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The functional areas in a business can work on the same or different projects. Ultimately, they share the same goal: achieve the aims of the business.
It is, therefore, very important that they cooperate and communicate with each other and the customers.
Communication should be fast, efficient and inexpensive; ICT can ensure this happens. It can be very expensive to install but can then lead to cost savings.
What methods of communication do you think are used between the functional areas?
Sophisticated till systems are used in shops and catering outlets which require a bar code to be scanned to produce the price of an item.
EPOS (Electronic Point Of Sale) is used for all products. It involves linking bar code scanners to the central stock control system – a computerized database which monitors all sales and produces detailed reports.
Purchases inside Tesco stores and on their website are processed electronically. The data from each purchase is stored in a database. The functional areas access that information and use it to perform their tasks and assess whether or not they are meeting their objectives.
How could Tesco’s other functional areas use the data from EPOS to perform their tasks?
Marketing, for example, build up customer profiles. This helps them target the right market segments. Tesco’s loyalty card, ‘Clubcard’, has enabled it to construct the UK’s largest database.
At Thorpe Park, walkie-talkies are used by the staff to relay security information. Each department has its own channel so that all of the staff within a department can be in constant contact with each other and with the other departments.
The security of every business and organization is taken very seriously and ICT plays a vital role.
CCTV (closed circuit television) cameras are used in most premises and are linked to video recorders and monitors which security guards watch. Alarms that are set off automatically send security alerts, either to the police or the fire service.
This information is visible on a screen watched by the operator in the control cabin. The system detects faults and potential problems. It also monitors the locking of safety bars and a ride cannot start until they are locked.
Many of Thorpe Park’s rides use computer control systems to ensure safety. They are fed by mechanical levers and have optical or magnetic sensors to detect the speed, number and frequency of the carriages.
Bonnie Tate is a sole trader. She produces and sells ice cream through her business, Bonnie’s Ice Creams which is based on the harbour in Whitstable, Kent.
Bonnie’s Ice Creams does not have departments to perform different functions; Bonnie works alone and must complete all of the tasks herself.
Draw a spider diagram to show which tasks Bonnie could use ICT in to save time and money.