Learning Aim A: Modern Technologies

Ad Hoc Networks

Benefits of Ad Hoc Networks:

• Open Wi-Fi : allows user to use internet without using up their data
•  Provide access to internet at all times at most locations
• Simple to set up a connection to the internet
• Personal hotspots : provide internet access bto one or more devices that don't have connectivity e.g. user tethering laptop to phone

Performance issues

• Connection may be slow where there are several users and one network connection
• Slow when users are using it at the same time (public spaces)
• Ad Hoc have a limited range. Signal may be weak if you are not close to the transmitter

Rural vs city : 

• rural have fewer residents

Black spots : 

• thick walls
• valleys
• hills
• disrupt the connection

Developed vs developing country :

• developing country (India) might not be able to buy network boxes

Security

Open Wi-Fi :

• easily hackable
• not encrypted
• (hackers can easily hack into the connection as it is not encrypted)

Synchronisation

• When files held on two devices are updated to make sure that both devices have the same content
• (when two devices connect to each other)

Advantage of synchronisation:

• Cloud automatically synchronises any changes across all devices

• Where files are saved and stored in a remote server

Advantages of cloud storage:

• Accessible anywhere
• Can access files on the cloud as long as you have internet connection
• Scalable : up or down plan. Pay more or less for storage
• The data and the security are managed by the cloud storage provider
• Users can share access to files whatever their location

Disadvantages of cloud storage:

• Poor internet will slow the upload of files
• Need good connection
• Cloud storage can be accessed on any device

Cloud computing

• When you run applications on a remote server

Benefits of online applications for organisations:

• Company is not responsible for maintaining the software (updating the software)
• Online applications are cost-effective: no software licence needed
• Installation not needed: no need to install on every computer. They can buy/ rent less expensive machines
• All employees can run the same version of software directly from the cloud: all employees have access to all files (with internet connection) 

Collaboration tools

• Comment: ask questions or leave suggestions for group
• You can track who made changes: who, what, when
• Live editting: edit presented as suggestion so they can agree
• Chat facilities: chat in real time about the document

• PC users in organisations usually work online 
• Can also work on other platforms and whilst still connected to the internet, synchronisation of files can take place an the files can be uploaded on cloud (outside work place)
• Tethering is available or they can work offline. Once they are connected again, synchronisation of files will take place

Benefits of online working:

• Files can easily be share with others 
• Allows a user to share the same file across multiple devices
• Workers can use collaboration tools

• For cloud and 'traditional' systems to work smoothly, apps and files must be regularly synchronised so that all devices have access to the same content

Cloud technology notifications:

• Let you know when a shared file has been editted by another user
• Alert you to who has changed what in files shared by multiple users
• Warn you if you try to save a version of a file that is older than the one stored in the cloud
• Remind you when online meetings and video conferences are about to take place

• Disaster recovery policy: sets out the actions an organisation will need to take to enable it to restore its system as quickly as possible following a disaster (flood/ fire)
• Some planning becomes theresponsibility of the service provider if an organisation uses cloud technologies
• Cloud service providers also need to maintain data security
• Organisations need to rely on the service provider to keep data and information safe (if they use cloud technologies)
• Organisations dont know the location or how the data is stored
• Benefit of using a large cloud service provider (Microsoft Azure or Google Cloud) is that it has the expertise and resources to be able to maintain network, server and data security

Organisation doesnt require the same complexity from a disaster recovery policy for services that are on the cloud because: 

• the data is remained in a remote location so wont be affected by physical damage to an organisations systems and premises
• data is regularly backed up in the cloud so only data not stored in the cloud or not yet synchronised would be lost (loss of data may be minimal)

Maintenance "traditional"

• where an organisation runs its own servers (the responsibility for setting up and maintaining the servers lies with the organisation itself)

The maintenance of servers:

• may involve software updates
• the server may be shut down for a period - so updates can be carried out

The organisation:

• need to employ IT staff (who have the expertise to carry out the support and maintenancec of the servers)
• these types of staff are hard to find and expensive to employ

Maintenance "cloud" technologies

• cloud service provider is responsible for the maintenance of servers
• has resources to employ skilled staff to set up and update the servers
• enough servers to minimise downtime by swapping between them

Downtime

• servers go offline and staff are unable to access cloud servers
• may be caused by a software update, cyberattack or power failure
• disruption caused by downtime can be minimised (carrying out updates at night)
• can be costly where servers need to operate 24/7 (e.g. hospitals)

Set-up "traditional"

Setting up the required IT infrastructure can take time:

• hardware needs to be ordered and delivered
• set-up and tested
• server rooms may need to be built and set-up with power supplies 
• air conditioning
• network connections
• software needs to be purchased, installed and set-up

Set-up "cloud" technologies

Setting up the IT infrastructure is likely to be much quicker and cheaper:

• the cloud service provider already has servers and security processes set-up and running

Performance

Organisations need to ensure that "cloud" technologies will provide adequate performance:

• cloud technologies rely on the internet : a reliable high-speed internet connection is required to ensure good performance. may be available in fixed locations
• for remote workers, mobile devices that rely on slow-speed connections may not provide consistently reliable performance
• simple : tasks are better suited for cloud technologies (editting of much smaller files)
• some tasks are better suited for traditional computing methods (video editting + large files = not suitable for phones/ tablets)

Benefits of collaborative working

Working 24 / 7 / 365:

• Technology such as email, messaging and document sharing allows team members to communicate during their working hours
• collaborative technologies allow teams to communicate at any time of day/ year

Working globally:

• collaborative technologies allow skilled users from all around the world to work together as a team
• a global workforce allows teams to benefit from the knowledge, talents and creativity of many cultures

Working together (inclusivity):

• collaborative technologies enable individuals with health-related needs to play an active role in a modern team
• accessibility features on modern devices allow team members with specific nees to work within a team

Working flexibly:

• technologies allow members to work anywhere
• collaborative technologies allow team members and casual workers to communicate/ work together

Collaboration tools (features)

To-do lists:

• identify tasks the team needs to complete
• allocate tasks to specific people
• show deadlines for time-critical tasks

Shared-message boards:

• allows users to ask questions or make comments the rest of the team can see

Document sharing and group editting:

• enables members to share and edit one copy of a document 
• they can work together even in different locations

Email:

• messages can be sent between the team
• a group email can be sent to everyone in the group

Shared online calender:

• enables teams to arrange meetings

Chat apps (benefits)

• google hangouts or chat apps
• offer an informal way for team members to ask questions, share information and have quick discussions
• its a fast way to communicate 
• less formal than email
• less time consuming than phone calls

Online meetings (benefits)

• conferencing software can be used to hold online meetings when members are in different locations
• communication tools offer audio and video conferencing facilities
• computer screens can be shared so everyone can see the document
• meetings can be recorded for those who cant attend

Collaboration tools (benefits)

• latest documents can be accessed and editted by all team members from the cloud
• files can be shared and editted by authorised users at the same time
• archived versions of older documents may also be accessed 

Online scheduling tools:

• allow team members to suggest dates and times for the meeting (until they agree on one)
• useful where there are lots of participants

Online planning tools:

• help teams to plan and manage tasks
• all tools are shared by the team 
  • Gantt charts
  • Pert charts
  • Critical path diagrams

1) corporate website - 

• promotes organisation to consumers
• provides information about products/ services, sales and sell goods online
• stakeholders can contact the organisation through the 'contact us' page

2) social media -

• informal method of communication

• users can post comments, questions and ask for advice (often publicly)

3) email - 

• formal method of communication
• used by organisations to communicate with each other on specific matters

4) voice and video communication - 

• used to promote products
• provide information, user training and support
• one-way communication (from organisation to user)
• meetings where participants are in different locations 

5) live chat -

• a text chat linked to organisations website
• answers questions
• assissts customers

Private communications

Email:

• to confirm business details/ send documents
• respond to customer queries
• send newsletters/ special offers

Live chat:

• one-to-one communication
• queries may be handled by 'bot' (automated response) to address frequently asked questions

Voice/ video communication:

• online meetings/ training usually private with only those with an invitation able to attend

Public communications

Social media:

• posts which are snippets of short-lived information 
• brief updates
• posts can be commented on and forwarded
• needs to be carefully managed as interaction is public and could be managing

Corporate website:

• provides detailed information
• includes information about products an services
• information about organisation and customer reviews

Voice/ video communication:

• instructional videos (YT) available to anyone wanting more information on how a specific product should be used/ fixed

Interface design and layout may include:

• clear, easy-to-read font which can be increased in size
• using bright colours carefully
• having clear and consistent navigation features

Accessibility needs:

• limited vision
• colour-blind
• limited hearing
• speech needs: hard with communication
• motor needs: movement
• cognitive needs: take time to use features

Impacts on infrastructure:

1)   

• planning/ purchasing whats required to set it up
• hardware/ software licences
• access to cloud technologies
• technical staff

2)

• cloud services reduce need for local physical servers but place more reliance on communication

3)

• installing/ testing hardware, software, cloud technologies
• train staff to use technologies

4)

• maintaining technologies to meet the needs of the organisation

5)

• implementing regular back-up of ata
• ensure safe storage

Local platforms

• may run faster that a web-based app
• only accessible on the users computer so will limit collaborative working

Web-based platforms

• accessible anywhere via internet connection
• requires internet connection to function and may be slow if connection is poor 

24/7 access 

Benefits:

• workers can access office systems anywhere at any time
• online retailers can take orders on their websites any time of day or night 

Drawbacks: 

• workers may feel pressure to work outside of office hours
• businesses may need to employ staff at night/ weekends to provide 24/7 customer support; increases their wages cost 

Introduction of modern technologies (cloud storage) means data is likely to be shared at a variety of different locations:

Positive:

•  If data is destroyed in natural disaster at one location, data stored at other locations is still safe; organisation can continue using data from them

Impacts

Accessibility -

Benefits:

• Portable devices allow users to stay in touch with each other 24/7

Drawbacks:

• May affect an employee’s mental wellbeing if they are expected to respond to emails or messages in evenings/ weekends

Remote-working -

Benefits:

• Don’t usually require office space. Reduces organisations costs in providing physical resources

Collaboration -

Benefits:

• Enable team members in different locations to work together by file sharing and collaboration tools

Drawbacks:

• Chat apps may lead to time wasting if conversations don’t relate to work

Inclusivity -

Benefits:

• Modern devices open up an organisations workforce to those with health-related needs (etc.) as well as a range of ages

Remote working

Benefits:

• Stressful work environments can be avoided
• Time and money are saved as less time is spent from an office
• Can work at times that suit them

Drawbacks:

• Remote workers may have difficulty maintaining a healthy life/ work balance
• May be difficult to separate work time from leisure time
• Some find it lonely as there will be little social interaction. May lead to depression