•Retraining

Most jobs nowadays involve the use of computers, many people have had to retrain to use computers to perform their job. This can be stressful for some people who aren't experienced users of digital technology but usually the benefits outweigh any negatives.

•Job Displacement

Digital technology has displaced many old jobs. One example is photo developers, digital photos means this is no longer required. Many people have lost jobs in the manufacturing industry due to  robots. Shop workers may soon also be replaced by self service tils. But many new jobs are also being created.

•Job Creation

Digital technology has created a wide range of new jobs which didn't exist 30 years ago. Network managers, software developers, testers, help-desk operatives are all example of new jobs created by ICT developments

•Teleworking 

This involves people working from home through the use of Digital Technology. Laptops and  the internet allows us to communicate in real time and access our work files from anywhere. One of the main benefits of Lockdown was the upskilling in teleworking and use of Digital Technology.

Radio Frequency Identification (RFID)

This uses electromagnetic fields to identify and track tags attached to objects or people

Each tag is a unique identifier of the object, RFID device is scanned to retrieve the information.

Business uses

–Stock tracking

–Restricted access zones

–Anti-theft

Global Positioning System (GPS)

–Is a satellite navigation system that determines a users  position anywhere in the world. This is the main technology behind Sat Nav.

Business uses

–Distribution - track deliveries over land, sea or air

–Marketing – linked to geographical location

–Human resources – tracking location, breaks of staff eg sales or delivery staff

Contactless payment is a fast way to pay for purchases costing (currently £30 and under, 2017). Contactless payments are becoming increasingly common on a range of devices including:

–Pre-paid, debit, charge and credit cards

–Wearable devices, such as watches and wristbands

–Mobile devices, such as smartphones and tablets

Business uses

–Faster transactions/shorter queues

–Cost reduction – staffing

•Encryption- This is when data is scrambled before being sent across a netwrok, the recipeint needs a key to decrypt the data back into its original form. If someone accessed the data without the key it will be meaningless for them. Most modern websites uses encryption when collecting customer transaction data to keep it safe.

•Secure site – https/ padlock

When on a reputable website we usually see a padlock in the browser to the left of the URL this lets us know the website is encrypted.

•Username and password

These are used to control access to certain services/files. It is important that a strong password is used. It should be changed regularly and never shared with others.

•Biometric Authorisation

This is when we scan a person's body part such as fingerprint or retina in ordert to allow access to certain devices or areas. It can be used to improve security and reduces the need for passwords.

Hardware/software

Set up

Maintenance

Updating

Staffing

Recruitment of new staff

Retraining of existing staff

Security

              Recruitment of IT Staff

              Back Up

      Anti Virus Software

Changing and upgrading technology leads to increased staff training and retraining

Whilst there are benefits of having a well trained staff.  This training also comes at a financial cost to the business

Stress levels of staff can also be increased as they have to deal with continuous change and retraining

Training methodology may also be introduced as a result of technology e.g. video tutorials

Data Protection Act

•Customer data must be stored in accordance with the Data Protection Act

•Principles:

–Data must be kept accurate and up-to-date.

–Data must be kept no longer than necessary.

–Data must be processed fairly and lawfully.

–Data must be held securely.

–Data must not be transferred outside the EU.

–Data must not be kept longer than necessary.

–Data must only be used for the specified purpose.

–Data must be adequate and relevant for the intended purpose.

Copyright, Designs and Patents Act

•Covers:

–illegally copying or downloading software

–stealing ideas from one company for use in another

–using unlicensed software

–non-payment of downloaded materials

Computer Misuse Act

•Covers:

–gaining unauthorised access to a computer system

–deliberately planting viruses in a computer system

–committing computer fraud

–using a company computer without permission