section 1 the history of technology. technology has changed the way people do business....

Section 1The History of Technology

Technology has changed the way people do business. Technological inventions have created new products, new markets, and new jobs.

e-workforce

e-commerce

people who work with computers while doing business

using the Internet to do business

digitalworkflow

linking all the steps in a process digitally

Technology refers to the tools and machines that people have invented to make life easier.

The most common technology staple in business today is the computer.

An early invention that had a huge impact on business was the telephone.

Cordless phones, cell phones, and radio telephones became useful tools for business and consumers.

Cell phones are not just phones—they are small computers.

Fax machines use telephone lines to send images.

In the past 60 years, electronic devices have revolutionized business and society.

Business and consumers demand smaller, faster, cheaper, and more powerful electronic devices.

The computer has created a boom in nearly all industries.

Personal digital assistants (PDAs) let users send e-mail, list contacts, and access the Internet.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the e-workforce consists of more than 77 million workers.

e-workforcepeople who work with computers while doing business

Electronic commerce, or e-commerce, allows businesses to reach customers directly anywhere in the world.

e-commerceusing the Internet to do business

New markets have opened up for products such as printers, fax machines, video games, and cell phones.

Innovation means more jobs and more people learning new skills.

By switching to a digital workflow, companies use less paper.

digital workflowlinking all the steps in a process digitally

The digital workflow means that more people have easier access to a broad range of information.

Library catalogs and encyclopedias are available in digital format.

High-tech industry can be found everywhere, but especially in these technology centers:

• California’s Silicon Valley

• New York’s Silicon Alley

• Oregon’s Silicon Forest

• Austin, Texas’s Silicon Hill

The Internet has created a demand for:

• Software writers

• Online writers

• Web page designers

Companies post job opportunities in several locations:

• On their homepage

• In newspaper’s online classified section

• Internet job services, such as Monster.com

Section 2E-Commerce

Businesses offer all types of goods and services online. Consumers can research almost any product or service from their home. They can buy just about anything online.

Main Idea

start-up

e-tail

a newly formed business that is usually small

electronic retail

multi-channelretailer

bricks-and-mortar

a business that sells its goods or services in stores, by mail, and online

actual buildings

clicks-andmortar

e-ticket

businesses that use the Internet in addition to physical locations to sell goods and services

electronic ticket

The ease of doing business via the Internet has created a boom in virtual businesses.

The Internet makes it possible to communicate online with customers and clients around the world.

Some Internet businesses are start-ups.

start-upa newly formed business that is usually small

Many entrepreneurs have started virtual businesses from their homes.

Figure 9.1

An e-tail store sells products over the Internet through e-commerce.

e-tailelectronic retail

A multi-channel retailer uses various methods to sell products.

multi-channel retailera business that sells goods or services in stores, by mail, and online

Businesses often call their stores and warehouses bricks-and-mortar.

bricks-and-mortaractual buildings

Bookstore chain Barnes & Noble is an example of a clicks-and-mortar company.

clicks-and-mortarbusinesses that use the Internet in addition to physical locations to sell goods and services

Some people find that purchasing ane-ticket is easier and cheaper than visiting an actual store.

e-ticketelectronic ticket

Technology refers to the ______ that people have invented to make life easier.

A. machines and tools B. methods and machinesC. processes and methodsD. tools and processes

An early invention that had a huge impact on business was the ______ .

A. computer B. microchipC. radioD. telephone

People who work with computers while doing business are part of the ______ workforce.

A. economic B. electronicC. emerging D. employed

Using the Internet to do business is called ______ .

A. e-commerceB. e-mailC. e-tradeD. e-workforce

The well-known technology center located in California is called ______ .

A. Silicon AlleyB. Silicon CityC. Silicon HillD. Silicon Valley

A start-up is a(n) ______ business that is usually small.

A. e-commerceB. nicheC. newly formedD. virtual

Businesses often call their stores and warehouses ______ .

A. brick-and-mortarB. click-and-bricksC. brick-and-sticksD. clicks-and-mortar

Convenience is a(n) ______ of electronic retail.

A. advantageB. drawbackC. disadvantageD. hindrance

Purchasing an e-ticket for airline travel is ______ .

A. complicatedB. sporadicC. popularD. time-consuming

One of the disadvantages of shopping online is that you have to wait ______ .

A. For credit approvalB. For the store to openC. For deliveryD. In line