Information Communication Technologies

How new technology changes and affects business processes?

As we all know, the highly advanced world that we live in today is brought about mainly by globalisation. Our shrinking world is caused by our advancement in technology and the humans’ never-ending thought process in the innovation of the current state of technology. One of the driving factors of globalisation is technology. It facilitates businesses of today to be able to quickly share information with their associates. This reduces the number of communication break downs and as well as encourages faster response time to customers and to decision making. Hence, it is in my onus to discuss about how technology changes and affects business.

A top of mind example on how new technologies can change and affect business processes is banking. Banking in the 1980s was a tedious chore that involved the long waiting time at the bank to start up a new account or to even withdraw money. However, with technology, the withdrawal of money has been made easier via Automated Teller Machines (ATM). This has greatly reduced the waiting time in the banks and has very much reduced the work load of the bank officers and at the same time, it offers 24/7 accessibility by consumers. Another similar example which shows that technology has played a crucial part in making banking a less complex process is online banking. Online banking has allowed the customers of the bank to be able to manage their finances from home. Although online banking has faced its setbacks, technology has also played its part through the methods of anti-phishing and firewalls. This is to ensure that online banking would be safe and efficient. AXS stations found island wide of Singapore has also shown how technology has affected business processes. AXS stations are a network of self service terminals that provides an extensive range of transactional e-Services to consumers for the payment of bills and many others. This technology has made the business process a whole lot easier and a great deal more convenient for consumers.

Global Positioning Systems (GPS) is a technology developed by the Americans initially for military uses. However, DHL Express is a company that specialises in the express delivery, has put such a technology to good use. DHL express has enabled the consumer to use the GPS systems to trace their packages and thus, gave them the cutting edge in the industry. DHL Express has won several awards and won recognition internationally for its innovative use of the GPS technology and is now sustaining its leading position in the logistics industry.

In conclusion, it is evident that technology plays a big role in our modern world of today and it has certainly have affected the business world and made significant changes to its processes. It is in goodwill to say that much more money will be spent on the innovation of these technologies and that in the future, a more advanced technology will be implemented to replace our current technology. A more promising and tech-savvy future awaits to further change and affect our lives and business processes, to provide expediency.

Information and communication technologies (ICT) is everywhere around us, the mobile phones that enable us to check e-mails on the go, the wireless internet available almost anywhere in Singapore and how computers have become an everyday essential in our lives. ICT is transforming businesses and the way they communicate with consumers.

How does Information Communication Technologies (ICT) change the hotel industry - hotel reservation?

With ICT, planning a holiday trip has never been easier. Equipped with internet network and a credit card, you can book your air tickets, hotels and make immediate payment via websites like HOTELS.COM, ZUJI.COM and ASIATRAVEL.COM, anytime anywhere. There are extensive amount of information available on the world web wide that allows consumers to make well-informed decisions regarding their hotel reservations.

These agencies websites offers one-stop services that provide solutions dedicated to find the right hotel for consumers just like any other hotel agencies. The search function on the website allows consumers to search for their preferred hotel easily. Consumers who are undecided can utilize the search function to find a hotel according to preference. Further information such as hotel room availability, facilities, other customer’s feedbacks, ratings, pricing, pictures and the map (Google’s Street/Satellite View) of hotel’s location are also available thanks to advancement of technologies. With the website, agencies make available other miscellaneous services such as travel guides, videos, currency converters and tie ups with many other corresponding firms such as travel insurance, airline and credit card companies. ICT enables vast amount of information to be easily shared and communicated among consumers.

ASIATRAVEL.COM suggests last minute promotional deals while HOTELS.COM’s Price Match Guarantee promises its customers that they offer the lowest rate possibly found on the internet or else they would refund the difference. The availability of information regarding the hotels saves consumers the hassle of running around travel agencies to find the hotel of their choice and at the cheapest rate.

Once payment is made with a credit card via a secured website, a confirmation letter would be sent swiftly to the client’s e-mail. The advantages of making online bookings are that certain websites, such as HOTELS.COM allow cancellation of reservations with no cost incurred.

A virtual shop front allows travel agencies to cut operating costs thus transferring the savings to consumers who are able to make hotel reservations at cheaper rates.  Internet has changed the way agencies reach out to their consumers. They are no longer limited to one geographical location but are still able to reach out to the global market. Communication across countries is made possible and low cost.

ICT enables agencies to store data of consumer’s information and preferences such as previously booked hotels, which can be retrieved in future for references. Agencies are able to e-mail customers of current offers and promotions which would greatly reduce marketing cost for the company. As an alternative to expensive TV advertisements, agencies could use videos as a channel of communication to reach out to consumers.