Advantages of intranet
- Users can communicate using email, bulletin board and messaging facilities
- Users can share resources
- Users can find general information about the organisation
Expand ISP
Internet service Provider
Services an ISP provides
- A variety of bandwidth options
- An email service
- Web servers that connect to search engines on the internet
Uses of an ADSL modem
- Expands the bandwidth available for data transfer
- Transfer data from the internet to your computer
- Transfers data form your computer to the internet
Expand PSTN
Public Switch Telephone Network
Expand ADSL
Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line
What is a fax machine
A fax machine is made up of a printer and an optical scanner
Advantages of a FAX machine
- Fax machines can transmit drawings and handwritten documents
- Most computers all users to send digital files as faxes
- PC users with a fax/modern can send electronic documents to fax machines
Disadvantages of fax machines
- A fax machine is expensive to buy
- A dedicated fax line is required so that the incoming faxes are not interrupted by telephone calls
- If the fax machine is free to receive the document it has to be sent again
VOIP
-Voice over Internet Protocol
-Users can download VoIP software
-Calls can be made form PC to phone or from PC to PC
-VoIP is cheaper than a normal phone call as it uses a broadband connection
E.g Skype
Expand EFT
Electronic funds transfer
Expand EFTPOS
Electronic funds transfer point of sale
EFT/EFTPOS
- When customers pay for goods in shops or online using credit or debit cards they are involved in electronic processing of monies
- Money is transferred electronically from the costumers account to the retailer’s account using specialized secure equipment
- An EFTPOS terminal is use at the checkout
- It is a computer including a barcode scanner and a CHIP AND PIN terminal.
Typical information on a barcode
- A product code
- A manufacturer code
- A country of origin code
- A check digit
What happens when a barcode is scanned at an EFTPOS terminal:
- The barcode scanner reads the barcode on the product and sends it to the computer
- The computer used the barcode to search the stock file, when the product is found, the price and description are sent back to the EFTPOS terminal. The branch then updates the stock level
- The product price and description are displayed at the EFTPOS terminal and printed on the receipt. If a scanned barcode cannot be matched an error message is shown
Expand PIN
Personal identification number
Why happens when you pay for goods and services using a chip and Pin terminal
- The card is placed into a chip and PIN terminal
- The terminal access the contents of the chip, prompting the customer to verify the transaction details
- The entered PIN is checked against the PIN stored on the card
- It the two match the transaction can be completed otherwise the transaction is aborted
Advantages of EFTPOS
CUSTOMER: -There is less chance of theft as no cash is used
-Customers using debit cards can obtain cash at the checkouts
VENDOR: -Money is deposited immediately into the shop bank account
-There is less chance of human error as cash does not have to counted by cashier
Disadvantages of EFTPOS
CUSTOMER:-Some people don’t have bank accounts or prefer to use cash
-Customers may have to pay a fee for each transaction
VENDOR:-Shops are charged a fee by the card company for each transaction
-Initial set-up costs are high, the systems are expensive to install
Services offered by ATMs
- Withdrawing cash (with or without receipt)
- Ordering a bank statement
- Ordering a new chèque book
Advantages of ATMs
- Bans need fewer employees behind counters
- Customers have access to their accounts 24/7
- Customers can’t withdraw cash from their accounts unless they have the sufficient funds
Online banking services
- View recent transactions
- Pay bills online
- Transfer money from one account to another
Advantages of online banking
- Transactions don’t have to be carried out in the bank
- The website is available 24/7
- Transactions can be made faster online then face to face
Advantages of online banking for the bank
- Fewer branches and staff are required
- Banks can produce electronic statements
- Banks can attract a larger customer base
