© Boardworks Ltd 2007 1 of 25 Functional Areas and ICT Functional Areas and ICT Unit 1: Investigating Business © Boardworks Ltd 2007 Teacher’s notes included

© Boardworks Ltd 20071 of 25

Functional Areas and ICT

Functional Areas and ICT

Unit 1: Investigating Business

© Boardworks Ltd 2007

Teacher’s notes included in the Notes PageFlash activity. These activities are not editable.

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Icons key: For more detailed instructions, see the Getting Started presentation

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1 of 25


Learning objectives


Why must the functional areas within a business work together?

How does ICT help the different functional areas perform their tasks efficiently?

How does ICT help businesses save money?

Why is ICT vital for security and safety?


Working together


Working together


Communication

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?


Methods of communication


ICT communication


Uses of ICT in business

ICT (Information and Communication Technology) can make organizations more efficient by saving money and improving quality. ICT is used for:

internal communications

data sharing

security systems

external communications

online support for customers

electronic transactions

production.

Try to think of some specific examples of how ICT helps functional areas work efficiently.


Uses of ICT


Uses of ICT


Uses of ICT


Databases


Bar codes and EPOS

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.


Electronic purchases at Tesco

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.


Internet sales

How could a business selling over the Internet make sure that its sales transactions are secure?


ICT at Thorpe Park

Internet sales

cash registers

ride control

security

Below are some of the uses of ICT at Thorpe Park.

Can you add any more uses for ICT at Thorpe Park to the spider diagram?


The security of premises

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.


Ride safety at Thorpe Park

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.

Why are these safety measures necessary?


Ride control safety


Using ICT to complete tasks


ICT software packages


ICT in a small business

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.


Question time!

1. A secretary needs to arrange a meeting for the UK

managers of HSBC bank, how could she use ICT to

help her to communicate this to them?

2. The cosmetics company L’Oreal sells its products

in many different countries. How can it store its data

on products, sales and customers so it can be

accessible to lots of their employees?

3. Explain why selling over the Internet could save a

large floristry business time and money.


Who wants to be an A* student?


Glossary

Documents

© Boardworks Ltd 2007 1 of 25 Functional Areas and ICT Functional Areas and ICT Unit 1: Investigating Business © Boardworks Ltd 2007 Teacher’s notes included