1. Back to Table of Contents
pp. 282-297
Chapter 18
Technology Advancements
in the Workplace
2. Chapter 18
Introduction to Business, Technology Advancements in the Workplace Slide 2 of 45
The Role of Information
Technology
Information technology (IT) is
hardware and software for creating,
processing, storing, and
communicating information.
3. Chapter 18
Introduction to Business, Technology Advancements in the Workplace Slide 3 of 45
Telecommuting
Telecommuting is a work
arrangement that allows employees to
work away from the workplace.
4. Chapter 18
Introduction to Business, Technology Advancements in the Workplace Slide 4 of 45
Telecommuting
The advantages of telecommuting are:
• Less commute time
• Flexible hours
• Improved quality of work
• Fewer sick days
5. Chapter 18
Introduction to Business, Technology Advancements in the Workplace Slide 5 of 45
Telecommuting
The disadvantages of telecommuting
are:
• Lack of contact with other workers
• Feeling of isolation
• Distractions of home life
• Lack of supervision
• Cost of buying new equipment
6. Chapter 18
Introduction to Business, Technology Advancements in the Workplace Slide 6 of 45
Wearable Computers
Wearable computers are small,
lightweight computers that workers
carry with them.
7. Chapter 18
Introduction to Business, Technology Advancements in the Workplace Slide 7 of 45
Technology in Manufacturing
Computer-aided design (CAD) is
software for designing products with a
computer.
8. Chapter 18
Introduction to Business, Technology Advancements in the Workplace Slide 8 of 45
Technology in Manufacturing
When CAD and computer-aided
manufacturing (CAM) programs are
used together, companies can custom
design and produce products.
9. Chapter 18
Introduction to Business, Technology Advancements in the Workplace Slide 9 of 45
Technology in Manufacturing
Manufacturing plants now are partly or
wholly automated.
Robots and computer controlled
machine tools can do hard jobs that
were done in the past by people.
10. Chapter 18
Introduction to Business, Technology Advancements in the Workplace Slide 10 of 45
Expert Systems
An expert system is computer
software that stores and uses
knowledge that a human expert would
have on the same subject.
11. Chapter 18
Introduction to Business, Technology Advancements in the Workplace Slide 11 of 45
Electronic Information Transfer
Electronic information transfer gives
businesses information quickly and
easily.
Many companies electronically
transfer paychecks to employees’ bank
accounts.
12. Chapter 18
Introduction to Business, Technology Advancements in the Workplace Slide 12 of 45
Virtual Training
Virtual training allows learners to
simulate a real situation through a
computer.
The user views events from inside a
head-mounted display. Inside the
helmet, two miniature screens imitate
the human eye.
13. Chapter 18
Introduction to Business, Technology Advancements in the Workplace Slide 13 of 45
Virtual Training
A data glove is the input device. It
relays the movements of the user’s
hand to the computer.
The information is processed and sent
to the headset. As a result, the user
can “reach into” a three-dimensional
scene.
14. Chapter 18
Introduction to Business, Technology Advancements in the Workplace Slide 14 of 45
Fast Review
1. Define information technology.
2. List the pros and cons of
telecommuting.
continued
15. Chapter 18
Introduction to Business, Technology Advancements in the Workplace Slide 15 of 45
Fast Review
3. How might CAD improve a
manufacturing plant?
4. The ATM is an example of what type
of technological change?
16. Chapter 18
Introduction to Business, Technology Advancements in the Workplace Slide 16 of 45
The Internet
The Internet is a collection of tens of
thousands of connected computer
networks.
17. Chapter 18
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The Internet
The Internet was made user friendly
by the creation of the World Wide Web
(or the Web).
18. Chapter 18
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Other Types of Links
An intranet allows a company to
connect employees with Internet-like
technology, but is closed to public
access.
19. Chapter 18
Introduction to Business, Technology Advancements in the Workplace Slide 19 of 45
Other Types of Links
An extranet is a semiprivate network
that allows more than one company to
access the same information.
It allows different companies to share
information and to collaborate.
20. Chapter 18
Introduction to Business, Technology Advancements in the Workplace Slide 20 of 45
Managing the Threats
Hackers are people who break into
computer systems for illegal purposes.
They vandalize Web sites, hard drives,
and government files.
21. Chapter 18
Introduction to Business, Technology Advancements in the Workplace Slide 21 of 45
Privacy Issues
Cookies are pieces of information
about a computer user, which are
stored on your hard drive and
accessed by a server when the user
connects to a Web site.
22. Chapter 18
Introduction to Business, Technology Advancements in the Workplace Slide 22 of 45
Virus
A computer virus is a program that
infects computer files by copying itself
into those files.
Every user needs antivirus software to
protect his/her computer.
23. Chapter 18
Introduction to Business, Technology Advancements in the Workplace Slide 23 of 45
Firewall
A firewall is a software program that
acts as a security wall between your
computer and the Internet.
