Impact and Benefits of Telecommunication Technology Essay

The emergence of what has been termed the information age is in oerlarge part characterized by the presence of real-time conversations technologies. Tele communions technologies atomic number 18 in operation continuously and in virtu exclusivelyy all separate of the world. Tele communions al-Qaida is an beta facilitator of economic growth and may be important to any(prenominal) train of social growth in the world system. Technology does non create in the altogether ages, only if the tidy sum who practise the engineering consume the potential to forge naked as a jaybird economic and social conditions (Goleniewski, and Jarrett, 2006).As this impertinently information age emerges from the ashes of the industrial r organic evolution in many atomic number 18as of the world, immature behaviors of production emerge. Previously non-existent factors are prominent in the new digital age. In general, technology has always been thought of as an important aspect of production a nd driver of economic growth, but telecoms technology is sometimes overlooked as an initiator of development. This paper will explore the impingement of telecommunications floors and use of the videoconferencing development in Education, Health complaint and Business.Telecommunication Technologies in OrganizationsOrganizations egress to be evolving toward new forms such as virtual organizations, spherical organizations, fighting(a) net employment organizations and network organizations (Hinterhuber and Levin, 1994). These forms may be a chemical reaction to ever-changing environmental conditions. An important characteristic of these forms organizations is distributed collaboration (i.e., work spread crosswise personnel in many locations). The use of information technology in support of these forms is on the rise (Lucas and Baroudi, 1994).With the widespread usage of electronic communication facilities such as facsimile, electronic mail, tele throng and videoconferencing, phys ical-meeting places are becoming slight of a necessity (Goleniewski, and Jarrett, 2006). Additionally, telecommuting, or working from home using computing device communications that started in the 1980s has gained momentum with improved support in recent years, and this has alike traps the need for physical meeting places. In addition, federal official laws (e.g. Clean Air Act of 1990) require businesses employing more than one light speed employees in one location to reduce their employees commute time (Venkatesh and Vitalari, 1992). study and communication technologies are the tools to run all business activities. The introduction of new technologies is expected to hand dynamic ramifications on the regularitys organizations do business (Remenyi, 2000). This come together interaction in the midst of information technologies and business operations makes it very troublesome to predict the full range of possible benefits jounce of the technology murder. few aspects of r eal-time communication systems as computer-mediated communication and videoconferencing may produce real(a) benefits that directly improve the performance of groups in the organizations (Goleniewski, and Jarrett, 2006).The direct benefits of real-time communication systems stem from 1) Reduce work delays and incidents of rework ascribable to fast response from information sources, maturationd information availability, or reduced ambiguity in existing information 2) Improve quality of work due to well-timed and better decision making, clearer instructions, and reduced ambiguity in information 3) date savings for contractor and engineer due to decreased need for resignation of formal requests for information (RFIs) 4) Considerable savings in costs related to stumble to attend meetings or to resolve issues. On the otherwise hand, telecommunication technologies may produce several intangible improvements in the general work environment. Those benefits are more difficult to measu re, however, they may have critical impact on flip success (Remenyi, 2000).teleconferencingTeleconferencing, defined as groups of people communicating electronically between locations break out(a)d by distance and/or time, is a technology that has become beneficial for reading, healthcare and business.It brook be an effective tool for conducting important decision-making or problem solving meetings that exponent not otherwise be held. It do-nothing reduce unproductive travel time, optimize attendance and nark to scarce talent, and provide an excellent education and training medium. In other words, teleconferencing can significantly increase productivity and efficiency, can improve management communications at all levels, and can significantly enhance business opportunities when use appropriately (Johansen, 1984, p. 20).Teleconferencing is a broad term encompassing four basic types of communication audioconferencing, conferencing, computer conferencing and videoconferencing. Each of these areas of concern can and has been integrated within a single teleconferencing system.VideoconferencingTo many users, the term teleconferencing manner unless videoconferencing. Videoconferencing is one form of teleconferencing, and a form of teleconferencing that allows geographically separate conferees to see and take in each other. Videoconferencing can be divided into the pursual categories clam up video, inter spry drive video, and one-way broadcast video (Johansen, 1984, pp. 21-3).Videoconferencing images are transmitted over a miscellany of telecommunications networks including the telephone network, a compress digital network of transmission capacity and analog networks using mundane or satellite systems. Videoconferencing systems can be categorized as still video, T1 video, fiber optics, analog baseband and/or direct broadcast satellite systems (Wilcox, 2000, pp.7-9). stir and Benefits of VideoconferencingSince videoconferencing can encompass all forms o f teleconferencing, it was selected as the focus for this paper. Videoconferencing is important to the field of education, business, healthcare because it can passport a cost effective way of imparting the message to consumers who might not otherwise have an hazard to receive valuable information. Often, because of monetary constraints, pedagogues complain that they are unable to offer courses to all students who want to take them. If the situation is one in which on that point are only a few subject matter experts, but a large number of willing students, time often inhibits the educators ability to reach all interested students (Wilcox, 2000).On the other hand, in many states due to geographic size, all students cannot be reached. many another(prenominal) moldiness travel great distances to obtain an education on a campus environment or forgo the education. There are also situations where, due to accidents or ill health, students are unable to attend classes. Videoconferencing can hand over a cost effective means to reach a large, by chance remote, audience and impart a simultaneous message (Johansen, 1984).In business, videoconferencing has been used to increase productivity and efficiency, improve management communications, and make better use of scarce talent. Education can be viewed as business-students provide revenue-institutions are competitively seeking to increase revenue by expanding enrollments. Like business, institutions of high learning need to find innovative ways to increase enrollment, limit administrative costs and improve the quality of their product education (Wilcox, 2000).Videoconferencing was primarily promoted as an alternative to traditional face-to-face meetings, and as a means for an organization to save money in travel expenses for employees, however the benefits have gone far beyond travel savings. Videoconferencing changes the way organizations glide by. More economical meetings can be conducted, since access to people and information is easier, and information can be communicated to as many people as need to hear the message. The potential for higher quality decision-making is greater because the opportunity exists for greater access to needed decision-makers.Videoconferencing improves and expedites the flow of information so that an organization can oppose quickly to business opportunities and customer problems. Meetings tend to be more focused, cut down extraneous talk. The time intervals that occur between information processing, decision-making and implementing action is greatly reduced, which can improve an organizations competitive action in the market (Combs, 1990).Problem definition is easier when videoconferencing is implemented, as projects can be monitored from branch to end. Videoconferencing enables organizations to maximize use of subject matter experts, whose talents may be mandatory by many departments of an organization. Videoconferencing is currently being utilized by a numbe r of institutions in Education, Healthcare and Business. The examples cited below utilize a variety of organizations and applications for videoconferencing.Education, Healthcare and Business Organizations Using VideoconferencingIn 1977, the Central Maine Interactive Telecommunications dust (CMITS) was started to facilitate exchange of educational information among seven health care institutions. CMITS provides motion videoconferencing with educational programming for health professionals. An emphasis was placed on planning education programs, rather than producing shows. The CMITS experience led to the establishment of the Aroostook County Telecommunications governance (ACTS).The interconnection between CMITS and ACTS allows members to share educational programs within the state. The systems are also members of the Association of Hospital Television Networks, a national consortium of 30 regional television networks providing educational services to staff and patients at over 900 h ospitals nationwide (Niemiec, 1980).In 1969, Dartmouth Medical School set up INTERACT, a two-way video link between two hospitals for communication between health care professionals. The system was later expanded to provide move education, assistance to rural physicians, and engineering courses. The system is currently being marketed to a larger user base, including businesses in surrounding communities. The network director, Bill Loftus advises other groups who might be using videoconferencing that content is the headstone.Expansion of network uses is the adjacent step. The system provides another example of the espousal and usage of videoconferencing. It also demonstrates how organizations can work together to mutually benefit from the adoption and usage of videoconferencing technology (Gold, 1985, pp. 79-84).The ability of videoconferencing technology to bring together urban and rural parts of the state of Minnesota in an interactive two-way environment was key to the high ra ting and acceptability of videoconferencing in a buffer storage project at the University of Minnesota. The general reaction of participants from both the Twin Cities and Morris locations was one of zeal for the potential of the technology to bring groups together over distance for matters and issues of general concern (Peltz and Kolomeychuk, 1992, p. 98).There are a number of organizations which have adoptive videoconferencing and have studied the need for the technology and its usage once installed. The following businesses are examples of firms that have conducted studies either prior to or after capital punishment to assess the need for and effectiveness of videoconferencing.The Boeing Company, headquartered in Seattle, Washington, began using videoconferencing in 1979 in order to meet a compressed release schedule on the introduction of the 757 aircraft. A system that began as a novel effect to a specific problem has evolved into a highly productive method of doing busines s. In five years, over 5,900 Boeing videoconferences have been attended by more than 160,000 employees, avoiding 1.6 million travel miles in the Puget Sound area alone (Whaley, 1986, pp. 113-120).Atlantic Richfield (ARCO) began using videoconferencing in the early 1980s to allow employees to effectively communicate with one another, even though physically separated. ARCO did not know who the active users would be or what applications would be developed, and therefore, decided to conduct ongoing look for regarding the adoption and usage of videoconferencing. Research was conducted by interviewing potential users in front, during and after implementation and usage of videoconferencing.The success of videoconferencing has in large part been achieved by generating a comprehensive entropy base of potential users. The research program resulted in a system uniquely tailored to ARCOs needs, and therefore, employees feel a sense of ownership and involvement in system design and evolution (Ruchinskas and Svenning, 1984, pp. 166 -173).Pratt and Whitney began using Eagle Vision II, a motion videoconferencing system, in March, 1986. The utmost system design reflects a combination of operational requirements established through with(predicate) internal research into meeting characteristics and travel patterns. Pratt and Whitney believes it was only fortunate because goodly time and effort were spent in understanding the requirements, applications and needs of its users before a system was developed and implemented (Truesdale, 1985, pp. 128 -139).Martin Marietta, a technology intensifier corporation engaged in design, manufacture, and integration of systems and products in the aerospace, defense, electronics, and information and data management fields, tested and evaluated audiographics conferencing, still frame videoconferencing and motion videoconferencing to break if teleconferencing was feasible to support company communications. Martin Marietta also wanted to de termine what types of meetings and what level of participants would use teleconferencing.During a 90 day pilot program of motion videoconferencing, Martin Marietta conducted close to 100 conferences with approximately 75% using the standard conference room to conference room configuration. As a result of the pilot program, Martin Marietta decided to implement a motion videoconferencing system with several sites in order to improve overall corporate communications (McKinny, 1986, pp. 367 371).Patrick Combs of Levi Strauss states that for videoconferencing to be successful, it must achieve widespread adoption and effective use. By allowing users to try out videoconferencing in a relaxed environment, without expectations, the videophone made the conferencing concept less intimidating, and encouraged adoption (Combs, 1990, pp. 100).Levi Strauss trialed the use of videophones (inexpensive, desktop videoconferencing units that use normal dial-up phone lines and personal computers) to det ermine how readily users would utilize the technology if it were easy to use. The conclusion was that videoconferencings successful adoption within an organization is dependent on more than dependable the hardware. Successful adoption also depends on how accessible the technology is to its users (Combs, 1990, pp. 100-103). endingBecause a communications network assists in the interaction of individuals it can be essential to knowledge universe. These networks will facilitate an economic and social development they are to the information age what railroads were to the industrial age.Telecommunications like videoconferencing, therefore, to play a large part in how these networks evolve, and thus will impact the creation of knowledge in the future. In the past, telecommunications policy has been primarily focused on physical infrastructure. In the information age, it has become apparent that managers and policy-makers must go ballistic their focus to emphasize the information side o f telecommunications. It is not the creation of the infrastructure itself that will be the major source of profitability, but rather the developing of the infrastructure to create knowledge.