Chapter Seven - Networks & Wireless

1. Explain the business benefits of using wireless technology.

Wireless technology has provided businesses with more benefits. These benefits include:

• Increased efficiency of wireless technology allows for communication of information to be transferred faster within the business and between its customers.
• The lack of cables needed around the office networks,
• Providing a more flexible and mobile use of the technology where employees don't have to be sitting at their desk to complete work.
• Finally it reduces cost as it is much cheaper to install and maintain wireless technology.

2. Describe the business benefits associated with VoIP.

Voice over Internet Protocol or VoIP uses TCP/IP technology to transmit voice calls over internet technology. It enables phone calls, faxes, voice mail, email and Web conferences over digital networks e.g. Skype. The benefits of VoIP is that it lowers cost for organisations. It decreases having to complete complex tasks in order to use this service.

3. Compare LANs and WANs.

A LAN is a local area network it is designed to connect a group of computers in close proximity to each other such as in an office building, a school or home.  A LAN in turn often connects to other LAN's and to the internet or wide area networks (WAN).

A WAN is a wide area network that spans a large geographic area such as a state province or country. WAN's often connect multiple smaller networks, such as local area networks

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

RFID or Radio Frequency Indenfication technologies use active or passive tags in the form of chips or smart lables that can store unique identifiers and relay this information to electronic readers. RFID tags can cut costs by requiring fewer workers for scanning items, also provide more currency and accurate information to the supply chain

5. What is one new emerging technology that could change a specific industry?

Mobile TV is one new emerging technology that could change the Television Entertainment Industry. Using broadband technology , digital TV can now be viewed on mobile phone with the quality of  a digital TV. This could decrease the amount of televisions being sold, also increase the amount of mobile phone sold. As well as increase the amount of paid television used by consumers.