Section 1 The History of Technology
Technology has changed the way people do business. Technological inventions have created new products, new markets, and new jobs.
e-workforce e-commerce people who work with computers while doing business using the Internet to do business digital workflow linking all the steps in a process digitally
Technology refers to the tools and machines that people have invented to make life easier. The most common technology staple in business today is the computer.
An early invention that had a huge impact on business was the telephone. Cordless phones, cell phones, and radio telephones became useful tools for business and consumers.
Cell phones are not just phones—they are small computers. Fax machines use telephone lines to send images.
In the past 60 years, electronic devices have revolutionized business and society. Business and consumers demand smaller, faster, cheaper, and more powerful electronic devices.
The computer has created a boom in nearly all industries. Personal digital assistants (PDAs) let users send , list contacts, and access the Internet.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the e-workforce consists of more than 77 million workers. e-workforce people who work with computers while doing business
Electronic commerce, or e-commerce, allows businesses to reach customers directly anywhere in the world. e-commerce using the Internet to do business
New markets have opened up for products such as printers, fax machines, video games, and cell phones. Innovation means more jobs and more people learning new skills.
By switching to a digital workflow, companies use less paper. digital workflow linking all the steps in a process digitally
The digital workflow means that more people have easier access to a broad range of information. Library catalogs and encyclopedias are available in digital format.
High-tech industry can be found everywhere, but especially in these technology centers: California’s Silicon Valley New York’s Silicon Alley Oregon’s Silicon Forest Austin, Texas’s Silicon Hill
The Internet has created a demand for: Software writers Online writers Web page designers
Companies post job opportunities in several locations: On their homepage In newspaper’s online classified section Internet job services, such as Monster.com
Section 2 E-Commerce
Businesses offer all types of goods and services online. Consumers can research almost any product or service from their home. They can buy just about anything online. Main Idea
start-up e-tail a newly formed business that is usually small electronic retail multi-channel retailer bricks-and- mortar a business that sells its goods or services in stores, by mail, and online actual buildings
clicks-and mortar e-ticket businesses that use the Internet in addition to physical locations to sell goods and services electronic ticket
The ease of doing business via the Internet has created a boom in virtual businesses. The Internet makes it possible to communicate online with customers and clients around the world.
Some Internet businesses are start-ups. start-up a newly formed business that is usually small Many entrepreneurs have started virtual businesses from their homes.
Figure 9.1
An e-tail store sells products over the Internet through e-commerce. e-tail electronic retail
A multi-channel retailer uses various methods to sell products. multi-channel retailer a business that sells goods or services in stores, by mail, and online
Businesses often call their stores and warehouses bricks-and-mortar. bricks-and-mortar actual buildings
Bookstore chain Barnes & Noble is an example of a clicks-and-mortar company. clicks-and-mortar businesses that use the Internet in addition to physical locations to sell goods and services
Some people find that purchasing an e-ticket is easier and cheaper than visiting an actual store. e-ticket electronic ticket
Technology refers to the ______ that people have invented to make life easier. A. machines and tools B. methods and machines C. processes and methods D. tools and processes
An early invention that had a huge impact on business was the ______. A. computer B. microchip C. radio D. telephone
People who work with computers while doing business are part of the ______ workforce. A. economic B. electronic C. emerging D. employed
Using the Internet to do business is called ______. A. e-commerce B. C. e-trade D. e-workforce
The well-known technology center located in California is called ______. A. Silicon Alley B. Silicon City C. Silicon Hill D. Silicon Valley
A start-up is a(n) ______ business that is usually small. A. e-commerce B. niche C. newly formed D. virtual
Businesses often call their stores and warehouses ______. A. brick-and-mortar B. click-and-bricks C. brick-and-sticks D. clicks-and-mortar
Convenience is a(n) ______ of electronic retail. A. advantage B. drawback C. disadvantage D. hindrance
Purchasing an e-ticket for airline travel is ______. A. complicated B. sporadic C. popular D. time-consuming
One of the disadvantages of shopping online is that you have to wait ______. A. For credit approval B. For the store to open C. For delivery D. In line
Technology refers to the ______ that people have invented to make life easier. A. machines and tools B. methods and machines C. processes and methods D. tools and processes
An early invention that had a huge impact on business was the ______. A. computer B. microchip C. radio D. telephone
People who work with computers while doing business are part of the ______ workforce. A. economic B. electronic C. emerging D. employed
Using the Internet to do business is called ______. A. e-commerce B. C. e-trade D. e-workforce
The well-known technology center located in California is called ______. A. Silicon Alley B. Silicon City C. Silicon Hill D. Silicon Valley
A start-up is a(n) ______ business that is usually small. A. e-commerce B. niche C. newly formed D. virtual
Businesses often call their stores and warehouses ______. A. brick-and-mortar B. click-and-bricks C. brick-and-sticks D. clicks-and-mortar
Convenience is a(n) ______ of electronic retail. A. advantage B. drawback C. disadvantage D. hindrance
Purchasing an e-ticket for airline travel is ______. A. complicated B. sporadic C. popular D. time-consuming
One of the disadvantages of shopping online is that you have to wait ______. A. For credit approval B. For the store to open C. For delivery D. In line