There are many methods of communications available to businesses today, I am going to look at different types of technology and how they allow CDASU (Cyprus Defence Animal Support Unit) Veterinary Practice to communicate between staff and patients/customers. Section-1 Fax machine 1. 1 Technology A fax machine is a highly specialised package consisting of a scanner, a modem, and a computer printer. Fax is a telecommunications technology that allows companies to send copies of documents using affordable devices over the telephone network.

The scanner converts the content printed on a physical document into a digital image, the modem then sends the image data over a phone line to another device, and the printer at the far end produces a copy of the transmitted document. The advantages of using fax machines are that they are much safer, a fax machine will not allow sensitive material to be sent over the Internet without it being encrypted this is done with the help of mandates. The disadvantages of using fax machines are that, the technology is facing Competition from more web based systems.

1. 2 Method of communication The Fax machine in the veterinary practice is used for receiving the results of the blood test. Although the fax has some risk of safety issues it is much quicker and safer than using the post and the blood test results could play a major role in getting a pet passport or even in finding out an illness in an animal. The fax machine is could also be used to communicate with suppliers and could be used to contact and send faxes to staff. Section-2 PDA 2. 1 Technology

A Personal Digital Assistant is an electronic device, a handheld computer, a mobile phone, a music player, it has the Internet, used to send and receive emails, word processing, it can be used as an address book, it can be used to create and edit spreadsheets, playing games, a GPS, many of the PDA’s use touch screen technology to be operated for ease. The advantages of PDA’s are that they are very small and can easily slip into your pocket or purse it easy to carry around and less space consuming, meaning it can be taken anywhere and you can be contacted at any time via email or phone call.

PDA’s also look quite attractive in fashion senses. The disadvantages to PDA’s are that they are becoming less popular as there are more smart phones becoming available; the smart phone is currently outselling PDA’s by thousands. The prices of Laptops are also lowering, although there is a considerable difference in size the lap top is much easier to use with the larger screen and key board and is more suitable for playing games on. The size although it is an advantage it could also be a disadvantage in that it is so small it could be easily lost or stolen without your knowledge.

2. 2 Method of communication PDA’s use various methods of communications these could play a very major role within a veterinary practice as the vets could then go out on visits and still receive emails, the vet could find out directions using their PDA if they were to get lost or not know the way. The PDA contains a diary so a vet could then enter all of their appointments for the day and could open that when they need to. Section-3 Internet and intranets 3. 1 Technology

The Internet is a world wide network of computers that allows the sharing or networking of information. The advantages of using the internet is that it can be used for a variety of different things such as’ e-mailing, accessing information, online shopping, online chatting, downloading software. The disadvantages of the internet are that there are certain dangers and cons on the Internet such as, spam e-mails, or the theft of personal information. 3. 2 Methods of communication The most common method of communication on the internet is email.

E-mails are a quick and easy way to contact someone, using e-mail saves time in posting, and you can send an e-mail and receive an answer to your e-mail within hours or even minutes. E-mail is much safer than posting information when an email is sent or received that email will remain in your inbox until opened and read and then can be deleted after so many days of being left depending on how your account is set up, you can also create folders on your email account to save emails in. Section-4 Presentations

Presentations are an easy way to get information across to member of staff but there are three pieces of technology that work together to be able to present the slide show. 4. 1 Projector 4. 1a Technology A projector is a piece of equipment used to project images from a computer on to a large blank surface; a projector is normally used to view presentations. The advantage of using a projector is the fact that you can show presentations to masses of people at ease whereas without a projector everyone would have to crowd around the computer screen or printouts would have to be made.

The disadvantages of using a projector are the room has to be suitable for the projector to be fitted and used. 4. 1b Method of communication The projector could be used to link up to the laptop and to the interactive whiteboard to use to show presentations in staff meetings or for video conferencing purposes, or to show information 4. 2 Interactive whiteboard 4. 2a Technology

An interactive whiteboard is a piece of technology that is a large interactive display that links up to a computer and a projector, the whiteboard connects with the computers desktop and using a pen or other device can control the computer. The advantage of an interactive white board is that the whiteboard provides access to a wide variety of ICT and Internet teaching facilities that all can use. The disadvantage of whiteboards are that the board has a fixed-height, and the boards are often mounted too high for users to reach the top, or too low to be readily visible by all users.

4. 2b Method of communication The interactive whiteboard is a device that is linked up to both the computer and the projector, the projector shows the computers desktop on the interactive whiteboard and using a pen or another device the user can control the computer using the pen on the whiteboard. The whiteboard could be used for presentations and for conferences with staff it could also be used to show a spreadsheet of all the appointments during the day so it is on show to all members of staff so they know what appointments they have and who is where, when.

3 Laptop 4. 3a Technology A laptop is a portable computer battery or mains powered, laptops provide great flexibility, and are easily carried around with you. The advantages of Laptops are that they are much easier to use they can be carried around with you and to hook up to the network you can just put in a wireless card and that’s it done. The disadvantages of a laptop are that if you are running the laptop off a battery the battery could run out at any time and you then need to plug it in to charge and the laptop then becomes non mobile. 4. 3b Method of communication

Laptops are much easier to use they can be carried around with you and to hook up to the network you can just put in a wireless card and that’s it done. The veterinary staff could each have a personal portable computer that they could take on courses with them or to call outs or even home to finish work, the laptops could be handy for searching up symptoms on a callout or to receive important e-mails containing information. The laptops could also be used to setup presentations and could be linked to the projector and the interactive whiteboard. Section-5 Mobile phones