connected to a sound card. The sound card has an 'Analogue-to- Digital converter' that translates your speech into a digital stream. That data is given a destination address and off it goes like any other data stream. The receiving computer has the right VOIP software to convert the incoming data back into speech

Using with mobile phone? How does it work? Mobile phones use VoIP software to make internet calls. Voice conversation is broken down into packets and transmitted like a web page using packet switching

Packet switching? How does it work? Packet switching is used in data networks, rather than circuit switching as it is more efficient. Packet switching divides data into small blocks. This is routed through a series of paths, rather than sending data over one dedicated line.

VoIP between two phone lines? How does it work? Phone number is inputted into VoIP software call processor. Number is checked to see if it is valid. Number is mapped and translated by software call processor into an IP address. Two devices are connected by a software switch, other phone rings. Other phone is answered and connection is made.

How to Skype to Skype on mobile? How does it work? Download and install Skype software. Create a username and password. Add Skype contacts. To make Skype- to-Skype calls they must login and, select a contact and press Call.

softphones? How does it work? Softphones are software applications, used to make VoIP calls by computers or mobiles.

PBX – Private branch exchange? How does it work? Private branch exchange is where businesses use a private telephone network. Staff can make communicate internally and externally via SHARED lines. .

Using a PBX – Private branch exchange? How does it work? Would allow staff to make external calls via SHARED lines and to communicate internally. They could use softphones or mobiles to make VoIP calls with other softphones, mobiles or landlines. .

Advantages of VoIP The advantage of VOIP using the internet is that at its most basic the system is essentially free as long as you have an Internet connection. The next step-up is to use a VOIP service company such as Skype. They may offer a free service if you call other subscribers and then charge for other calls.

disadvantages of VoIP Disadvantages Both ends have to have the right software and hardware to speak to one another There is no guarantee of quality when using the Internet - no one company owns the internet, so if a part of it is broken there is no-one to call to fix it. It uses packet-switching so if packets get dropped along the way then voice quality drops. Even when fully working, it is not as high a quality of voice as a normal telephone line. It does not work if you have a power-cut, unlike your normal telephone. It may not work for emergency service numbers. Sometimes you just can't tell the emergency services where you are, so they use some standard telephone location technology to help locate you. With VOIP this is more difficult.

Alternative communication methods Progress Leisure

Communication methods Email Distribution lists allow one email to be sent to several people at the same time. You can also keep a record of decisions by saving emails.

Communication methods Forums An online forum can be set to private so only the members of the team can post messages about the project.

Communication methods Chatrooms These can also be set to private and allow team members to chat one-to-one or as a group in real time.

Communication methods Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) VLEs are systems which support learning and collaborative activities and usually are accessible online to registered members. They provide a wide range of tools for allowing communication between members, including: the sharing of resources digital communications in forums and chatrooms a central place for project matters connection to the project team from any Internet-enabled machine in the world.

Communication methods Instant messaging This allows team members to talk one-to- one with each other in real time.

Communication methods Intranet This is a network which is restricted to certain users, usually within one company. It can allow files to be shared, storing them in a central area for authorised users to access.

Communication methods Extranet Similar to an Intranet, this also allows some connectivity to external parties, usually through a website.

Communication methods Web conferencing This enables communication via the Internet using sound and vision through a webcam and microphone. Web conferencing is also known as browser- based conferencing.

Communication methods Online whiteboard This allows users to write messages to each other, including drawing pictures which can be useful when discussing designs and ideas. An example of this is www.skrbl.com, which allows users to ‘scribble’.

Communication methods Online collaborative organiser Most diary programs will allow users to give permission for others to view their appointments. This can be useful when trying to organise meetings with several different people. Microsoft Outlook has this facility as does Google Calendar.

questions Define the term 'VoIP communication‘. Describe how a mobile phone can use VoIP communication technique. Explain the term 'packet switching‘. Describe how a VoIP session is established between two phones. Define the term 'PBX‘. Describe how Progress Leisure might use a virtual PBX Describe how a new user will install the software and make a call using the Skype-to-Skype method. Define the term 'Softphone‘. Describe a cost-saving advantage Progress Leisure would gain by using VoIP communication. Select two other commination methods that Progress Leisure might use and explain the benefits.

answers 1) Define the term 'VoIP communication‘. Voice over internet protocol, users will use internet connection to make calls. When making a telephone call, data is sent as packets. Doesn't use a standard phone network. 2) Describe how a mobile phone can use VoIP communication technique. Mobile phones use VoIP software to make internet calls. Voice conversation is broken down into packets and transmitted like a web page using packet switching 3) Explain the term 'packet switching‘. Packet switching is used in data networks, rather than circuit switching as it is more efficient. Packet switching divides data into small blocks. This is routed through a series of paths, rather than sending data over one dedicated line. 4) Describe how a VoIP session is established between two phones. Phone number is inputted into VoIP software call processor. Number is checked to see if it is valid. Number is mapped and translated by software call processor into an IP address. Two devices are connected by a software switch, other phone rings. Other phone is answered and connection is made. 5) Define the term 'PBX‘. Private branch exchange is where businesses use a private telephone network. Staff can make communicate internally and externally via SHARED lines.

answers 6) Describe how Progress Leisure might use a virtual PBX To allow staff to make external calls via SHARED lines and to communicate internally. They could use softphones or mobiles to make VoIP calls with other softphones, mobiles or landlines. 7) Describe how a new user will install the software and make a call using the Skype-to-Skype method. Download and install Skype software. Create a username and password. Add Skype contacts. To make Skype-to-Skype calls they must login and, select a contact and press Call. 8) Define the term 'Softphone‘. Softphones are software applications, used to make VoIP calls by computers or mobiles. 9) Describe a cost-saving advantage Progress Leisure would gain by using VoIP communication. Lower-call costs as a VoIP service is cheaper than a telephone network, large savings can be made on international calls. 10) Select two other commination methods that Progress Leisure might use and explain the benefits.