Technology and Flexible Working Practices - Communication

Question 1

Video Conferencing

Answer 1

This is a very useful tool for meetings when participants are spread across various locations and travel time is an issue. Using a video conferencing system eliminates the need for people to actually be there whilst still allowing full participation, as user can see each each other and simultaneously work on the same document. However, the slight time lapse could have an impact and also bad weather and many people still prefer to be physically present at meetings.

Question 2

Email

Answer 2

Email is an extremely quick way to communicate and most email accounts can also be used through mobile phones. The benefits of using email is that the same message can be sent to a number of people, files can be sent as attachments and it can be used anywhere in the world in seconds.

Question 3

Intranet

Answer 3

This is where computers are linked together and can be anywhere in the world. Computers share a single processor or server. The server stores applications and data which can be shared by multiple users that connect to the intranet.

Question 4

Mobile Phones

Answer 4

As well as allowing verbal communication, phones allow people to use the latest technology while on the move. It allows for face-to-face communication, web browsing and download, access to internal and external networks, email capability, document creating and editing, and access to social media.

Question 5

Cloud Based Software

Answer 5

This means that the individual users can access essential software applications and their documents from any computer that is linked to the intranet. All software and documents produced using the software is stored by the cloud computing service provider which can be accessed via the internet. This saves time and effort downloading, installing and keeping software up-to-date.