Reviewing ICT in Your Business Hardware – computer system & peripherals Software Internet connection E-mail Security – anti-virus software, firewall etc.

Reviewing ICT in Your Business

• Hardware – computer system & peripherals • Software• Internet connection • E-mail• Security – anti-virus software, firewall etc • ICT back-up system• Website/e-commerce• Telecommunications• Health & safety/legislation

ICT Review

Identification of Needs

ICT Development Strategy

Current Situation

Action Plans

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IT HardwareComputer system• Central processing

unit (CPU)• Memory• Hard drive• CD Rom• Expansion cards• Modem• Monitors• Keyboard• Mouse• Speakers

• Other Computer Hardware• Laptops• Printers• Scanners• Digital cameras• Personal Digital Assistant (PDA)• External hard drives & devices• Networking equipment• Wireless Application Protocol (WAP) • Bespoke computerised production

equipment

• Cost/budget • Running costs (e.g. toner for printer)• Function/purpose• Upgrade/replacement• Compatibility• Utilisation of existing resources – monitors, keyboards• Capability• Operating system • Supplier reputation• Warranty – on site or return to vendor• Maintenance/maintenance contract• Network or stand alone• Space and office furniture required

Hardware - Some issues for consideration

Types of Software• Word processing• Spreadsheets• Databases • Desktop publishing• Presentation & graphics• Web design• Accounting/book-keeping• Tax returns• Payroll/PAYE• Computer Telephony

Integration (CTI)

• Anti-virus, firewall, spam killer, pop up blocker

• E-mail/Internet browser• Route finder• Diary management• Utilities• Storage/back up• Computer Aided Design (CAD)• Professional bespoke software

packages

Software & Factors to Consider

• Purpose• Costs• Updates/upgrades• Compatibility• Training• Computer capacity• Reliability• Security• Licences• Legal liabilities

Benefits of Broadband• Faster downloads• Faster file transfer• Instant e-mail• Instant messaging• Lower costs than ISDN• Increased speed of Internet access• Continuous e-mail delivery and dispatch• Combined use of Internet and telephone• Enhanced efficiency• Improved communication• Cost savings• Better flexibility• Increased productivity• Better customer service

Northern Ireland Broadband 100% Flagship Initiative

100% Broadband

Type of Threats• Internet Threats• Viruses• Worms• Trojans• Hackers

• Hardware Threats• Power faults• Redundancy• Incompatibility• Malicious damage• Careless damage• Human error• Theft• Static electricity

Implications of Threats• Loss of information/files• Inability to function• Cost of recovery• Cost of repair• Loss of productive time• Loss of sales/customers• Impact on professionalism• Passing on viruses

Preventative Measures• Develop a protection plan• Utilise software & technology• Develop an Internet usage policy• Develop a code of practice• Implement a back-up system

Software Protection• AVG Professional www.grisoft.com• Command www.authentium.com• E-Trust EZ armor Suite www.my-etrust.com• F-Secure www.f-secure.com• McAfee http://uk.mcafee.com• MIMESweeper www.mimesweeper.com• Norton www.symantec.com• Panda www.pandasecurity.com• Sophos www.sophos.com• Trend PC-Cillin www.antivirus.com• Trend micro www.trendmicro.com

Computer Back-Up Strategy

• Identify what to back up

Documents & files E-mail messages Office templates and

dictionaries Internet Explorer favorites

and/or bookmarks

• Decide on back-up method

In built back-up utility Online storage Storage devices CD ROM/DVD

• Define the time frame Daily Weekly Monthly Bi monthly

• Organise data for back up

• Ascertain costs• Identify who

responsible

Internet/E-Commerce

Activity

SERVICING

CUSTOMERS

SOURCING

RESOURCES

ServicesRaw materialsConsumables

EquipmentInformation

TravelE-banking

PromotionOrderingPayment

Sales leadsFAQ

Customer careCustomer support

Market research

E-commerce – A Two Way Street

Reference site – Sites which provide specific, dynamic information www.bbc.co.uk www.weather.com

Promotional site – Simply an on-line brochure – no interactivity http://www.bunbegholidayhomes.com/ http://www.rockhillpark.biz/ http://www.davidhalluk.com/

Transactional site – A site where we can transact business at any time www.easyjet.com

Hybrid site – any combination of the above http://www.rathmullancottages.com

Types of Websites

Telecommunication Options• Landline• Answering machine• Mobile/voice mail• Hands free kits• Fax• Telephone conferencing• Web cams• Web phones• Blue tooth headsets• Universal Mobile Telecommunication Systems (UMTS)• Computer Telephony Integration (CTI)• Video conferencing

Reducing Telecommunications Costs

• Review costs regularly• Research and compare supplier prices• Consider fixed line and special discount deals• Challenge your supplier regularly for the best deal• Minimise time spent on the telephone

Methods of Finding Information on the Internet

• Search engines • Meta search engines• Subject portals • Newsgroups and discussion forums • Mailing Lists • Online hosts • Web addresses

Searching the Internet• Define the information you want to find• Use advanced search options • Use signs: + or –• Use words: and, or, minus• Use speech marks “antivirus”

• Use wildcard characters: ‘clothing*'

Saving Information Found on the Internet