ICT at home

1
ICT at home
2
Introduction

• Set-top box merges computer with Internet
• MP3 player
• TV programmes (view, record)
• E-mail and fax
• Interactive services (shopping, banking, voting)
• Games
• Etc

3
Teleworking

• Teleworking involves working away from the office
  using a computer and telecommunications equipment
  to communicate with the employer
• Home-based
• Telecentres
• Satellite links

4
Benefits of teleworking

• It may be easier to concentrate on work in a
  quiet environment at home than in a noisy office
• Workers save on commuting time and costs, with
  the associated environmental benefits of keeping
  cars off the roads
• Workers enjoy greater flexibility, and can
  arrange their working hours around other
  commitments such as picking children up from
  school
• Employers save on the costs of office space and
  overheads such as heat and light
• People in different locations can work in a team
• People can be recruited from a much wider
  geographical area
• People who are not able to take employment in
  standard office hours can be recruited.

5
The problems of teleworking

• Management may fear difficulties in controlling a
  workforce that is not in the office
• There is a problem in ensuring that remote staff
  understand corporate goals and retain a sense of
  loyalty to the organisation
• Employees may feel isolated and miss the social
  environment of an office full of colleagues
• Employees may find it difficult to work in teams,
  or to get help when they need it
• Some teleworkers may find it difficult to
  separate home from work, and find work
  encroaching on their leisure or family time.
  Conversely, it may be difficult to concentrate on
  work with children making demands on a parents
  time.