These, obviously come into vital use for Howard Health centre. Firstly these different methods of communication can and will be used in this company. Weather through the internet, ‘txt’ message or simply talking over the mobile phone, will all come into action. This replaces the need of counting on ‘snail mail’ which has many disadvantages, such as the speed, consistency and the risk of life or death matter.
ICT in the community
ICT, as it’s now a world wide business, also has its effects on the everyday community.
Living in an MEDC or many other developing countries, ICT is an essential tool for modern day life.
Another use of ICT in the community is when the everyday usage of bar codes – especially helpful for shops and other big stores. These are used to display the unique identity of any product which can be stored into shop computers to keep track of there own products. The benefits of bar codes are immeasurable. The most prominent of reasons include: that there is less risk of fraud and there is Quicker service in shops, for the bar code is used to display the identity and price of a product. Furthermore this method is relatively easy to use and requires little training to learn. Therefore the products sold by Howard Health centre will have the bar code on the imported equipments for medical and technological products.
The internet is increasing popularity for online shopping. In this world today, many people who are mainly occupied or too ill to go out to the supermarkets, use the internet to shop. This is an easy, quick and reliable way of shopping as the stock is delivered promptly to your doorstep. Also as this method requires little effort and is increasing in popularity, more and more varieties of goods can be brought over the internet, especially those that might be harder to purchase otherwise. However, there are many drawbacks to this method. For example, this method of shopping can create and increase health problems, as it cuts out the need of walking to the shops or the supermarket. Also it increases the risk of fraud as credit card details and other personal information may easily released into the dangerous world wide web,
Electronic Funds Transfer Point Of Sale (EFTPOS) technology, allows money to be paid through credit cards at tills that accept them. This involves a credit card having unique identity and direct access to the owner’s account, to be inserted into one of these tills, where the price of the items is taken form the bank. This greatly decreases the risk of burglary of money and stops any inconveniences caused by the carrying of money in your pocket. However, this method is not perfect as it is prone to credit card fraud and these cards can easily be lost. Furthermore, using this way for paying money makes the user less aware of the quantity of money that they spend, increasing the risk of debt and overdraft.
Electronic Point Of Sale (EPOS) is similar to the other method. This ensures the electronic transfer of funds at the point of sale. It used at the checkouts to provide the customer receipt and, at the same time, update the items in stock. This process is automatic, requiring little human endeavor and assistance.
ICT in the home
ICT has not failed to have an effect on the typical household, especially in the MEDC countries, taking Britain for example.
In the household, many of us will posses home computers, as it is increasingly popular and useful. Future fashions obviously will make vital use of this system. Firstly, our company will sop using an easier method- shop online, replacing the typical and traditional method of using our legs and arms! Secondly, we use computers to send e-mails and for entertainment purposes using CD-ROM gaming. These games have special 3-D effects and other griping effects that keep the user interested.
It is also used with interactive television. Before people had access to only four or five channels, which for the ‘telle addict’ would get intimidating. With interactive television, up to 800 channels, giving a much more interesting range of channels and topics. Howard Health Centre or any other company by providing them with entertainment and information for a variety of subjects that may be useful to this company
The home computer has helped the world in many different ways, but most of all it has helped the office to prosper. Howard Health Centre will benefit from many ways. It saves space, increases presentation; decreases risk of mistakes, and keep the office tidy, to name but a few.
Sage payroll
Sage payroll is a commercial system that can be brought to automatically calculate the employer’s wages. It is a very quick, easy and accurate method to calculate the wages of the employees. Also this provides businesses with support and advice which obviously will come helpful.
Our method, using the computer, is slightly harder to use and needs more human assistance and training. Also this method is more prone to mistakes and is less professional. However, it is cheaper to use, easier to set up and it suits the job as it is a small company.
It can be improved in many ways. For instance, we can use later more improved software or a faster computer, which can change the calculations of the employer’s wage dramatically.
For our company to use these systems, the employees need to be trained. Trained in using the computer, software and performing the necessary tasks. Also the trainees need to be aware of the law and various different acts. For instance the data protection act which provides legislations to protect data released onto the computers, especially personal data. Also the employees must be aware of privacy and copyright.
Change of Howard Health centre
Working practices will obviously have to change in Howard Health centre, thanks to the newly introduced computerized system. The old typewriter, handwritten letters, huge filing cabinets and much more will have to go, now the computer is introduced. The average Health centre employee will have to get used to using the computer, and will find it very useful. The need for letters and stamps taking days if not weeks to come will be mostly replaced by the e-mail system taking seconds to send large amounts of info across the world. Making appointments on the internet will reduce the patients time of going on foot to collect the prescription of the specified medicine. Data will now be stored within this system that will take up far less room than before.
Workers may also be aware of other moral implications of using ICT. Our staff must be aware of undesirable material and the misuse of computers at work.
With this revolution of our system, we will need to train the staff to use this system. This will take time and cost money. Also we will have to find qualified teachers, which will again be a hassle.
However this is all for good, as the benefits that usage of ICT will bring to our company are inconceivable.
