Information and communication technology

Annotations:

• An integrated services Digital Network (ISDN) and broadband have enabled high-speed data and communications transfer, which can be using in an video conferencing system.

1. Dedicated systems have all the required components packaged into a single console, including a high quality controlled video camera
   1. Desktop systems are add-ons to normal personal computers such as webcams and microphones, transforming them into video conferencing dveices
2. Advantages of video conferencing Meetings can take place without leaving the office. Travel costs and the time taken to travel can be reduced significantly. Meetings can be called instantly worldwide with little notice. Delegates can still attend meetings even if they are physically unable to.
3. Disadvantages of video conferencing May not be as productive as a discussion around a table. Confidential documents may need to be viewed and signed in person. There will always be times when you need to be able to meet face to face.

1. WHAT IS MARKET RESEARCH? This is where a company/design team takes an initial design concept for a product and tests it out on potential customers or the general public. This is done through questionnaires, interviews and a range of other activities.
2. WHAT ARE THE AIMS OF MARKET RESEARCH? Market research has several aims: The most important is to determine if the design concept has any chance of economic success. Potential customers will soon express their opinion and say if they would be interested in buying the product.
3. Market research often leads to suggestions regarding improving the product so that it is more likely to be successful. This may be as simply as an alteration to the colour scheme or a dramatic change in the style of the product or the functions it performs.
   1. The price the customer is prepared to pay for the product is often determined during market research. This sets an upper limit of cost to the design and production teams. Market research may suggest how many individual ‘units’ are likely to sell. If production goes ahead, this will help determine the number of products manufactured during the first run on the production line.

1. A Flexible Manufacturing System is one that can be changed or adapted rapidly to manufacture different products or components at different volumes of production. Flexible manufacturing systems are usually seen at their most efficient when manufacturing components rather than finished products.
2. When machines are used to manufacture a variety of products/components this is called ‘machine flexibility’. A good example is a company that specialises in manufacturing injection moulded components. The component design may change very quickly but as long as the mould is updated / modified the injection moulding machine can still operate. Computers monitor the supply of materials, monitor the operating temperatures and quality control. Machines of this nature are adaptable and are ideal for FMS
3. The products below are CD /DVD storage units. The injection moulding machine is an example of machine flexibility because the mould can be changed quickly and different designs can be manufactured.