#6 ICT Applications

advantages of using models

1. less expensive

2. safe

3. allows you to try out different scenarios

4. faster

disadvantages of using models

1. not entirely reliable

2. can be costly

3. human reluctance

personal finance

uses algorithms to simulate financial scenarios (investment, retirement) which helps them to make decisions that meet their financial goals

bridge & building design

analyzes structural behavior and load capacity to improve designs and ensure safety

flood water management

simulates water flow and predicts flood risks to design mitigation measures and emergency responses

traffic management

analyzes traffic flow and congestion to improve road networks and signal timing

weather forecasting

simulates atmospheric and oceanic conditions to predict weather patterns and issue hazards warnings for public safety

advantages of using computer modelling instead of humans

1. more precise and accurate

2. analyzes large amounts of data faster

3. reused and updated easily

disadvantages of using computer modelling instead of humans

1. may look over small details

2. based on assumptions

3. may struggle to adapt to sudden changes

computer-controlled school management system

comprehensive software application that automates administrative tasks (attendance tracking, grading, scheduling, student info management), improving educational institutions' efficiency, accuracy, and organization

computer-controlled school management system advantages

1. easier to address absenteeism

2. parents are updated

3. reduced workload for teachers

computer-controlled school management system disadvantages

1. requires training to operate it

2. initial cost is high

3. safety needs to be good, due to personal information

learner registration and attendance

1. id cards with magnetic tapes

2. biometrics

advantages of biometrics

1. prevents attendance forgery

2. id cards can be easy to lose/steal/clone

disadvantages of biometrics

1. time-consuming to collect fingerprints

2. expensive to read fingerprints

3. can’t be read if finger is injured

4. invasion of privacy

learner’s performance

can be recorded with spreadsheets

online booking systems

1. travel industry

2. concerts

3. cinemas

4. sports events

advantages of online booking systems

1. convenient, cheaper, instant

2. can compare prices

3. promotions/personalized offers

4. automated reminders

disadvantages of online booking systems

1. technical/security issues

2. extra charges (transaction, booking fees)

3. no customer service

4. needs a stable internet connection

5. can lead to unemployment

automated teller machine (ATM)

a machine where customers can get cash/carry out banking activities using their credit/debit card

atm sequence

Insert & Connect → Verify → Select → Check Funds → Approve → Finish

advantages of atm

1. can withdraw/access anytime/anywhere

2. don’t need to go to bank as it offers many banking services

3. quicker compared to bank

disadvantages of atm

1. placed in area where theft could occur

2. shoulder surfing

3. some banks charge customers for using ATMs

4. cash withdrawal limits

electronic funds transfer (EFT)

Initiation → Authorization → Processing → Transfer of Funds → Confirmation

advantages of eft

1. secure/quick payment method

2. cheaper than cheques

3. the customer can report wrong EFT payment under 60 days

disadvantages of eft

1. bank transaction can’t be reversed without dispute investigation

2. customer must have the money needed

3. might not know recipient’s identity

advantages of credit card

1. customer protection if ordered goods don’t arrive

2. accepted everywhere

3. interest-free loan, if money is paid back within time period

4. can make purchases online

disadvantages of credit card

1. can be charged high interest rates

2. annual fees

3. easy to end up with credit damage

4. security risks in online transactions

advantages of debit card

1. no interest, money comes from the user’s account

2. safer than carrying cash

3. can make online purchases

disadvantages of debit card

1. less customer protection if goods don’t arrive

2. no credit allowed, funds are needed at the time of purchase

3. security risks in online transactions

cheque

paper documents used to pay people or businesses

• payer writes the details, recipient gives it to bank, bank checks the funds, and transfers the cash

advantages of cheques

1. safer/easier to carry than cash

2. can hold the payment until later

3. easy to track if lost

disadvantages of cheques

1. sellers can legally refuse to take them

2. slow

3. easier for fraudsters

4. expensive

advantages of internet banking

1. available anytime, anywhere

2. easy to manage

3. higher interest rates

4. Easy to compare and find better accounts.

disadvantages of online banking

1. transaction security

2. requires stable internet connection

3. risk of fraud

4. physical cash can’t be deposited/withdrawn

information systems in medicine

1. patient records

2. pharmacy records

patient records

1. helps doctors make correct diagnoses

2. tracks patient history/progress

3. evidence for legal cases

4. supports research/healthcare planning

pharmacy records

1. ensures correct dispensing of medication

2. tracks inventory levels

3. supports legal compliance

4. monitors patient medication history

3D printing in medicine

1. prosthetics

2. tissue engineering

3. artificial blood vessels

4. customized medicines

expert systems

ai based computer program that mimics a human’s decision-making capabilities to provide solutions in:

1. diagnostics

2. financial calculations

3. strategy games

4. identifying plant/animal/chemical compound

expert system components

1. user interface

2. explanation system

3. inference engine

4. knowledge base

5. rules base

pos (point of sale) terminal

computerized system used at checkout counters to handle purchases and handle stock

pos terminal features

1. track/update stock file instantly

2. reorder stock when low

3. enhance supply chain management

eftpos (electronic funds transfer at point of sale)

devices for processing electronic payment using chip/PIN/contactless cards or NFCs

NFC (near field communication)

a short-range wireless technology that allows devices to exchange data when they are very close together

internet shopping advantages (customer)

1. access anytime, anywhere

2. can compare between options

3. avoid queues

internet shopping disadvantages (customer)

1. security concerns

2. can’t see products before purchasing

3. long delivery time

4. additional costs

5. no face-to-face interaction

internet shopping advantages (business)

1. adjust prices/services based on customer data

2. update stock and prices quicker

3. cheaper to advertise offers

4. international customer base

5. increased profits (lower staff)

internet shopping disadvantages (business)

1. increased competition

2. fraud concerns

3. technical issues/downtime

4. delivery/return costs

5. fake negative reviews affect reputation

anpr (automatic plate recognition) system

1. sensor triggers camera to photograph front plate

2. algorithm locates and crops the number plate

3. enhances image brightness and contrast

4. separates individual characters on the plate

5. converts characters into digital text string

6. saves text string in a database

7. raises barrier and issues timed entry ticket

8. ticket machine calculates fee and registers payment

rfid (radio frequency identification) uses

1. stock (track inventory)

2. passports

3. vehicles

4. payments

rfid advantages

1. scans without direct visual contact

2. processes multiple tags all at once

3. hard to forge and dependable

4. lowers costs (automated tracking)

rfid disadvantages

1. signal collisions may occur

2. data transmissions can be intercepted

3. high initial setup

nfc (near field communication)

enables short-range wireless communication between devices, allowing payment using a smartphone

nfc advantages

1. convenient/secure payment

2. contactless transactions

nfc disadvantages

1. limited range

2. compatibility issues with some devices

biometric recognition

usually refers to automated technologies for authenticating and verifying human body characteristics such as face, iris, retina, finger, thumb, hand and voice.

biometric recognition advantages

1. very high accuracy

2. easy to use

3. fast verification

4. non-intrusive

5. relatively cheap

biometric recognition disadvantages

1. mistakes if physical changes occur

2. expensive to install/set up

3. data storage uses lots of memory

4. voice could be used illegally

satellite systems

1. collect and transmit data

2. works worldwide

3. provides location & mapping data

4. needs phones, GPS devices, or computers (receivers)

5. highly precise positioning

gps (global positioning system)

1. finds exact transport location

2. satellites send signals

3. computers process signals

4. atomic clocks ensure accuracy

5. uses 3+ satellites

satellite navigation (satnav)

• determines car’s exact location

• computers can be used to show direction to destination

advantages of gps

1. better focus while driving

2. warns about speed changes

3. shows ETA

4. finds fastest routes

5. locates service stations

disadvantages of gps

1. outdated maps = wrong directions

2. road closures cause problems

3. signal loss affects navigation

4. wrong inputs = wrong directions

geographic information system (gis)

• captures, manages, analyses, and displays geographic data

• finds distances and nearby places

• helps protect wildlife

• used in geography, science, and engineering

gis advantages

1. combines different types of data

2. handles large amounts of data

3. integrates data from many sources

gis disadvantages

1. difficult to learn

2. expensive software

3. requires lots of data

4. can be slow and complex

media communication systems

• uses satellites for communication

• sends media from remote locations

media communication systems advantages

1. good global coverage

2. fast, high bandwidth, and secure

3. easy to expand and move

4. useful for broadcasting and remote communication

media communication systems disadvantages

1. signal delays can occur

2. bad weather can affect signals

3. sunspots can affect performance

4. satellites need regular monitoring