Information age is also known as computer age or digital age. Information age is the idea information will be transferred freely and to have instant access to knowledge that would have been difficult back in the days. Information age changed was brought through by industrial revolution or industrialization. Fast evolution of technology in daily life, as well as work lifestyle and educational lifestyle is shaping the modern society today. Information is very powerful tool.
Differences between 1980’s offices to today’s offices
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| 1980 |
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| Today |
We can see the change that has happened in an office. Throughout the years, offices as well as how we gather information changed. In 1980’s offices, it’s very hard to keep files or documents, offices also use to just have typewriters and not computers. Telephones or phones we’re not developed as much by then therefore offices who does have telephones are very lucky, but they’ll usually be only few telephones available and not everyone would have them in each of their tables. There is also no printer and fax machines etc, therefore it is very time consuming and very busy at all times. But in today’s offices, you can find printers, fax machines, and newly developed computer and other sort of technologies. Even though these technologies are very expensive, they are willing to pay as this will enable their employees to work more efficiently and quicker. The main difference or the big area that has changed is that communication in today’s office is so much easier than before. Today, everyone has their own mobile phones and can contact one another any time, there is also many social networks or other sites that enables them to communicate with each other whilst before communication is very difficult as the main way of communication then was sending letters as few people only owns telephones. This shows how life in the information age is very beneficial.
Some advantages of working in the 1980’s offices
- More people working together
- Maybe the workers are closer, more bonding time together
Some disadvantages of working in the 1980’s offices
- Time consuming and very busy- too much paper work, without modern technologies all information must be done manually.
- Communication with co-workers is quite difficult
Some advantages of working in modern offices
- Easy to contact co-workers- if problems occurs, co-workers or bosses are just a phone call away
- New technologies makes the job easier
- Transport base use root planning software- get to the office faster and avoid traffic etc
- More freedom for the workers
Some disadvantages of working in modern offices
- Some office sacks their workers if their phones are turn off
- expected to work at all times even in trains or at home
Impact on jobs
Jobs today has been massively affect positively and negatively by how we collect information or how technologies have developed. They way people and how they work has changed. Many managers that are looking for employees are looking for the one who has a good knowledge of how to use computers, so many jobs require computers now this means that people who have low level of computing skill will be at disadvantage. Many jobs today now use technologies to make their work even faster and more efficient. The information age had a massive impact in the workforce. Workers today are gradually being replaced by computers that can do the job faster and more effectively; this is obviously big problem for works in industrial societies. Sooner or later, jobs that are traditionally associated with middle class are beginning to disappear.
Shop assistants now uses computerize till system, they use the system called EPOS and sometimes in some shops you can now pay without using cash, you can use your cards instead. This system is call electronic fund transfer, where you just swipe your card and the shop assistant will then collect the money from there. They can also look up if an item is in stock or not with even checking physically, they can check
Example
Before modern technologies-John is a sale rep. He’s been selling tools at garden centres for the last 20 years. He is usually on the road every time, he travels thousands miles a week and always carry large diary, address book of his clients, calculator, catalogue and coins for telephones. Sometimes he’s delayed in his meetings due to traffic. Every Friday, he’s on the office checking if his sales are handled properly.
Today/modern- How to make John’s job easier or quicker for him?
- Instead of driving around every time, maybe some other time he could get trains which is faster and traffic doesn't occur at all. Therefore there is no chance of him being late.
- He could also just carry a small laptop or some sort. This laptop should contain client’s details, address, and catalogues for the items he’s selling.
- Maybe the company should put up a website to get people to buy their items; this could save money and time.
It seems to me that the fast development of technologies is massively affecting our society and having a big impact on jobs availability. Everything today seems to be so much quicker than before, it seems like there is always an alternate or another way of doing something. I’m not saying this is a bad thing; all I’m saying is that we should be careful as sometimes technologies can mislead and sometimes technologies do create more problems than solving them. Life in the information age has changed a lot and I think it will be very interesting to see what else would change and how this could affect our lives and the way we live.
