How Does Automation Make Money - Essay Example

Running head: Technology makes money Technology makes money Introduction The term ‘technology’ would be most suitable to be described as knowledge and skill which strengthens with time and effort. It provides enough functionality to the evolving businesses so that they are able to utilize them in achieving their desired function. The first section of this paper deals with such an evolving technology called MOST (Media Oriented Systems Transport) which is a high speed multimedia network to access multimedia devices on demand as stated in MOST.com (2008). The second technology in discussion is VOIP. The Voice over Internet Protocol (VOIP) has revolutionized and changed completely the way we use communication in a way similar to the invention of the telephone. MOST technology: a. Design: MOST is a technology that employs high speed multimedia network which facilitates common devices like PDA, DVD, radio and many others for the purpose of getting used by them at the lowest cost. The common devices can connect with this network to provide functionality to the end consumers to avail live audio and video having a standardized interface. It provides extendibility and reliability to the devices. Extendibility in the sense that more standardized devices can be easily added to the MOST networks without problems. b. Technical elements: MOST devices are connected using a ring which feeds the output to the input of the device in a circular manner. The token which travels in the network is a frame which contains streaming data segment, packet data and control information (MOST, 2008). The streaming data flows in the ring at the same speed the network is running. The synchronous feature of the data flowing in the network is at the same speed and retains the quality of the data. However packet data is non-synchronous in nature and may flow in several frames. The amount of streaming data and packet data forms a larger portion of the frame and the ratio is according to the application requirements. Control data on the other hand forms a little portion of the frame and contain the control information. It signals of the information into parts, in every frame so that it is grouped and regrouped by the receiving device for the knowledge of the placement of segment and packet data. Reliability compounds to the workability of the devices so that any device following the standard TCP/IP protocol. The reusability feature would enhance the functionality as more devices with a HMI (Human Machine Interface) can interact with each other for using the multimedia features. c. Innovation: MOST was quite different concept to sharing of real time multimedia data over the network. In comparison to company LAN or WAN it offers more reliability, security and is independent of architecture. The underlying nature of the network is completely ignored in this technology. The functionality of the devices is broken into modules that can be merged with other modules in the network to share the functionality and modular approach. A company’s LAN or WAN would not be independent to architecture issues and reusability issues are quite absent in the LAN or WAN. d. Market and fitness for purpose: The market for most has been tremendous to the concept and can be put to advantage in the following manner: Form the perspective of the carmakers: It promotes extendibility to add various devices into the network and does not require bothering about the problem to add devices at low costs. It promotes reusability so that the various components can be used in multiple environments for achieving the desired results. It can be used across various architecture, thereby increasing volume of multiple usages and reducing individual component costs. The standardization of the various components makes sure that older architectures are able to support various devices and reduce cost immensely. From the perspective of the module developers: It lowers effort and time for developing components that can be used across lower models, high models and even in houses with a variety of components added for getting the job done. It also lowers production time and its digital nature decreases time and effort to make devices that can be added effectively. From the perspective of the consumers: The consumers get a great technology at hand to reduce their transaction costs as the devices are quality oriented and allow an old car to be reformed into a new working device. e. How does it make money? The use of MOST technology makes sure that it promises greater flexibility, lower costs of production and changes the entire perception for developing something new. All this coupled together makes and saves enough money from the perspective of the carmakers, module developers and consumers on the whole. VOIP technology: a. Design: Cannon, a Representative in Congress from the State of Utah, and Chairman, Subcommittee on Commercial and Administrative Law, in a hearing about VOIP, explained (U.S. House of Representatives, One hundred eight Congress, 2004) that, VoIP allows the user to make telephone calls using a broadband Internet connection rather than a regular or analog hard-switched telephone line. While VoIP has been available in various forms since about 1995, the creation of new IP services and the increasing penetration of broadband into the residential markets have spurred significant growth in the industry. New and established telephony providers alike now offer various kinds of VoIP, and the service is no longer limited. b. Technical elements A conversation using VOIP begins like any other phone conversation. You pick up the phone, dial a number, and you are connected to the person you’re calling (Ledford, 2006, p. 5). However, according to FCC (2007), “First you need an Internet connection, and, for many types of VoIP calls, you need a broadband Internet connection. VoIP converts the voice signal from your telephone into a digital signal that travels over the Internet. With VOIP, consumers can communicate telephone-to-telephone, computer–to-telephone, or computer-to-computer, with the Internet carrying the voice traffic. c. Market and fitness for purpose: Furthermore, Ledford (2006) states that, “In fact, some telephone executives in mid 80’s didn’t believe that cellular phones would even become as widely accepted as they are”. Now Internet phones are adding to the pressure and traditional telephone companies are finding their customers leaving in droves for other service options. In response, those traditional phone companies are rushing to offer better, and less expensive, service plans to existing customers. On the other hand, Kelly (2005) noted that, VoIP is not just about making and receiving telephone calls; it’s about a whole new way of communicating. It integrates most if not all other forms of communication. VOIP technology is evolving as an application platform that enables services through devices such as desktop computers, mobile devices, set-top boxes, and others where increased functionality and value-added services are paramount. d. How does it make money? The VOIP solution provides a cheaper and clearer alternative to traditional Public Switch Telephone Network (PSTN) phone lines. Also, Ledford (2006) states that, “There is less maintenance involved and even equipment required is dropping in price, making it affordable to everyone.” Furthermore, according to Kelly (2005), “VOIP makes possible other services that older telephony systems can’t provide. VOIP telephony services are interoperable, meaning that they work well over all kinds of networks. They are also highly portable, which means they will work with any IP-enabled device such us IP telephone, a computer, or even a personal digital assistant (PDA) In like matter, for business prospective, a national enterprise voice over Internet protocol (VOIP) survey conducted by Qwest Communications International Inc. (2005) found that, “U.S.-based companies anticipate saving 40 percent on telecommunication costs as a result of implementing VoIP. Additionally, 100 percent of information technology (IT) managers’ surveyed plan to install new or additional VOIP services within the next year. When asked what the primary influencer was to install VOIP, 64 percent reported cost savings, while 36 percent noted it was the availability of features and improved productivity.” Hence, according to Verso Technologies, Inc.(2007), “VoIP has none of the physical location limitations of traditional cooper line connections. Employees can travel from site-to-site or work from home and have access to full business telephone features and services. For remote employees as well as highly mobile employees, VoIP provides the ability to access the same advanced communication services, from any location or device, which provides the user broadband access to the internet and corporate VPN.” Beyond that, internal calls with in a company are rooted over the internal LAN/WAN instead of going out to the Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) or local phone company for every call. This saves companies for significant amount of money, since all internal company calls are then free. Beside just the cost saving that you would have when you bypass the PSTN, VOIP allow companies to converge networks. Converging a network means that the phone and computer will share the same network connection, thereby allowing the companies to save money on network drops, equipment and staff to support the second network. Conclusion The MOST technology makes sure that it can render functionality like architecture neutral, platform dependent and network architecture independent. Voice over Internet Protocol (VOIP) has revolutionized and changed completely the way we use communication in away similar the invention of the telephones. It integrates most if not all other forms of communication. You can even run video-conferencing to your desktop. VOIP offers lot customizable features, great cost saving, and better services. He also stated that, the Administration strongly supports the rapid and widespread rollout of new technologies such as VOIP that make the world more productive. These technologies have cut costs of the designers, suppliers, vendors and consumers with an all round affect to promote reusability, extendibility and making and supporting several architecture at the same time. References Federal Communications Commission (FCC). (2007). Voice over Internet Protocol (VOIP): Consumer fact sheet. Retrieved 7, January 2008 from http://www.fcc.gov/cgb/consumerfacts/voip.pdf Kelly, T. (2005). VoIP for dummies. Hobeken, NJ: Wiley Publishing, Inc. Ledford, L.J. (2006). Cut the cord! The consumer’s guide to VoIP. Boston, MA: Thomson Course Technology. MOST.com (2008). Retrieved 7, January 2008 from http://www.mostcooperation.com/technology/introduction/index.html. Qwest Communications International Inc. (2005). Survey shows that businesses expect 40 percent savings with VoIP; 100 percent of businesses surveyed plan to install VoIP in the next year. Business Wire. U.S. House of Representatives, One hundred eight Congress. (2004, July): Regulatory aspect of VoIP. Washington, DC: U.S Government Printing Office. Wooldridge M. & Jennings N (2001). "Intelligent Agents: Theory and Practice. Knowledge Engineering Review. Vol. 10:2.pp. 115-152. Read More