Networks and Wireless

Question One - Explain the business benefits of using wireless.

Wireless technology is the live connection users have to each other based on satellite or radio transmissions. The use of wireless technology improves business:

• As it provides universal access to information and applications
  
• Automises business processes, making redundant inefficient processes and centralising critical information
• Emphasises user convenience
• Increases the timeliness of access to information
• Provides the ability to conduct business 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Question Two - Describe the business benefits associated with VoIP.

Voice over IP (VoIP) is a method by which business can use the Internet as a medium for audible communications instead of hard-wired telecommunications networks. Business benefits associated with the use of this technology include ease of communication between geographically spread business functional areas, increase of speed in communications, digital web conferencing and the minimisation of costs. Costs are dramatically reduced as companies can avoid relying upon the telecommunications industry to communicate their information in a near instantaneous form.
The most recognisable form of VoIP is the program Skype. The Beta platform is displayed above. Skype utilises VoIP to connect businesses, families and friends across the globe. With a suitable Internet connection, microphone and webcam, two parties on opposite sides of the globe can connect together and talk "face-to-face".

2009 Film Up In the Air features the introduction of VoIP as a method of making employees redundant from a company. The trailer for the film can be viewed at the following link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e7k6FwXJhNk

Question Three - Compare LANs and WANs.

A Local Area Network (LAN) connect computers together that reside in a particular geographical region, usually the premises of a business that forms the LAN. LAN's are mostly based on Ethernet connections, routers, firewalls and the Internet, allowing those connected to a LAN to share data and Internet connections. Firewalls provide unauthorised access to the shared data.

A Wide Area Network (WAN) connects computers together over a wider geographical region. Whereas LANs rely upon cabled connections, WAN's rely upon the Internet and other forms of wireless technology to connect computers together. WANs are implemented, for example, in university campuses that have multiple locations in different geographical regions, and in businesses that have offices located in multiple states.

Question Four - Describe RFID and how it can be used to help make a supply chain more effective.

Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) is a method of tracking inventory through small, near unidentifiable tags that rely upon radio waves to transmit data. Passive RFID tags have no internal power flow, but have the ability to detect faint signals and transmit data back towards the antenna. Active RFID tags operate upon the same basis, however have an active power flow.

RFID can make a supply chain more effective as the technology can provide a low cost method of tracking a products position within the supply chain. Downstream users of the product, such as customers, can track the progress of an item through the supply chain, from manufacturer, to transporter, to supplier and to retailer to track when are where their product may be.

Question Five - Identify the advantages and disadvantages of deploying mobile technology.

Mobile technology is any form of technology that can travel with its user, however it may not provide real-time data unless connected to an Internet service. Mobile devices include phones and laptops. Advantages of deploying mobile technology include:

• Ubiquity - the pervasive nature of technology means mobile devices can be used anywhere at anytime, often at a lower cost to other alternatives.
• Convenience - users of mobile technology can access real-time data given a connection to appropriate servers
• Instant connectivity - complicated boot-up processes associated with hard-wired networks are bypassed through the use of mobile technology
• Customisation - mobile technology can be easily customised depending on location, tastes and preferences.

Disadvantages of deploying mobile technology include:

• Decrease of security - mobile devices left unattended can easily become a gateway for thieves and fraudsters to utilise, which may result in identity theft
• Synchronisation - mobile devices may often need synchronising to a main server to keep up-to-date with relevant information, which can take time
• Cost - as mobile technology is constantly being updated, it is costly to keep with the times, as mobile technology can be rendered "yesterday's news" when new products are released
• Storage and memory issues - the small, portable nature of mobile devices often leads to smaller storage options for data, which can lead to slow mobile devices once hard drives and memory disks become filled.