Characteristics of a digital firm

Communication

Advances in information technology have made instant communication possible. This has been made possible mainly due to the development of telecommunication system. Some of the widely used devices in modern telecommunication devices are landphone, mobile phone, radio, television, walkie talkie etc. 

These devices make the communication process possible through different types of telecommunication networks. Direct communication is being established anywhere in the world through phone, fax, internet, email, audio-video chatting, SMS, MMS and video conferencing. 

For example, many delegates from different countries of the world can communicate directly with each other at the same time through group conferencing. Through Skype or other video chatting systems, people who are far away can talk and view pictures directly with each other.

They are a prime example of a Vishwagram or Global Village. A person in Ajpara gaon is also getting various types of news instantly through radio broadcast locally and radio service programs of international news organizations. Another means of communication is transportation. 

The massive impact of information technology can be seen in this system as well. Nowadays, modern technologies like Wi-Fi, Wireless, Bluetooth, GPRS are added to control traffic management. In addition, the installation of Wi-Fi for Internet use in vehicles, the inclusion of GPS in driving has brought a revolutionary change in the modern transportation system.

Fully digital firm examples

Satellite

A satellite is a special type of wireless receiver/transmitter placed in a fixed orbit outside the atmosphere to orbit the Earth. Hundreds of satellites (artificial satellites) are in operational use today. 

Satellites are used for various communication purposes such as weather forecasting, television broadcasting, amateur radio communication, Internet communication, and Global Positioning System (GPS). Satellites used for communication are called communication satellites. 

Satellite communication can be used in various covert missions and national security-related areas. Satellites are used for telecommunication, worldwide digital information transmission (text, sound, still, moving images), communication from spaceships outside the Earth to the surface, maintaining communication with various types of vehicles, etc.

Internet

The Internet is a network system consisting of numerous networks spanning the globe. The Internet is also commonly called a network of networks or Internetwork. The Internet is an integrated system of many networks scattered around the world.

The components of the Internet are its users, information, telecommunication systems, computers, etc. It was built to build internal communications systems for the US Department of Defence.

Facilities available through the Internet

Some of the important facilities available through the Internet are-

1. The Internet is a vast repository of information. By connecting to the Internet and searching the desired information by writing the name of the world

Data from multiple servers is displayed.

2. Information can be exchanged by e-mail to any part of the world instantly through the Internet. Large documents or files can be sent as attachments to e-mails.

3. Fax facility is available through the internet.

4. With VOIP you can talk anywhere in the world at a much lower cost than conventional phones.

5. With the launch of Internet TV and Internet Radio, one can enjoy various types of television and radio channels on the computer at home

6. Different types of software, freeware, entertainment materials can be downloaded and collected from the internet.

7. Due to the publication of internet versions of newspapers and magazines, one can now read newspapers from different countries of the world at home.

8. With the help of e-commerce products can be purchased from home

9. You can take the education of the famous educational institutions of the world sitting at home.

10. Instantly share text and video with anyone, anywhere in the world through instant messengers like Yahoo Messenger, Google Talk, Skype etc.

11. Medical services can be taken online

12. You can get an idea about that place by looking at the satellite map of any place in the world through Google Maps. The pictures of those places can be zoomed in and seen from very close.

E-mail

E-mail is a system of exchanging information from one computer to another computer using a computer network. Computer files can also be sent along with text messages by e-mail. E-mail can be sent within a limited area using a local area network and anywhere in the world over the Internet

Advantages of e-mail

    1. Easy to use. Can be easily sent and received and stored on computer.

    2. The fastest Can be sent to any part of the world instantly.

    3. E-mail language is simple

    4. A group of people can be contacted quickly.

    5. Other programs or files (text, audio, video) can be sent by attaching them to e-mail.

    6. The same mail can be sent to many by CC.

    7. Environmentally friendly as no paper is used.

    8. Any product marketing can be easily done through e-mail at a very low cost.

    9. A reply can be sent automatically as opposed to normal incoming mail.

   10. e-mail address

Teleconferencing

Teleconferencing is the method of participating in a meeting from different places of the country and abroad with the help of computer audio-modem-video equipment using telephone connection. 

In this method, a group of people from different places can meet in a meeting to report the minutes, present opinions and reports and take decisions without coming to the same place. A small group of a few or a large group of many people can meet in this meeting. In 1975, Murray Turf invented this method.

Video conferencing

Video conferencing is a series of interactive telecommunications technologies that allow two or more locations to communicate together through uninterrupted two-way audio and video transmission. This is also called 'visual collaboration' by some and is a form of groupware. The following materials are required for video conferencing –

    1. Multimedia computer

    2. Webcam

    3. Video capture card

    4. Modem

    5. Microphone

    6. Telephone connection

    7. Internet connection

    8. Required software

Today, video conferencing is widely used in education and health sectors apart from business. In this method, the patient can speak directly with an experienced doctor located far away, which is known as telemedicine.

Skype: A free VoIP [Voice over Internet Protocol] software. With this messenger software, users can talk among themselves with audio-video chatting facilities as well as free computer-to-computer and computer-to-conventional telephone worldwide at low cost. Messenger can be downloaded for free from www.skype.com. This software is widely used for video conferencing. The software is developed by Microsoft's Skype division. The word Skype comes from sky and peer.