Section 5:

The Effects of Using IT

Computer usage in businesses and companies has increased massively within the last years. The benefits that computers bring to business is just

too hard for the owners to ignore. For example:

2

1. Speed Data can be stored, processed & searched extremely fast

2. Volume Vast quantities of data can be stored in small amounts of space.

3. Less Paper Work Computers remove the need for huge quantities of paper

4. Less Workers Computers can do the work of many people which savesexpenses in wages.

5. Connectivity The internet means that companies can share data or even hold meeting in different countries without actuallyleaving the office.

Effects of ICT on employment patterns include:

Fewer workers needed to achieve the same amount of work

Automation in factories (robots doing the work of people)

Increased 'teleworking' (working from home)

Increased need for highly trained ICT specialists

Decreased need for 'labour intensive' workers (like filing, printers etc.)

Need for workers to be trained more frequently (to keep up with the changes in ICT)

Fewer 'face-to-face' meetings as video conferences can be held over the Internet (reduced travel time and cost)

3

4

Areas where ICT has decreased Employment:

5

Part-Time working (carries fewer hours per week than a full-

time job)

Flexible hours (employees can choose when they work,

subject to achieving total daily, weekly or monthly hours)

Job sharing (two part-time employees share the work and pay

of a single full-time job)

Compressed hours (working less than full-time hours)

6

What is a Microprocessor? A microprocessor is a tiny CPU built onto a single 'chip'

Very powerful microprocessors can be found in PCs but smaller, less powerful microprocessors can be found in many everyday devices in our homes. Typically, a special type of microprocessor, called a microcontroller, is used in everyday devices.

In a single ‘chip’, a microcontroller contains:• A CPU

• Some RAM

• Some ROM (Used for storing the devices software)

Often microcontrollers also contain ADCs and DACs to allow easy connection to devices such as sensors and actuators.

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

© El.De. 17

18