1. 2.7 Communication Methods
By Millie Sykes

2. SMS used in business.
SMS- short messaging service- uses standardized communications protocols to allow devices to exchange small messages, and allow communication between two or more people.
SMS is used in businesses on a daily basis, for example in mobile marketing SMS is used to connect the business with the client to ensure they are getting all the updates, offers and other important information a phone company would be likely to provide.
Examples such as EE, Carphone warehouse etc.
SMS is also now being used to connect the business with their employers, for example work reminders, announcements and upcoming meetings etc. This is used as opposed to other communications because the majority of the world now have phones on them almost all the time.

3. Advantages and disadvantages to SMS
Its an easy way of communicating with your business about urgent changes for example.
Its quick and gives you the ability to reach someone with ease.
Disadvantages:
Not always service to ensure your message is delivered
May need Wi-Fi if you are using an application such as Facebook messenger or WhatsApp
Limited characters- can only include a certain amount of words usually.

4. used in business
is another way of communicating with people in a business, which requires access to the internet. It allows longer more formal messages to be sent, to update businesses. SMS is usually used short range, urgent messages between employers, whereas can be used to connect businesses together, for example is often used to confirm meetings with co-businesses around the country or compare prices with their business co-workers.
is also used instead of posting letters, yet it has the same formality, it gets there extremely fast as the data is transferred along a network.

5. Advantages and disadvantages to email
Sending an is much faster then making a business request via the post, or writing a traditional letter.
s can be sent and received from any computer anywhere in the world as long as there is an internet connection.
Its cheap- if using broadband its effectively free
Can be sent to one person or several people.
Disadvantages:
The recipient has to have internet connection to send an
Viruses are easily spread and need to be avoided in business situations
Phishing can occur
Spam s can be extremely annoying.

6. Messaging software in business
Messaging software such as Facebook messenger and WhatsApp are used to allow employers within a business to communicate with each other. This extremely helpful for when urgent messages need to be sent, as it is quick and efficient.
Messaging software needs an internet connection to allow you to communicate, however it ensures short urgent messages can be delivered with ease without having the hassle of logging in to your . As people will usually have their phone on them 24/7.
It would not usually be used between businesses across the country, voIP and are usually used for this.

7. Advantages and disadvantages to messaging software
Quick and easy to use
Connect the business with their employers
Disadvantages
Has to be present
Uses internet connection
Can be hacked.

8. Social networking used in business
Social networking in business is a good way of promoting and advertising the businesses’ brands. They are able to display their products and allows for communication with their customers.
Adding a post on a twitter account for example can give information about the business to customers, but it can also give urgent information to employers to keep them up to date. This is a way of communicating via social media within a business.
Social media does require an internet connection or a network to communicate.

9. Advantages and disadvantages to social media
Gain valuable customer insight into their products
Quick way of targeting a range of people without directly messaging everybody.
Find out what your competitors are doing
Disadvantages
Requires internet connection
All your friends will see posts that you upload and it may not apply to them.

10. VoIP used in business
Voice over internet protocol allows you to make free phone calls over the internet. If you have a reasonable quality Internet connection you can get phone service delivered through your Internet connection instead of from your local phone company.
This is helpful for businesses as it allows companies to video call by using skype for example as an alternative way to call someone directly without using a phone service. It can then open many new opportunities such as video conferences via skype if your companies are spread out around the company. It therefore also saves money on travel costs and mobile costs and all you need is an internet connection.

11. Advantages and disadvantages to VoIP
Saves money on travel
Its quick and easy to install
Disadvantages
Needs an internet connection
Could possibly be hacked
video calling can be slow and may lag if the internet connection is bad

12. Personal assistants e.g. Siri in business
Personal assistants such as Siri on mobile phones and tablets can make it easy and quick to access things on you device without having the hassle of clicking on them. It uses voice recognition to do this.
It can help you schedule appointments, check stock markets , give directions and reminders, just by using your voice. It an easy way to perform daily requests on your phone/tablet and is extremely reliable.

13. Advantages and disadvantages to personal assistants
Voice recognition makes it quick and ensures you don’t have to click on multiple buttons to do certain things if you are in a hurry.
Gives you directions sets reminders and keeps you up to date with information such as stock markets.
Disadvantages
Need an internet connection
If you don’t speak clear it may not be picked up

14. Teleconference in business
This is a telephone meeting among two or more participants involving technology more sophisticated than a simple two-way phone connection. At its simplest, a teleconference can be an audio conference with one or both ends of the conference sharing a speaker phone.
It can be used for business meetings, important updates and to schedule conferences. It can also be used for conferences between employers if they are dispersed around the country for example.

15. Advantages and disadvantages to teleconference
It can enhance organizational productivity
Engage employees at all levels
Reduce travel budgets.
Disadvantages
Technical failures (bad connection)
No visual presentation
Interruptions and lack of eye contact needed in conferences.

16. Videoconference in business
Videoconferencing is a live, visual connection between two or more people residing in separate locations for the purpose of communication. At its simplest, video conferencing provides transmission of static images and text between two locations. At its most sophisticated, it provides transmission of full-motion video images and high-quality audio between multiple locations.
It can be used to host meetings with companies around the country to save travelling. It is better than teleconferencing as you get that eye contact.

17. Advantages and disadvantages to videoconference
Reduced travel cost
Improves communication
Increased productivity among customers
Participants are also more likely to stay alert and focused on what is being discussed.
Disadvantages:
Connection may fail
May lag
Still not as good as a meeting face to face with someone.

18. Satellite and cellular communication in business
Satellite communication is where a device transmits a signal to a satellite. The satellite then amplifies this signal and changes the frequency and it then the signal is transmitted back to earth.
This is used in business to allow quick communication on devices such as mobile phones and computers.
Communications satellites have the ability to rapidly communicate between a number of widely dispersed locations. This is an important tool, allowing big manufacturing companies and department stores to perform inventory management, provide instant credit card authorization and automated teller banking services to even small towns, pay-at-the-pump gas at freeway gas stations, and video conferencing for international corporations.

19. Advantages and disadvantages to satellite and cellular communication
Its reliable
Its fast
It allows businesses to carry out video conferences etc.
Disadvantages
Huge initial cost
Noise and interference
Propagation delay

20. Instant messaging in business
Instant messaging allows people to use Internet chat conversations to relay information back and forth in real time. It is often used as a social networking tool, but many companies also use instant messaging as part of their daily business routine.
Examples include WhatsApp, KIK, Tango, Facebook messenger

21. Advantages and disadvantages to instant messaging
Saves money on mobile costs
Quick and easy to use
Disadvantages
Real-time communication- the other person has to be online to start a conversation too and you wont get a reply until the person sees it obviously
Most need an internet connection.