Investigation of the impact of developments in computing technology

Over the past few decades society has become largely dependent on technology both professionally and personally and as technology continues to advance at this rapid pace organisations and companies are required in many cases to remain up to date with these advancements in order to stay relevant. The constant emergence of new technologies creates the opportunity for organisations to gain the upper hand on their competitors by implementing them in ways that their customers would find innovative and useful. There are however factors that need to be considered, as much as we would like our favourite brands to incorporate the newest and coolest emerging technologies it should be understood that these organisations must assess and evaluate the impact and risks that are associated with such implementation. That will be the primary focus of this article, throughout I will discuss and evaluate the risks related to implementing a new computer system, the impact of developments in computing over the last 10 years and what the impact might be of emerging technologies.

Explanation of the impact that developments in computing have had on an organisation.

We have reached a point in time where technology is used in within many aspects of life with the majority of educational, personal and professional activities relying on some form of computing. This level of dependency has come along with the constant development of new hardware and software tailored to suit the needs of consumers over the years. It was not too long ago that computers were a high-end luxury item that only the wealthy possessed however as time has gone on and technology has become more accessible to the average consumer. The ever-increasing use of computers and other technology comes mostly from the fact that with each development there are more tasks that can be performed, or older tasks become easier. When personal computers were first available they had little functionality and were not of much use to those who were not interested in computing or require one for their job.

In order to get the most out of the devices we use in computing, there comes the need to constantly improve the tools that we use. Hardware and software are the two primary components that make pretty much all technology work, and advancements in one field often do not mean much if the other is not moving along at the same pace. Creating a sophisticated program is a great achievement however it means almost nothing if there is no hardware available to run the program. Likewise creating the most capable computer means very little if there is not software capable of utilising its power. This is the reason that both areas will advance together at a steady rate; as file sizes increase, storage capacity on drives will increase, as power consumption increases, battery capacity will increase and so on. The improvements in both of these areas has caused for a number of trends to take control of the direction that computing is heading, with one of the main directions being in mobile computing.

Laptops, tablets and mobile phones are all examples of the way in which people carry around very powerful computing devices in their daily lives. Developments in hardware have allowed for manufacturers to condense physical components so that they are able to fit into portable devices meanwhile still being able to perform to the same of similar standards. Similarly, software advancements have allowed for programs to be optimised for portable devices, application and battery management have had to be improved to allow for using devices for a significant amount of time without power coming from an outlet or external battery source. The focus on mobile computing has had a positive effect on productivity in a number of areas, previously many jobs required staff to be in the office to access company files and complete their work however this is where the improvement of software and hardware have changed the work environment. More frequently than ever you will now see a people using laptops and other portable devices on trains, planes and in cafés to complete their work, this is as the devices have same capabilities of the devices that they have in a traditional office. Cloud computing, remote access and virtualisation are just a few of the computing techniques that can be utilised to transform a laptop into a fully-fledged desktop capable of completing even the most demanding of task. In addition to this, high end laptops with the latest developments in hardware and software are able to handle very intensive applications such as those used for video editing or 3D modelling.

A huge development in the world of computing came with the introduction of the cloud as a way in which we are able to store, access and distribute information. Cloud computing provided a valuable way for software to be distributed and accessed through the use of the internet and also allowed for new opportunities in terms of collaborating with people from other parts of the world. Both for personal use and professional use, cloud technology allows for organisations to become more flexible in the way that they work. With the potential the cloud computing provides, no longer are staff limited to single locations when looking to access certain files or upload data to a company server. There are however security concerns regarding cloud computing, specifically when it involves the transfer of sensitive information such as that of customers and staff. The constant transfer of data over networks provides cyber criminals with the opportunity to intercept and alter data before it reaches its destination. These security risks are part of the reason that many organisations have chosen to mix the use of onsite networks and cloud-based networks, a technique that is often referred to as hybrid cloud computing. This method of storing data allows for organisations to become more flexible in the way that they are able to store data, sensitive data can be stored locally on site whereas less sensitive data can be stored in either a private or third-party cloud.

Despite the power and sophistication of the hardware and software that is in current use there will become a time when it is looked upon as being primitive as is the case with the majority of technology. In order to truly take advantage devices, they need to remain u to date with the latest releases as they become available. Updating software application or operating systems is a fairly simple task as the update will often be pushed by the developer and will rarely require much work from a client perspective. With the exception of complete overhauls of software updates will also look to avoid compatibility issues by ensuring the software is able to run on hardware that is capable of running its predecessor. Unfortunately, the same cannot be said for hardware; developments in this area tend to be less frequent in comparison to software and are also less likely to be free. Whereas software is often updated, hardware is upgraded; this means that rather than changes being made to an existing product, a new and improved product will be released for purchase. As the sophistication of software applications become more demanding organisations should ensure that they are upgrading the hardware that they are using to maintain compatibility and performance levels throughout all of their systems. Many organisations, when purchasing new hardware will look to plan for the future by purchasing components and system that exceed the minimum requirements of the software they use, this way they are not required to update their systems every time they are required to update or upgrade their software. Future proofing systems is one of the key ways organisations can plan for the future whilst also attempting to keep costs low which is usually one of the primary goals.  

Naturally the majority of organisations will have competitors who operate within the same area or provide similar products and services and for this reason it is important for them to put effort into gaining, maintaining and potentially improving the competitive edge over organisations in the same field. Due to the ever-increasing role that computing plays in even the most basic business operations, ensuring the systems in place are up to date and as efficient as possible is key in maintaining to gaining the lead on potential competitors, the quick way in which markets are changing means that other organisation can become eager to utilise computing in new ways. Online retail is a prime example of a way in which market demands have changed the way in which organisations operate and market whilst also increasing the amount resources used for computing. The convenience and easy access of internet enabled devices has been one of the primary reasons for the increasing popularity of online shopping among consumers and in most cases organisations to. Many of us are used to the fact that we can shop from the comfort of our own house and get next day delivery so when an organisation chooses to sell items online it is not seen as using technology to take advantage of new markets, this however was not always the case.

It was not too long ago that the concept of purchasing items online as opposed to visiting a retail store and there was once a time where choosing to sell items online carried a much greater risk and more foresight into what e-commerce could develop into. Amazon is a prime example of a company that used the development of new technologies to take advantage of new markets and opportunities as launching a marketplace that had no physical stores was very unusual at the time. Fast forward to the present day, the internet is flooded with online only stores as the presence of online shopping becomes harder to ignore and due to their farsightedness companies such as Amazon and eBay who chose to embrace online shopping early are worth billions in the current economy.

Despite the growth of online shopping, many organisations understand that traditional shopping in physical location still has a relevant place in society. Understanding the balance between the two has allowed for a number of retailers to reap the benefits of both avenues to maximise profits, the diversity of consumers in this day and age means that catering the most people requires options. Physical stores are still the preference for a number of people as technology can often seem cold and unforgiving whereas stores with human staff members who are able to assist are perceived to be more customer friendly. Returns and product issues are also areas in which online retail stores have not yet been able to compare to physical locations in terms of ease for the average consumer, the comfort of human interaction is often the reason people choose to visit physical locations.

Ensuring that their operations are cost effective is key to the success of organisations and as developments in technology continue to progress it has a knock-on effect on the cost of certain systems. As new products and services become available, previous iterations will decrease in value and therefore not require the same cost of upkeep, organisations will measure their cost against their requirements and calculate where technology can be used to cut costs without compromising quality or company values. Customer service is a common area in which organisations technology can be used to cut costs whilst also improving the way in which customers can communicate with the organisation. Webchats, video calls and automated services are just a few of the developments that have allowed for customer service to thrive whilst also maintaining a reasonable cost.

Automation is another way in a wide variety of organisations work to maintain output costs when providing a number of services, the increased functionality of technology has allowed for automated machines to exceed humans in both productivity and precision. The use of automation has been used frequently in a number of industries and the constant improvement of new technologies has allowed for the process to become more efficient over since its original inception.

Explanation of the likely impact of an emerging technology on organisations

Whether we like it or not technology and computing has gotten to a point at which development and emerging technologies are popping up at a rapid rate. Devices ranging from mobile phones to television are being released every day, each one incorporating features that were not included in the last iteration and more often than not nowadays they are all collected.

The Internet of Things (IoT) refers to the ever-growing network of physical devices that are connected through the use of networks with each of them possessing their own IP addresses to make the connections possible. Fridges, heating systems and washing machines are all devices or systems that are often found in the common house hold however traditionally they do not require the internet or any form of network connectivity to function, however that’s beginning to change. Smart features within traditional household items are becoming more and more popular among consumers as the features improve, many devices are now at the point at which people can control various functions of another device from a mobile device or other central location.

IoT can provide a number of opportunities from the perspective of an organisation and although it is a fairly new development, many have already looked into small ways in which it can be used to improve productivity. In its most basic form, IoT devices can improve office activities by altering the temperature from your desk or boiling the kettle without having to leave your seat, simple activities that although they are fairly quick, distract people from doing a number of activities that relate to their job. On a larger scale a farmer could use such technology to monitor weather activity and trigger watering systems when the crops require it. Not only does this sort of method increase productivity by freeing up man power for other jobs, the precision of technology allows for tasks to become more reliably performed.

As with most technological advancements there is the concern that security among such devices may prompt unwanted outside interference, especially when communicating with critical systems. The risk of someone gaining access to an internet enabled fridge is very low however systems that provide more important services may become a target. In addition to access to the system, accessing the data that is collected by the devices is something that is of concern to people who look to take advantage of such technology. A large amount of data can be gathered simply from monitoring the activity of someone in their own home, data which is extremely valuable to organisations who provide home based services such as electricity providers.

Generally speaking, IoT devices are in their infancy in terms of development and applications, the security concerns surrounding the data that is collected by such devices means that it is not yet fully accepted by many consumers and organisations. In order to progress, the security concerns will need to be addressed however once done IoT devices have the ability to open up a world of opportunities for integration between devices. Many smart home devices such as the Google Home or Amazon Alexa have already made significant advancements in such areas. These forms of digital assistance no longer only with digital tasks such as updating a calendar or sending a message, by integrating them with other networked devices they are able to control systems that control heating or electronic systems.

From the perspective of an organisation another area in which significant advancements are being made is within the area of automation which at present is one of the most fast-moving areas of computing in today. The ever-expanding range of opportunities that come with the concept of automation is something that can be very appealing for a number of companies. The industrial revolution provided the foundations of the idea that machines would be able to perform tasks that once required humans to complete them, in modern times that is still the case. Machines are now able to make use of a number of technologies including robotics and artificial intelligence to carry out tasks more efficiently than a human. Not only this but the precision of the machinery that is used in modern development factories means that repetitive tasks such as the mass production of products is less likely to produce faulty products. Whilst the use of industrial robots and other related technologies is very promising in terms of the ability that is on offer, they are still relatively expensive to get up and running, not only this but they also require highly trained staff to develop, implement and maintain the systems. Whilst using such systems removes the human element in one way it also provides more opportunity when it comes to the introduction of higher skilled job roles.

In addition to robotics that work independently from humans there is also the concept of using them in combination with humans. Exoskeletons are an example of an idea that has received significant attention for the possibilities that it provides when attempting to enhance human abilities through the use of robotics. Originally conceptualised for military applications, exoskeletons can come in a number of shapes or sizes and can respond to a number of different input methods such as speech or movement to aide in a number of circumstances when human strength or accuracy is insufficient. The interest in such technologies has also meant that new applications for exoskeletons have become more promising, the idea of using these systems to benefit the health sector by looking into the using them to help people who suffer from mobility issues or paralysis.

Analyse the risks related to implementing a new computer system in an organisation.

In the age that we are living data is everything; organisations thrive on gathering information about consumers to better know how to provide various services and products that will be appealing to their audience. Big Data is a term used by many organisations to refer to the data sets that are capable of holding huge amounts of data, the amount is of such as size that it is too large for normal processing applications handle. This data can consist of literally anything relating to anyone or anything and can be gathered in variety of ways, information on locations, ages or addresses are just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the amount of data that could be held on one person.

In order to store such high volumes of data, specialist software is required to house the data, technologies that are used to do this are referred to as Data Warehouses. Different to databases which are most commonly used to store data from a single location, data warehouses are used to store huge amounts of data bits of which could have been gathered from different places such as online, surveys or other market research. As there is so much information being held in these data warehouses, there are specific techniques required to retrieve this information when required, this is referred to as data mining which is defined as the practice of examining large pre-existing data sets in order to generate new information. Data mining tools allow enterprises to predict future trends by analysing the existing data and using it predict certain future trends.

The use of current technologies has allowed for data to be captured in new and sometimes concerning ways. Financial transaction, social media post and search engine searches are just few of the ways in which data can be gathered on consumers, some of which are seen as intrusive by a number of people. The data gathered however is used to allow companies to formulate new products and services to meet consumer needs, forecasting new trends is one of the primary uses for big data sets. Another use is to analyse the success and consumer opinion on previous services or products that have previously been available and assess whether or not it is worthwhile to continue.

The primary features of big data include the three V’s (Volume, Velocity and Variety) as well as storage and processing. Volume simply refers to the quantity of data that is being generated and stored, due to the fact that data can come from so many places in current times means that there is more of it to store which then leads into the next V, Variety. As stated the amount of data being collected is coming from an increasing number of sources and therefore new data is being captured that varies from many of the other traditional sources that have been in use. The third and final V, Velocity refers to the speed at which data is generated. Due to the variety of forms that data can be collected through, data is being generated and collected faster than ever and is it being generated faster it is being received faster. The internet has allowed for data to be collected and sorted and stored almost within real time whereas it would have taken much longer in previous years.

Due to the huge amount of data that can flood in at such a high speed, it is not hard to see where there may be issues when it comes to storing such large quantities of data. As the amount of data being stored is too much for conventional applications such Microsoft Excel or Access, there are specialist technologies that are developed specifically for holding and sorting through big data sets. An example of such technology is Apache Spark, a program that features built-in modules for streaming, machine learning, graph processing and SQL support all of which make it one of the more prominent tools for big data processing. With support for the majority of languages used for big data including Python, Scala and R it has been referred to as the fastest and general engine for big data processing.

Apache Spark also features technologies that allow for it to be deployed either in an onsite data centre or on the cloud as an alternative. Use of the cloud gives organisation the ability to use the software without the need to acquire and set up the necessary hardware required, which can not only be expensive it can also be time consuming to set up. As with most cloud-based software there are drawbacks such as relying on a solid internet connection and security risk however in many cases the benefits far outweigh the negatives. Not only does it allow for costs and time restraints to be cut in half, it also allows for better access to data from different locations and also quicker access to new features and functionalities that may come in the form of updates. Once it is up and running software application such as Apache Spark can be used to perform mathematical equations that will take all of data that has been gathered and work to sort through it as a means to understand trends. Once connections and links have been made between different groups of data, it can be used as a way to evaluate and predict the probability.

Similar to the actual data itself, data warehouses consist of a number of key features themselves to ensure that that data sets can be used as opposed to being large amounts of useless information. The first feature we will look at is subject orientation which seeks to apply some form of logic to the data that is gathered within data sets. When it is initially collected, more often than not the data will be retrieved in a manner that will likely have no discernible pattern. Subject orientation allows for the data to be stored and ordered by a defined topic or theme so that when the time comes organisations will be able to analyse the information much easier.

Another feature that is put in place to both ease the task of analysing data and improve performance is data denormalization which is the process of grouping together data or adding redundant data to boost performance if a query is run. The grouping of data within a table can assist in speeding up analysis and improving performance, this is as when a search is performed it will be carried out over specific or defined parts of the data set as opposed to searching through all of the data. The grouping of data can be done in a number of ways and can link various pieces of data, for example people who purchased the same product or service could be grouped together so that a search could be run on data pertaining to these specific people.

The next feature of data warehouses is non-volatility which is put in place so that organisations can be sure that all of their data will not be lost should something along the lines of a power outage take place. Non-volatile storage refers to a storage medium that prevent the loss of data in the event that the flow of power in switched off or interrupted, it is the opposite of volatile storage which loses all data when switched off, RAM being a prime example. Ensuring that there is a storage medium that is not volatile helps to ease the worries of organisations and allow them to be confident that the data is stored correctly and safely.

On the subject of data storage, historical data is something that is increasingly being retained by organisations so that it is readily available should it be needed at any point in the future. By law organisations are required to retain some data for certain periods of time however in order to do so it would require a large amount of space to keep it. We are now at a point at which technical advancements has allowed for historical data to be kept without taking up as much room as it once did. Analysis of historical data can also be useful to organisations to understand previous trends and look into the results of historic acts that resulted in success.

The use of queries is very common way for organisations to sort and analyse the data that they have collected. There are two kinds of query that can be run, a planned query which involves applying a series of given steps to the data for the purpose of locating the best data for a task. The second type is an ad-hoc query which is a form of query that will be generated as and when the need presents itself. Ad hoc queries will use a set of parameters that are given by the user and then return the best result based on the given task. Both forms of query are common for organisations to use when analysing data with the difference between the two being primarily down to the nature that one is planned and the other being used when required.

The last primary feature of a data warehouse is the ability to control data load. When approaching the analysis of a data set, organisations need to be careful about what data is returned what requesting it from a data set. Due to the sheer amount of data that can be held within a single data set it is not unlikely for information that is similar or relates to the same person, for this reason it is important for the data that is returned is related to the query that was made. Controlling the data that is retrieved is one of the easiest ways to reduce processing power and allow for performance improvements.

In order to make any of these features be of any use, data analysts are required to look through these data sets in order to make sense of it. As previously mentioned this is referred to as data mining, a process that can assist organisations so successfully use captured and processed data as a means to predict future trends among consumers. There are a number of different techniques that can be used as a method to comb through all of this data, usually consisting of complex mathematical techniques such as a cluster analysis. A cluster analysis involves the process of dividing data in to groups or cluster based on information that relates them, this can be anything from a shared interest in a product to a person’s date of birth. Alternatively, anomaly detection works to identify data that falls outside of the ordinary type of data found in the data set. This type of data mining is commonly found within areas such as fraud detection so that transactions that fall outside of the normal ranges of a person spending can be flagged and investigated. Data visualisation is a technique that is used to display information gathered in a form that is readable and digestible for data analysts, most commonly in the form of graph or charts that make it easier to spot trends or patterns in the data.

For the most part data mining is used as a method for retailers and organisations offering services to identify consumer preferences and use this information make informed decisions regarding various factors in their business model. Despite this data mining also has a number of different applications that have become just as useful in a range of different industries, as previously mentioned the banking industry has a strong use for big data in discovering trends within transactions or deciding whether or not to grant money to customers based on their previous data. Various scientific researchers will also make use of large data sets to analyse various sets of results.

Negative aspects of internet use

Since the inception of the internet it has quickly grown in the world-wide hub of information and content that we know today, however it would be naïve to believe that the internet did not have its negative aspects. Along with all the good that has been done through the use of the internet in order to get the full picture we must look at some of the bad things that it is used for.

A lot of the danger and negative effect of the internet come from the nature that access is not restricted, given they have suitable equipment and access to a suitable network pretty much any one able to access the internet. The introduction of web 2.0 has also meant that people are now able to interact with each other over the internet which has led to a number of un wanted results. Cyberbullying and trolling are two forms of harassment that take advantage of the anonymity that comes with the internet, through the use of social media and other social platforms people are able to post and publish content that can be very harmful to others. Whilst definition of cyberbully and trolling can differ it often comes down to a matter of opinion as to which is being applied in certain cases, the general infancy of the internet as well as the presence of social media has meant that new rules and regulations are being created ongoingly to combat such behaviour online.

One form of cyberbullying that has had an upsurge in recent time is the use of revenge porn which is the act of revealing or sexually explicit images or videos of a person posted on the Internet, typically by a former sexual partner, without the consent of the subject and in order to cause them distress or embarrassment. It is because of such revenge practices that laws are beginning to be put into place to combat such acts however it can be difficult when the internet is not controlled by one single organisation or country. Another issue that the internet has faced for many years is the availability and trading of illegal material over both private and public networks. From copywritten content to the sale of weapons and drugs the internet has become the prime place to find items and services that for lack of a better word are illegal, access to such content is often done through tools that grant access to the dark web. The dark web is the World Wide Web content that exists on darknets, overlay networks that use the Internet but need specific software, configurations, or authorization to access. The use of such technologies if often used by criminals in order to communicate under the radar without arousing suspicion, the dark web is a key tool for terrorist  groups to not only communicate with one another but also to recruit new people to support their cause.

The impact that implementing a new computer system can have on an organisation.

As consumers we would often prefer it for organisations to implement emerging technologies as they become available allowing us to have access to the most up to date features and functions on our various devices and there is little thought on what risk the company could ensue as a result. When implementing a new computer system one of the most important factors to consider and often the one that organisations will evaluate first is how secure the system in question is. The level of security a system has can be the defining factor on whether an organisation decides to implement a new system or not. As society becomes more reliant on computer systems on a daily basis cybercrime has become a much more relevant threat that organisations should be aware of.

The security risks surrounding the implementation of a new computer system can vary depending on what system is being put into place and for which organisation, for this article we will consider 2 different organisations with one being a bank and the other being a supermarket. On first glance these organisations appear to be very different and are likely to use a number of different computer systems, however the risks that they face can be very similar. Both organisations are capable of possessing personal and sensitive customer data such as names, address and financial information to name a few. Data such as this will often be the priority of the organisation and so it is unlikely that a computer system that will comprise the security of this information would be implemented intentionally. We are currently living in a time when cybercrime is becoming more of an issue as society continues to migrate so much of our information and personal data onto computer systems both personally and professionally. In 2017 one of the world’s largest credit bureau Equifax was penetrated by cybercriminals who managed to steal the personal data of over 140 million people; this was considered one of the worst data breaches of all time largely based on the amount of sensitive data that was exposed. This is not to say that organisations should shy away from the implantation of new systems, quite the opposite, it is just an example of the scale security breaches can escalate to. New systems are often targeted by cybercriminals as they are more likely to have backdoors and vulnerabilities that have not yet been discovered or patched, this risk is only amplified if the organisation that uses the system holds sensitive data like a financial institution would.

Now that some of the security risks that could be associated with the implementation of a new systems has been established, it is also important to understand and evaluate the effects that the company could endure as whole; especially on the people who work within the company. In order to do so it important to first establish some of the key positions that can be held within numerous organisations. People within organisations will often fall into one of three categories; staff, management or owner and whilst there are a number of subcategories that job roles can fall under, for the purpose of the blog we will look at them in the simplest form. Consumers will often not put any though into how much new systems can affect    certain job roles, however there are knock on effects that can be both negative and positive to people in different positions. Looking at staff members first; this category is the broadest and will often include the majority of people working for the organisation. In the example of a supermarket, staff will include the majority of people who work in any of their stores, warehouses or offices and will include staff management departments as well. These job roles that are closer to the lower end of the organisations chain of command are more likely to see the immediate difference within an organisation that recently implemented a significant new system. As these employees will often have a closer relationship with customers, often interacting with them directly, many issues surrounding the implementation of a new system will often start with these staff members and work its way up the chain of command should it be relevant.

An example of a fairly new system that has been introduced and had a large effect on both individual organisations and the shopping industry itself is the self-checkout service. The option of self-checkout in a number of retail and grocery stores has been available for a while now and shows no signs of slowing down, in 2016 there were an estimated 240,000 terminals worldwide a number which is predicted to increase to 468,000 between 2016 and 2021. From the perspective of people working in stores, there is no monetary gain for the implementation of these services however it will more than likely alter their actual job role. Take the supermarket Tesco for example, from personal experience I know that at their 24-hour store in Bristol there are no manned tills after 1am, instead staff are assigned alternate jobs such as stocking shelves. The self-checkout service however remains open for late night shoppers and there is one member of staff to oversee and assist customers. In previous years cashiers were an essential part of practically any physical store and although it was classed as a low skilled job in many cases it was still a job that was needed to be filled.

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Unit 9: Imact of Computing . (2018).