Using Network

CHAPTER 6
USING NETWORKS
Cambridge International AS and A Level IT
Anjan Mahanta
anjan.mahanta@satreephuketipc.com

Learning Objectives
● Understand the advantages and disadvantages of networking computers
● Be able to describe the characteristics and purpose of different types of networks, such as LAN,
WAN, VPN, client-server, peer-to-peer, intranets, extranets and the internet
● Be able to define the terms internet and World Wide Web and discuss the difference between the
two
● Be able to discuss the benefits and drawbacks of using the internet
● Understand how the internet is used for communication
● Be able to discuss the advantages and disadvantages of mobile networks
● Understand how to set up a video and a web conference and describe how they use networks
● Be able to describe how data is transmitted in a video conference
● Understand the impact of video conferencing on our lives 2

● A single computer is known as a stand-alone computer.
● When we connect stand-alone computers together we create
a network.
● The first instance of computers being linked together was in
1969 with the Advanced Research Projects Agency Network
(ARPANET).
Networking Computers
3

Advantages & Disadvantages
Advantages Disadvantages
Users can share their data with other users
on the network.
Setting up a larger network can be expensive, especially if
the network requires cabling,several servers, switches and
wireless access points. The staffing costs to maintain a
network can also be expensive.
Users can access their data from different
computers on the network.
Networks can have security risks. Many users’ data may be
accessed if an unauthorised user gains access to a
networked file server.
File servers can be used to store data in a
central location. This makes it easier to keep
the data secure and to create a back-up copy.
Viruses could easily spread from one networked computer
to another, if a network is not sufficiently protected.
4

Application servers can be used to store
software in a central location. This can often
reduce software costs as a site licence could
be purchased, if available. A software site
licence is generally cheaper than individual
licences. This also means that software
updates would only need to be run on the
server.
A whole network could fail if one element of the network
fails. This will depend on how the network is structured.
Communications can be sent from one
computer to another.
A high amount of network traffic may cause a network to
run slowly and cause frustrating delays.
5

Printers can be shared. This means that a
number of users can share resources in a
company or home, rather than requiring their
own.
An internet connection can be shared,
allowing each user on the network to access
the internet.
6

LOCAL AREA NETWORK
LAN
● LAN is a network that covers a small
geographical area.
● LANs are usually found in homes,
schools, universities and small
businesses.
7

WIDE AREA NETWORK
WAN
● A WAN is a network that covers a larger geographical area.
● A WAN may be contained within a country or can spread across several countries.
Organisations such as banks, police forces and hospitals use WANs to share data.
● The internet is a global WAN. Several LANs can be connected together to form a WAN.
8

COMPARISON OF LAN & WAN
Factors Local Area Network Wide Area Network
Data transfer rates Can have up to 1Gb per second. Often restricted to less than
200Mb per second.
Data transmission errors Fewer errors as data packets are
sent over short distances.
Greater chance of error as packets
are sent over longer distances.
Connection method Restricted to within a small
location. Copper wire, fibre optic
cable or radio waves are mostly
used.
Expanded to a wider location.
Copper wire, fibre optic cable or
microwaves are mostly used. They
can often use public telephone
network systems, leased lines,
transmission towers and satellite
communication.
9

COMPARISON OF LAN & WAN
Factors Local Area Network Wide Area Network
Security Comparatively his as security can
be easier to implement over a
smaller number of devices and
connections.
Comparatively low as security is
difficult to implement across a
higher number of devices and
connections.
Ownership Mostly owned by individuals or
individual organisations.
Elements of the network often use
communication infrastructures
owned by others.
10

NETWORK ARCHITECTURE
CLIENT - SERVER
● A client-server network uses a dedicated computer to store data, manage resources and
control user access.
● This computer is known as a server. The server acts as a central point on the network that
other computers connect to. A computer that connects to the server to access the data
and resources it manages is known as a client.
11

CLIENT - SERVER
Network Servers handle a variety of functions:
● Storing a database of usernames and passwords to control user access
● Data storage
● Security
● Assigning levels of access that determine what resources a user may access
● Monitoring network traffic
● Hosting of shared applications
● Managing an internet connection
● Scheduling and running back-ups
● Email services
● Printing jobs on network printers
● Domain name services
12

PEER - PEER
● A computer in a network that is not connected to a server and does not control another
computer.
● A peer-to-peer network has no central server to manage the network. Each computer on
the network shares its data and resources with all the others. No computer has control
over another. Each computer is known as a peer.
13

PEER - PEER
● On a peer-to-peer network, users store data on their own computer,but may allow other users access
to it.
● Alternatively, they may choose to keep their data private. Individual peers may provide resources that
others do not.
● For example, a peer may have a printer attached to it and other peers may print to that printer.
14

COMPARISON BETWEEN
CLIENT-SERVER & PEER - PEER NETWORK
15
Client-server network Peer-to-peer network
A dedicated computer controls the network. No individual computer controls the network.
Centralised database of users, usernames and
passwords.
No centralised database.
Centralised data storage. Data is stored on individual computers.
Centralised back-ups. Relies on users remembering to back-up individual
computers.
Suited to large networks with many computers. Suited to small networks with few computers.

CLIENT-SERVER NETWORK
16
ADVANTAGES DISADVANTAGES
Centralised database of users, usernames and
passwords provides login security.
Expensive to set up and maintain.
User data is kept private. Failure of a central server may make the whole
network fail.
Level of access can be applied to resources. Requires specialist technical staff to maintain.
Users do not have to worry about security as a
network manager maintains the network.
Users do not have to make backups as back ups are
centralised and handled by the network manager.
On larger networks several servers can be used for
different functions to maintain network efficiency.

PEER-PEER NETWORK
17
Cheap to set up and maintain. Does not require
expensive servers.
No centralised database of users, usernames
and passwords, making it harder to maintain
security.
Failure of an individual peer only removes access to
the resources and data which that peer handles. The
rest of the network remains
unaffected.
Users have to worry about making backups as
no centralised backup service exists.
Does not require specialist technical staff to maintain. The more computers there are on a peer-to peer
network, the slower it will run.

Examples
● Banks use client-server architecture to provide online banking services. When a
device (such as a personal computer (PC), tablet or smartphone) connects to the
bank through the internet, the device becomes a client. The bank’s servers
handle the client and provide access to online banking facilities.
● Companies use servers to host websites.Client computers access the web pages
they contain.
● On-demand that stream content television to client and film devices. providers
have servers.
● Many peer-to-peer networks exist over the internet that allow users to share
music,images and videos. Each peer has some content and allows other users
access to it. 18

VIRTUAL PRIVATE NETWORKS (VPN)
● A VPN is a method of allowing a remote computer to connect
securely to a private network using external resources.
● Once connected to the VPN,the remote computer then has secure
access to the LAN’s resources, just as if it were directly connected
to the LAN.
● Security is implemented through the use of tunnelling protocols
and encryption.
● To connect to a VPN, a user remotely logs on to the network. Once
the user’s identity has been authenticated, the VPN’s tunnelling
protocol sets up an encrypted link to the user’s computer. Data can
then be transmitted securely. 19

VIRTUAL PRIVATE NETWORKS (VPN)
20

VPN
23
VPNs maintain a high level of security for data
transmission over the internet.
Performance of the VPN may be outside the
control of the organisation. It is dependent on the
external resources that
are used.
VPNs use external resources. Organisations that use
VPNs can save money as they do not need to purchase or
implement secure,dedicated connections,called leased
lines, for users who want to access the network.
A certain amount of technical expertise is required
to setup and maintain VPNs. The cost of this
expertise must be factored in when deciding
whether to implement a VPN.
The cost of maintaining the external resources is covered
by someone else.
Adding extra clients costs very little as the network is
virtual.

INTRANET
● Intranets usually use client-server architecture. They often
use several servers. A web server hosts the intranet’s web
pages, while an email server handles email communication.
Another server will handle user accounts and access.
● Many organizations now use an Intranet. For example,
schools use a virtual learning environment (VLE) to provide
teaching and learning resources to students. The VLE is an
Intranet to access information on its intranet.
● It can do this by using an extranet. An extranet is an intranet
that has been opened up to allow external user access.
Extranets use VPNs to allow an external user to securely
access the information on them.
24

EXTRANET
● Extranets usually only allow certain information to be
accessed. For example:
● A school’s VLE may allow parents to access their child’s
marks, attendance data and reports.
● A doctor’s surgery may be able to access a local hospital’s
extranet to make an appointment for a patient.
● A company may provide tracking information on deliveries it
is making to customers.
● Access to an extranet is normally available through the
organisation’s website.
● A user logs in using an email address and password that will
notify the extranet that the user is an authorised external
user. 26

The Internet
The internet is a global network made up of
interconnected networks and individual computers. This
global network allows users to access online facilities
such as electronic Communication, information
sharing,data storage, banking, video and music streaming
and social networking.
27

The Internet
HISTORY
● In the1950s and 1960s, the United States government formed
several organisations whose purpose was to develop new
technology. One organisation was the Advanced Research Projects
Agency (ARPA).
● The invention of packet switching allowed the creation of computer
networks.Taking advantage of this communication breakthrough,
ARPA created ARPANET, a network of computers that could share
data and computing power. 28

The Internet
HISTORY
● The 1970s saw the introduction of the protocol, TCP/IP.
This allowed separate networks to connect to each
other, forming the basis for the internet. The term
‘internet’ originates from ‘inter-network’, meaning a
network that was formed from the joining of networks.
● The1990s saw a huge increase in the size of the internet
and its purpose, as many commercial, educational and
home users took advantage of the facilities available
online.
● Today, the number of users and devices on the internet
runs into billions. 29

Characteristics of Internet
● Any device connected to the internet forms part of the internet. To connect to the
internet we need to use an internet service provider (ISP). ISPs use public telephone
systems, underwater cables, microwave transmissions via satellites and radio
waves to provide connections.
● Data and information is held and distributed by content providers. A content
provider is an organisation, group or company that offers content on web pages, for
example text, images,sound and video,or web-based services, for example
streaming media, gaming, shopping and electronic communication.
31

Characteristics of Internet
The internet is constantly changing and evolving. For example:
● Everyday, newly bought devices connect to it.
● The internet is expanding geographically as remote regions are connected through
the installation of cables or through satellite communication.
● The data it holds constantly changes as organisations add,edit and delete data from
their websites,and social networking users add and remove data.
● Newer technologies allow the range of facilities to expand. For example, the
introduction of broadband connections has encouraged the growth of internet
based, on-demand television services. 33

The Internet
34
Benefits Drawbacks
Information. A vast range of information is
available on virtually any topic.
Incorrect information. Anyone can publish
information on the internet. This means that
some of the information available is
inaccurate, out of date, incomplete or simply
incorrect.
Global audience. The internet is worldwide,
therefore contributors have a global audience.
Unsavoury behaviour. One serious problem
with the internet is that it allows people to
interact anonymously with other people.
Users are unsure with whom they are really
communicating. This means that people can
make up fake identities in order to cyberbully,
intimidate,steal and commit abuse.

The Internet
35
Benefits Drawbacks
Immediate transmission of information. Users
can send messages immediately across the
world. Postings on news sites and social media
can be seen immediately by an audience.
Hacking. Some users may use the internet to
attempt to gain access to other users'
computers. This is often in an attempt to steal
personal data or to crash websites. Protection
against hacking can be expensive to an
organisation.
Immediate availability of services. Users can
quickly access services such as to bank online,
book medical appointments, pay bills and
book tickets for transport and for leisure.
Viruses. An organisation or individual will
need to protect their computer against
viruses. A virus is malicious software installed
on a computer without consent or knowledge.
Removal of a virus can be a difficult job.

The Internet
36
Benefits Drawbacks
International ecommerce. Users have access
to online shops 24 hours a day and products
from all over the world. Companies can also
market products to consumers nationally and
internationally.
Identity theft through phishing and pharming.
Phishing uses fake emails pretending to be
from an organisation. Pharming works in a
similar way. When users attempt to visit a
known website, they are instead directed to a
fake website that looks just like the real one.
IEntertainment. Products such as software,
music, films and books can be purchased and
immediately downloaded. Users can play
online games, or join in multiplayer games
over the internet.
Unsuitable material. The free nature of the
internet means that unsuitable content is
present, such as pornography, graphic
violence, promotion of terrorism, torture and
physical and written abuse.

The Internet
37
Benefits Drawbacks
Free education. Many free online tutorials and
educational resources are available to help people
learn new skills or knowledge.
Spamming. The ease of communication means that
anyone can generate and transmit unwanted emails
to millions of users. It is estimated that 69% of emails
sent in 2014 were spam.
Social networking. The internet allows families,
friends, organisations and businesses to regularly
communicate,share and engage in social activities.
Online addiction. Some people have difficulty
separating virtual environments from reality. Others
find virtual worlds, such as those in massively
multiplayer online role-playing
games (MMORPGs) more alluring and comforting
than the real world.
Up-to-date news. News stories on the internet can
be read as soon as they are published.

The World Wide Web
WWW
● The World Wide Web is an information system comprising documents, images, videos and
sounds. It uses the internet as its base. Users access this information through websites and
web pages, which are accessed through the use of a web browser.
● The concept of the World Wide Web was developed by Tim Berners-Lee in 1989 when he
worked for CERN.
● He realised that any document could be accessed by a hyperlink, whether it is a text
document, an image or a sound clip. In 1990 Berners-Lee and Robert Cailliau published a
proposal to build a World Wide Web of hypertext linked documents that could be viewed
by a browser.
39

Communication using The Internet
● Instant messaging(IM): It is a form of communication that allows real-time text
transmission over a network, often the internet. Depending on the type of IM service,
messages are either transmitted once a message is composed and sent by the user, or
transmitted character by character as the user types. Some services allow files to be
transferred and conversations to be saved.
● Voice over IP (VOIP): It allow users to have voice communications, just as if they were
using a telephone system. Instead of using an analogue telephone transmission, the user’s
voice is recorded by the computer and transmitted digitally to the recipient.
● News services: They are organisations that collect and broadcast news stories for
subscribers. Users can sign up for news alerts using a smartphone application.
40

MOBILE NETWORKS
● A mobile network is a wireless WAN that uses radio to
transmit and receive communications from portable
devices,such as smartphones.
● Mobile networks now cover a considerable amount of the
inhabited areas of world.
● Mobile networks are broken down into small areas called
cells.
● At the heart of each cell is a radio base station that transmits
and receives messages.
● The base stations connect to public telecommunications
services allowing access to the internet. 42

MOBILE NETWORKS
● Cells vary in size:
○ picocells cover an area of less than 200 metres
○ microcells cover an area up to 2 kilometres
○ macrocells cover larger regions.
● There have been several generations of mobile networks, each
providing faster access speeds and greater reliability:
43

MOBILE NETWORKS
45
Mobile networks have enabled users to communicate
with others and access the internet while on the
move, often through the use of smartphones.
Quality of reception can vary and can be poor
towards the edge of a cell, leading to interrupted or
delayed transmissions.
Breaking the network down into cells allows for
lower power radio transmitters to be used, bringing
energy and cost savings.
The use of frequency must be carefully planned to
avoid interference between cells.
There are only so many radio frequencies that can be used for mobile communications. These frequencies can
be split among neighbouring cells, and reused in more distant cells,thereby increasing the number of
communications that can take place at the same time.
Larger geographical areas can be covered than by using a single transmitter. Even high power transmitters are
limited in range. By Using several, low power transmitters a wider area can be covered.
The use of multiple transmitters means the network is more robust. Failure Of one base station only affects
one cell, leaving other areas of the network unaffected.

VIDEO & WEB CONFERENCING
● One form of communication that is slowly gaining in popularity is video conferencing. Video
conferencing allows users to see and hear each other as they talk.
● Web conferencing is a similar communication medium.
● However, whereas video conferencing allows two-way communication, web conferencing
traditionally allowed one-way communication.
● A user would broadcast a video to many watching users, for example a company delivering a
training session or a university lecturer presenting a lecture. However, web conferencing
technology has expanded to allow two-way communication.
47

How to set up a video conference?
Video conferencing requires certain hardware and software:
• a desktop computer or laptop
• a webcam to record the user’s image
• a microphone to record the user’s voice
• a monitor to display the other participant’s image
• speakers to produce the other participant’s voice
• network (and internet) access to connect to the other participant
• video conferencing software to conduct and control the video conference.
48

● Many modern devices such as laptops, smartphones and tablets already
have this hardware. Smartphones and tablets are often supplied with
video conferencing software installed.
● Before a user can participate in a video conference, they must first
register with a video conferencing service. The service will have
software that the user needs to install.
● With the software running and the device connected to a network or
the internet, the user selects another registered user and initiates a
conference call. The other participant can accept or reject the call.
49

There are a number of checks that need to be made before a video conference goes ahead:
● All participants will need to make sure they have a stable and suitable internet
connection.
● Each participant will need to make sure that their microphone is inputting their voice,
and that it is doing this at a suitable sound level. Most video conferencing software has
a built in facility that allows a user to record their voice input and play it back to assess
if it’s correct.
● Each participant will need to make sure that they have correctly positioned their
webcam, and that it is safely and securely placed. They will need to test that their
image is being inputted into the system and that other participants can see them
clearly. Most video conferencing software also has a facility to test this. 50

How to set up a web conference?
● Setting up a web conference is a similar process to a video conference. Web conference
software is available, but quite often the same software that is used for video conferencing
can also be used to set up a web conference.
● Before initiating the web conference, the user sends an invitation to interested
participants,stating the time and date of the conference. The invitation often contains an
access code that allows the interested participant to logon to the conference, along with a
link that specifies the network address at which the conference can be accessed. Using
access codes helps keep unwanted users from participating.
51

● At the appointed time and date, users follow the link and logon using the access code. They
can now watch and participate in the conference.
● Participants may watch a demonstration of a product or read a document onscreen, but will
not require a web camera themselves to do this. Web conferences can also be just text
based, where participants will use a messaging facility to communicate.
52

There are a number of checks that need to be performed before a web conference goes ahead:
● Similar checks to a video conference will need to be performed for the internet
connection,microphone and a web camera if used.
● In some web conferences, participants may want to share documents. Most web
conferencing software will allow participants to do this. This will either be through
documents being preloaded into an online meeting room, or by a linksentin a messaging
facility during the web conference. A test may need to be carried out on whether the
preloaded documents can be accessed, or that the text facility can be used.
53

Using Networks in Video and Web Conferencing
● The wide-scale use of video conferencing and web conferencing would not be
possible without the use of networks. The use of packet switching enables video
and sound transmissions to be broken down into packets, just like any other type
of data, to be transmitted. The resulting packets can be easily and swiftly
transmitted across networks and the internet.
● Video and web conferences held internally within organisations will make use of
that organisation’s LAN. The LAN may be wired or wireless. To connect
externally, the conferences will also need to make use of a WAN or the internet.
54

Using Networks in Video and Web Conferencing
● Video and web conferencing requires a reasonable data transmission speed; The higher
the required quality of video and sound, the higher the transmission speed that is
required. As a result, for video or web conference over a WAN, one of four types of
connection is usually used:
● Integrated Services Digital Network (ISDN)
● Asynchronous Digital Subscriber Lines (ADSL)
● Synchronous Digital Subscriber Lines (SDSL)
● 3G/4G mobile networks.
55

ISDN
● Integrated Services Digital Network (ISDN) is a networking
technology that allows data to be transmitted digitally over
analogue copper wire.
● This is usually with transmission speeds of up to 64Kbps per
channel. Two channels could also be used in parallel to send data
at up to 128Kbps.
● ISDN was popular in the 1990s and early 2000s but has largely
been replaced by much faster ADSL and SDSL networks.
● However, ISDN is still used in areas where ADSL and SDSL
technology has yet to be implemented. 56

ADSL
● Asynchronous Digital Subscriber Line (ADSL) technology, also known
as broadband, is now the most common type of connection to the
internet. It has typical transmission speeds of around 100Mbs.
● ADSL is used in homes and businesses to deliver reliable, high-speed
connections. Asynchronous means that download and upload speeds
are different.
● This means that ADSL works by unevenly splitting the balance
between download and upload speeds.
● Most homes and businesses will download more data from the
internet than they upload to it. As a result, ADSL download speeds are
usually far greater than upload speeds.
57

SDSL
● Synchronous Digital Subscriber Line (SDSL) technology
uses the same data transmission technology as ADSL.
● However, this time the download and upload transmission
rates are balanced and equal.
● SDSL is used by organisations that upload and download
equivalent amounts of data.
58

3G/4G
Mobile devices such as smartphones make use of 3G/4G
technology to allow users to use video conferencing when
travelling, or when access to a LAN is not possible.
59

CODEC
● For a video conference to successfully take place, the video
and audio signals must be transmitted over a network.
● Video signals require high volumes of data transmission.
● The higher the resolution of the video, the more data that
needs transmission, and the greater the traffic that is
placed on a network.
● High traffic can lead to disruption or interruption of the
video conference.
60

CODEC
● To overcome this problem, video conferencing uses software called codecs.
Codec is an abbreviation of the words 'coder’ and ‘decoder’.
● At the sender’s end, the ‘coder’ element of the codec takes the video and audio
signals and compresses them to reduce their file size.
● Reducing the file size means less data needs to be transmitted, reducing
network traffic and the possibility of disruption to the conference.
● At the receiver’s end,the ‘decoder’ decompresses the video and audio signals
so that they can be played.
61

CODEC
● The same codec must be used at both the source and the destination of the
data transmission.
● Different codecs compress and decompress in different ways, therefore are
incompatible with each other.
● As a result, several codec standards exist. The H.264 codec is one of the most
common and is used not only for video conferencing, but also with DVDs and
YouTube videos.
● Other codecs for video conferencing include H.261 and H.263+.
62

The Impact of Video Conferencing
Additionally, many computing devices now feature inbuilt video
conferencing equipment. Smartphone, laptops and tablets generally
have microphones, speakers and cameras, along with the network
connectivity needed for video conferencing. Free software allows
cheap video conferencing.
65

● A growing example of a video conferencing software that people use is Apple’s
FaceTime. Users that have an iPhone can use the inbuilt FaceTime software
application to communicate with each other using video conferencing.
● However, the general public has yet to fully embrace this technology. Many users
feel self-conscious and uncomfortable in front of a camera. Even though connection
speeds have improved greatly, video conferencing does require high-speed data
transmission.
● High levels of network traffic can more frequently interfere with,degrade or
interrupt video transmissions. This leads users to return to more reliable voice-only
methods. 66

● It could be argued that video conferencing is helping to widen the digital divide. Many
older users are wary of technology.
● Video conferencing has not yet directly had an impact on law.
● However, legislation has been implemented in several countries that allows a witness to
give testimony via video conferencing.
● In some countries,such as the United States, video conferencing allows defendants to
make initial court appearances without having to leave jail. This saves travel expense and
increases safety to the public as suspects remain in custody.
● In the UK,several police forces have implemented video conferencing as a way of
conducting interviews more quickly.
67

● Video conferencing has had an impact on education and the way that students learn.
Rather than listening to a teacher,or reading a book or web page, video conferencing is
used to engage students.
● Video conferencing allows students to participate in conversations and share ideas with
fellow students at schools and universities in other parts of the world.
● This can lead to unexplored perspectives about subjects being shared and argued in live
debates, resulting in wider, more Considered points of view, especially when the students
are from differing cultures.
68

● Speakingto industry and subject experts often engages and interests students in a topic.
Video conferencing allows experts to give talks and lectures without having to travel to a
school.
● Sometimes a talk can be given to more than one school at a time,allowing many students
to benefit from the experience.
● This is especially useful to schools in remote, isolated areas where travel would be difficult
or expensive.
69

● Universities make heavy use of video conferencing. The technology allows lecturers to
teach courses at several universities, while being based at one.
● Sharing of such expertise is becoming more common,especially in subjects where finding a
lecturer for a course has been difficult.
● Additionally, video conferencing allows lecturers to hold a lecture for students while away
on research or at conferences.
70

● Medicine and medical care are areas where video conferencing continues to be of growing
usefulness.
● Consultants and physicians in different hospitals are able to discuss a patient’s case and
help to offer a diagnosis.
● External hardware components such as ultrasound imaging devices and video endoscopes
can be connected and images from them shared in the video conference, helping
consultants at other locations to help assess a patient’s condition.
● This has the dual benefit of reducing travelling costs for consultants and increasing
efficiency as consultants can see more cases in any given time period.
71

● In some countries medical practices have introduced video conferencing to help doctors
and nurses keep in touch with patients who have physical impairments, and for those in
remote areas where travelling may be difficult or dangerous. In such situations video
conferencing can bring comfort to a patient, especially the elderly, who might not
otherwise have much human contact.
72

● Sometimes the best way to do business is in a face-to-face meeting. Email and telephone
provide useful media for arranging and making business deals, but when it comes to
agreements of great value, people tend to prefer to do business in person. Meeting
someone in person helps to promote goodwill,friendship and trust,
● However, face-to-face meetings are not always possible. For example, time constraints or
cost of travel may make them impossible. Video conferencing has provided a possible
solution to these situations.It allows people to have face to-face meetings without having
to leave the office. This saves travel expenses and it also allows for more efficient use of
an employee’s time, as hours are spent working and not travelling.
73

● Video conferencing has also helped to facilitate the growth in teleworking. Employee who
work regularly from home can sometimes feel cut off from their employer.
● Teleworkers that use video conferencing tend to feel happier and less isolated from their
employer and co-workers. Companies that have regional offices are finding that video
conferencing brings unexpected benefits.
● Many companies that regularly use video conferencing to communicate with their
regional offices find that employees in those offices feel more involved with the
organisation, increasing employee satisfaction and productivity.
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● Companies are also using video conferencing for staff training. Some companies have
several offices, and some, like banks, have many branches.
● A trainer at a company’s head office can deliver a training programme via a video
conference to staff at different offices or branches simultaneously.
● However, video conferencing can also cause anxiety and stress among some workers.
Some people are less confident in front of a camera.
● As a result, a video conference made by an employee with senior personnel can cause
more stress than a face-to-face meeting.
75

● One area in which video conferencing has seen a large scale uptake is in the media sector.
Video conferencing allows journalists to deliver live, on-the-spot reports in situations
where a live broadcast might not otherwise be possible.
● Another aspect to consider is press video conferencing. With businesses and
organisations taking advantage of the global audience the internet permits,it is becoming
increasingly common to hold international press conferences.
● These conferences are often held to launch new products or to make statements about
political affairs. Press video conferencing allows journalists to participate without actually
having to attend.
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