Social Implications General Purpose Packages

Effects on Jobs & Careers Types of job Retraining Employment Working conditions Mail Shots Increased paper

Effects on Types of Jobs Before: Large number of typists entering data. –Slow & regular mistakes After: A small number of data entry employees. –Faster & more accurate.

Retraining Trained on how to use hardware & software. Updating training with new hardware & software. Therefore retraining will occur throughout their career.

Effects on Employment Do we need as many employees? No and Yes. –Less in areas of jobs such as factories and administration. –More in areas of training and creating and repairing hardware and software. Many will loose their jobs but new types of jobs are now going to be available.

Working Conditions Modern offices should have: –Less stored paper & filing cabinets –A quieter atmosphere without noisy typewriters –Adjustable seats & monitors to improve user comfort –Good lighting, curtains to reduce glare. But: –Issues still exist with RSI (repetitive strain injury) –Monitors can damage eyesight. –Human communication can break down.

Other Effects Mail Shots –Otherwise known as junk mail. –Companies send out flyers, etc to promote new customers. –Uses DTP and word processing. Increased paper –Introduction of computers should mean the paperless office. –Today it is believed that more paper is used. –Instead of phoning people send s which are then printed out. –It is harder to read from a monitor than from paper.

Economic Implications General Purpose Packages

Economic Issues Initial Costs –Hardware and software are expensive to purchase at first. –Staffing costs may be reduced. –Training costs will increase –Adequate backup is essential. Replacement Costs –Things break!

Economic Issues Running Costs –Operating and maintaining equipment: Paper, ink or toner cartridges Repair& Maintenance of hardware Insurance & security of hardware and data Updating software, etc Staffing Costs –Less staff maybe but new jobs required qualified professionals meaning higher wages. £$£$£$£$£$£$ £$£$£$£$£$