Business Communication and Information Technology

Cell phones are one way technology has revolutionized business communication.

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Technology has altered modern life in many ways, especially in the workplace. The invention of computers, the miniaturization of electronics and the development of wireless communication have all altered the business world. Business communication, in particular, has seen some of the greatest advancements due to technological developments.

Cellular Phone

One of the biggest advancements in communication has been the development of the cellular phone. In the past, your only chance of reaching employees was when they were at their desks, prompting endless games of “phone tag” as people tried to connect during busy workdays. Now, workers are reachable no matter where they are, and even during non-work hours. The development of smartphones has also greatly expanded the types of business activities you can transact when out of the office, increasing productivity and extending the workday.

Teleconferencing

High-speed data connections allow for the use of teleconferencing, virtual meetings held over audio and video links. Teleconferencing can save substantial amounts of money otherwise spent on travel by connecting important employees in far-flung branches together to share ideas and information. The use of virtual whiteboards, communal data-sharing platforms where remote users can interact as if around the same table, further increase the possibilities of the virtual workplace.

Related Reading: Effects of Technology on Business Communications

Image Scanning

Document and image scanners allow workers to convert paperwork, plans, diagrams and photos into electronic files quickly for storage and transmission. Instead of relying on hand delivery of important documents across town or across the country, employees can scan and send these files in a matter of seconds across the Internet. An architectural firm could, for instance, scan updates to a plan, transmit it to the client, receive changes and make alterations all before a messenger would have been able to make the first run across town.

RFID

The development of radio frequency identification has substantially changed the field of business logistics and, paired with other business communication advancements, has the potential to increase a company’s efficiency significantly. RFID tags are small chips that respond to radio waves with encoded information, allowing companies to tag and track items and materials. When an employee activates a scanning device, all RFID tags within range will respond with their coded information, allowing for quick updates of warehouse inventories and real-time tracking of shipments as they pass through the supply chain. Being able to access inventory on demand allows companies to take advantage of “just-in-time” shipping, providing products and material only when needed to reduce warehousing requirements and reduce the amount of excess stock stored at retail or office facilities.