The Role of Communication Systems Karen Cheesbrough

Global Communications Fax Internet Messenger and online chat Mobile phones and pagers Teletext Text messaging Video conferencing

The Internet A very large Wide Area Network (WAN) Large number of computer networks linked together worldwide Data is sent between computers through a number of intermediate locations

The World Wide Web A vast collection of pages of information held on the Internet Pages contain text, images, videos, etc Organisations or individuals can set up web pages on the Internet Much of the information held on the Internet is available to anyone – but some sites may be protected by passwords

Accessing the Internet A computer A telephone line A modem A browser – for viewing web pages Internet Service Provider (ISP) software – for communication (or use a web based provider)

Internet Service Providers E.g. Tiscali, BT, AOL Provide subscribers with: – An address – Storage of on the Internet – not on the home computer (this is web-based ) – A limited amount of storage on the Internet – Ability to set up their own web site

ISP and Internet Access Dial up – usually using a local phone number (0845) – to keep costs down Dial up – with 0800 phone number – free calls, usually with a monthly subscription Broadband – for monthly subscription charge – different connection speeds and download volumes (for data/music) at different costs

Other ISP Services Free Web space Additional addresses Latest news, weather and other information Internet shopping Search engine Bulletin boards for newsgroups or special interest groups

Other Access Methods Leased line – provides permanent high speed connection to the Internet, for an annual fee Television with digital capabilities can allow users to access the Internet WAP – Wireless Application Protocol – Internet access from mobile phones or Blackberries

Intranets An Intranet is an internal network. – Use standard browser software – Can be connected to the Internet – Provides information to personnel within the organisation E.g. The College uses an Intranet to provide information to students and staff

Extranets An Extranet is an expanded Intranet, which allows employees from another company to access part of the Intranet – Access to certain product information – Use encryption or private leased lines – Can have access to the Internet E.g. W H Smith has an extranet for their key customers – to enable them to access sales data

Electronic Data Interchange Transferring information electronically – E.g. Letters, orders, invoices Computers ‘talk’ to one another, regardless of computer manufacturer or software type Prevents mailings Minimises errors (orders not re-typed) Saves days in the processing cycle

EDI Process An order is raised by one company EDI transfers the order to the supplier The customer can often track the progress of the order as it passes through the supplier’s systems

Electronic Mail An address needs a name and the location of the mailbox, e.g. – is stored on the ISP’s computer for the recipient, even when their computer isn’t switched on Dial up connections to the Internet can be set up to automatically check for mail at regular intervals Always on connections, like broadband, receive s straight away.

Features of MS Outlook Reply icon Forward to another recipient (takes attachments too) Address books and group facilities Attachments can be sent priorities can be set s sent and received are stored and can be organised in folders

Problems with the Internet Vast amount of information – May not be factually correct – May be out of date – Can contain annoying ‘pop-ups’ – Can download music, videos, etc – which can breach copyright laws – Contains questionable material – Viruses may be transmitted to your computer – Fraud is common – buying items that never arrive – Employees and students can waste a lot of time

Communication Methods Fax (facsimile transmission) – Uses a telephone line to transmit a copy (scan) of the original document – Produces a graphic of the original document – Takes longer to send than a text file – Is not dependent upon connection to the Internet or the use of a computer Fast, but can’t be edited when received Able to send signed documents

Communication Methods Video conferencing – Enables face to face conversations – Saves on transport between offices, especially for multinational organisations – Set up cost is quite expensive – Technology can be temperamental E.g. Scottish Power has offices in both Chester and Glasgow, so possible to have personal meetings without staff taking all day out for a one hour meeting, also saving cost of travel

Question A British Company has offices in California and New Zealand. Describe three ways in which the company can use the Internet to communicate with its offices abroad. (6)

Answer 1. To enable messages and documents to be sent between offices 2. Video conferencing To enable face-to-face conversations between employees 3. Intranet To disseminate company information to employees at all offices

Question A large clothing retail has decided to set up an online store. a. Explain two advantages to the retailer of using this method of selling as opposed to selling from a high street shop (4) b. Explain one advantage to the customer of using the online store rather than a high street shop. (2) c. Describe two ways in which the retailer could make use of the Internet to publicise its new service. (4)