ICT and Employment

In the present world with the growth of ICT, there become more advantages and disadvantages of it. One example can be of a designer as now computers can do things quicker than a person could as a result of the computer's ability to monitor enviroments and improved processors. A designer might now create something on a 3D design programme on a computer rather than on paper. He can also send the designs off to someone else to vet them via computer and get the reply back also via computer. He can then instead of manually manufacturing the product. He can then use a computer and CAM (computer aided manufacture) to create his CAD (computer aided design)  designed product using a CNC (Computer Numerical control) machine. The manufacturing also includes from Integrated manufacturing cells which themselves are often computers. As a result of computers they can now also distribute products either to a warehouse or customer's address. The products in the warehouse also now have no need for people to move stuff around as they now use Computerised retreval to get products down for distribution. The stock control is now done by computer as well as the distribution and ordering of new products.

Another job that is improved by ICT in the workplace is in Banking. Instead of someone writing down what a customer had paid in or withdrawn, they can just type in the amount into the computer and the amount will be credited to their account. That also removes the need for paper records as nowadays they are trying to phase out paper bank statements as well to remove the need for someone to print out statements and send them off as they will just be sent electronically to a person direct. 

Jobs are now under threat with the ideas computers taking ther places as employers try to cut costs. However as some manual jobs go more computer based work comes into effect as now most jobs require their employees to be computer literate, a skill that was only avaliable to few people a few years ago. Computer programmes such as EXCEL Spreadsheet which was originally only used by accountants is now required for many new jobs. The jobs that are created are often computer technicians to run the computers, Software Engineers (Computer Programmer) to set up the system and those who are computer literate to train companies' employees to use new computer systems. Jobs in the gaming industry is also a major employer for computer literate people. The jobs that are under threat from computers are those who work in warehouses and move products around them, factory workers can be replaced by compter run machines and mechanics can also be replaced by computers which diagnose the problems to save time and labour costs.

The advantages of a computer in the workplace allows certain tasks such as sending messages between depatments easier, the inspection proccess in manufacturing to be better, can save company bosses money in the long run over employing someone. The case is also that the best performing buisness companies are those which use computers. Companies such as Microsoft, Apple, Google, Facebook, PC World all bring profits in thanks to computers. The mobile telephone industry also profits by selling the latest computing technology in their mobile phones.

The disadvantages are that due to computers also being able to answer company helpline phone calls such as the British Airways Flight Enquires Phone Line, people don't feel comfortable talking to a machine that could misunderstand you if you have a strong accent. the cost to set up a computer system costs a lot in the short term for companies and they'd have to pay more staff to set it up so it bcomes so expensive, that it is not finacially viable for small buisnesses.

In conclusing, ICT at work creates as well as destroys jobs along with making current worker's jobs much easier and allowing companies to increase efficiantcy