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DEPARTMENT OF MANAGEMENT
TERM PAPER REPORT
TITLE
Internet as a cost effective means of communication
Submitted By:Zameer Ahmad
Roll No:RS-1006-B-40
Registration No:11000046
Submitted To:Mr. Nandan Sujati
DEPARTMENT OF MANAGEMENTLOVELY PROFESSIONAL UNIVERSITY
PHAGWARA
(2010)
Acknowledgement
I sincerely feel that the credit of this term paper could not be narrowed to
only one individual as the whole work is outcome of integrated efforts of all
those concerned with it through whose cooperation and effective guidance I
could achieve its completion.
I wish to place my profound indebtness and deep sense of obligation to Mr
Nandan Sujati Senior lecturer Lovely Professional University for providing
me with the opportunity to work on such an interesting topic. I also want to
pay my gratitude and sincere thanks to my esteemed Sir for being
supportive and lenient during the entire tenure of this term paper.
When emotions are involved words fail to mean. My heart full sincere
gratitude to my parents, who have supported, encouraged and helped me
throughout my life and academic career.
Zameer Ahmed
DECLARATION
I, "Zameer Ahmad, hereby declare that the work presented herein on the topic “ internet as a
cost effective means of communication” is genuine work done originally by me and has not
been published or submitted elsewhere for the requirement of a degree programme. Any
literature, data or works done by others and cited within this dissertation has been given due
acknowledgement and listed in the reference section.
Zameer Ahmad (Reg. No:-11000046)
Date: - 2010-11-06
INTRODUCTION
Internet Communication
E-mail is an important communications service available on the Internet. The concept of
sending electronic text messages between parties in a way analogous to mailing letters or
memos predates the creation of the Internet. Today it can be important to distinguish between
internet and internal e-mail systems. Internet e-mail may travel and be stored unencrypted on
many other networks and machines out of both the sender's and the recipient's control. During
this time it is quite possible for the content to be read and even tampered with by third parties,
if anyone considers it important enough. Purely internal or intranet mail systems, where the
information never leaves the corporate or organization's network, are much more secure,
although in any organization there will be IT and other personnel whose job may involve
monitoring, and occasionally accessing, the e-mail of other employees not addressed to them.
Pictures, documents and other files can be sent as e-mail attachments. E-mails can be cc-ed to
multiple e-mail addresses.
Internet telephony is another common communications service made possible by the creation
of the Internet. VoIP stands for Voice-over-Internet Protocol, referring to the protocol that
underlies all Internet communication. The idea began in the early 1990s with walkie-talkie-like
voice applications for personal computers. In recent years many VoIP systems have become as
easy to use and as convenient as a normal telephone. The benefit is that, as the Internet carries
the voice traffic, VoIP can be free or cost much less than a traditional telephone call, especially
over long distances and especially for those with always-on Internet connections such as cable
or ADSL. VoIP is maturing into a competitive alternative to traditional telephone service.
Interoperability between different providers has improved and the ability to call or receive a
call from a traditional telephone is available. Simple, inexpensive VoIP network adapters are
available that eliminate the need for a personal computer.
Voice quality can still vary from call to call but is often equal to and can even exceed that of
traditional calls. Remaining problems for VoIP include emergency telephone number dialling
and reliability. Currently, a few VoIP providers provide an emergency service, but it is not
universally available. Traditional phones are line-powered and operate during a power failure;
VoIP does not do so without a backup power source for the phone equipment and the Internet
access devices.
SOCIAL IMPACT
Sociology of the Internet
The Internet has enabled entirely new forms of social interaction, activities, and organizing,
thanks to its basic features such as widespread usability and access. Social networking websites
such as Facebook, Twitter and MySpace have created new ways to socialize and interact. Users
of these sites are able to add a wide variety of information to pages, to pursue common
interests, and to connect with others. It is also possible to find existing acquaintances, to allow
communication among existing groups of people. Sites like LinkedIn foster commercial and
business connections. YouTube and Flickr specialize in users' videos and photographs.
In the first decade of the 21st century the first generation is raised with widespread availability
of Internet connectivity, bringing consequences and concerns in areas such as personal privacy
and identity, and distribution of copyrighted materials. These "digital natives" face a variety of
challenges that were not present for prior generations.
The Internet has achieved new relevance as a political tool, leading to Internet censorship by
some states. The presidential campaign of Howard Dean in 2004 in the United States was
notable for its success in soliciting donation via the Internet. Many political groups use the
Internet to achieve a new method of organizing in order to carry out their mission, having
given rise to Internet activism. Some governments, such as those of Iran, North Korea,
Myanmar, the People's Republic of China, and Saudi Arabia, restrict what people in their
countries can access on the Internet, especially political and religious content.[citation needed]
This is accomplished through software that filters domains and content so that they may not be
easily accessed or obtained without elaborate circumvention.[original research?]
The Internet has been a major outlet for leisure activity since its inception, with entertaining
social experiments such as MUDs and MOOs being conducted on university servers, and
humor-related Usenet groups receiving much traffic. Today, many Internet forums have
sections devoted to games and funny videos; short cartoons in the form of Flash movies are
also popular. Over 6 million people use blogs or message boards as a means of communication
and for the sharing of ideas. The pornography and gambling industries have taken advantage of
the World Wide Web, and often provide a significant source of advertising revenue for other
websites.[citation needed] Although many governments have attempted to restrict both
industries' use of the Internet, this has generally failed to stop their widespread popularity.
[citation needed]
One main area of leisure activity on the Internet is multiplayer gaming. This form of recreation
creates communities, where people of all ages and origins enjoy the fast-paced world of
multiplayer games. These range from MMORPG to first-person shooters, from role-playing
games to online gambling. This has revolutionized the way many people interact[citation
needed] while spending their free time on the Internet. While online gaming has been around
since the 1970s,[citation needed] modern modes of online gaming began with subscription
services such as GameSpy and MPlayer. Non-subscribers were limited to certain types of game
play or certain games. Many people use the Internet to access and download music, movies and
other works for their enjoyment and relaxation. Free and fee-based services exist for all of
these activities, using centralized servers and distributed peer-to-peer technologies. Some of
these sources exercise more care with respect to the original artists' copyrights than others.
Many people use the World Wide Web to access news, weather and sports reports, to plan and
book vacations and to find out more about their interests. People use chat, messaging and e-
mail to make and stay in touch with friends worldwide, sometimes in the same way as some
previously had pen pals. The Internet has seen a growing number of Web desktops, where
users can access their files and settings via the Internet.
THE IMPACT OF THE INTERNET ON COMMUNICATION
The Impact of the Internet on Communication
The internet has revolutionized all forms of communication since the beginning of its
existence. The world has now become �smaller' or more like a �global village', so to speak. The
internet was first used by the U.S military for communications purposes. The internet, from the
communication point of view, has brought on new developments and techniques to keep in
touch not only for individuals, but for businesses as well. An example of how the internet has
impacted communication would be an example of doctors now communicating through live
video feeds via the internet with patients or other doctors to diagnose patients or to even guide
and advise surgeons through complicated procedures.
Email (electronic mail) was one of the biggest breakthroughs in communication when the
internet was commercialized. With email, it became possible to send messages and letters
across the world in a matter of seconds to the recipients address. Email was used as an
alternative to conventional mail or �snail' mail, as the term was introduced to describe its speed.
As technology improved, it became possible to �attach' documents, photographs and even sound
clips or songs to emails which made mail by post redundant. Emails used packet switching
software whereby the email was broken down into �packets' and sent via the internet to the
recipient.
VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol)
Internet Voice, also known as Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP), is a technology that allows
you to make regular telephone calls using a dial up or broadband internet connection instead of
a regular phone line. Some services using VoIP may only allow you to call other people using
the same service, but others may allow you to call anyone who has a telephone number -
including local, long distance, mobile, and international numbers. Also, while some services
only work over your computer or a special VoIP phone, other services allow you...
INTERNET: A WAY TO COMMUNICATE
The Internet: A Way to Communicate Cost Effectively
The words communicate means to send a message. You communicate when you talk to
someone, or when you write a letter to a friend. Communication means all different ways of
sending messages or passing information from one person to another. These include visual
methods such as sign language, auditory, such as voice and music, and physical, such as touch.
Communication allows us to give this information to others for the purpose of enriching life for
ourselves and others.
We are living through a period characterized by the works of a new technological paradigm
organized around information technologies. This period is being driven by the new information
and communication technologies. It is the most important revolution since the industrial
revolution.
Advances in electronics, computers, and satellites mean that we can send information farther
and communicate faster than ever before. Powerful rockets have placed communications
satellites in orbit around the earth. They relay thousands of telephone calls across continents
so quickly that you can talk to people on the other side of the world as if they were next door.
Communication satellites also carry television and radio programs, facsimile images, telex
messages, and computer data.
One of the new communications technologies that are affecting our lives on a scale of
significant as the telephone and television is the Internet. Some people believe that when it
comes to distributing information, the Internet is the most significant invention since the
printing press. If you use a telephone, write letters, read a newspaper or magazine, or do
business or any kind of research, the Internet can radically alter your entire worldview.
Everywhere you turn, you hear people talking about the Net. Radio shows give you their e-
mail address, businesses give you their Web site, and strangers ask whether you have a home
page. People are going online and staying connected....
INTERNET THE ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES
"Beam me up, Scottie." This popular line from Star Trek was a demonstration of the advanced
technology of the future. Though it was a fictional story, Star Trek became the universal vision
of the future. As always reality tends to mimic fiction. Though our society has not quite
resulted to living in space, we have made life easier with technology. Economic survival has
become more dependent upon information and communications bringing forth new
technology of which was never thought possible. Just a mere thirty years ago a computer
occupied a whole room compared today’s palm sized computers, which are faster and perform
more functions. Cellular phones, now light and compact, were bulky just ten years ago. The
most incredible invention, the Internet, is bringing infinite amount of information to your
desktop. In the world of the of the Internet there exist a world blind to skin color and other
physical appearances. The Internet while still young in age has grown rapidly, spreading to
countries world wide and connecting 50 million users. With its popularity, it is incumbent upon
our society to recognize how the Internet works and to be aware of its advantages as well as
disadvantages.
While seemingly high tech the Internet concept is rather simple. Computers speak to one
another and send information. This is accomplished by sending and receiving electronic
impulse, and then decoding them into a message. In order to communicate with one another
they are linked up in a network. They are then able to access information from thousands of
other computers. The network acts like one large computer storing information in various
places, rather than in one physical structure. Users tap into the Internet to access or provide
information. Internet technology allows one to surf the World Wide Web or send e-mail.
REVIEW OF LITERATURE
Internet use by university academics: a bipartite study of information and communication needs.
AUTHOR(S) Mohammad Nasir Uddin, (Mohammad Nasir Uddin is an Assistant Professor in
the Department of Library and Information Science at Rajshahi University, Rajshahi,
Bangladesh.)
ABSTRACT
In Bangladesh, there are only 0.2 million Internet users out of a population of 140 million.
Because there is a lack of academic research on Internet usage, the prime objective of this
study is to report the level of Internet use by university academics for their information and
communication needs. The study also sought to find out whether differences exist among the
various levels of academics in terms of their use of the Internet. Six categories of information
and communication needs were identified and a survey conducted among the lecturers of
Rajshahi University where the Internet was introduced in 2001. Findings showed that Internet
use by academics is useful for some common needs and that the academic rank of users is an
important factor in determining the priority of needs. It also showed that there are some
barriers to adequate use of Internet resources. Suggestions are made for increased use of the
Internet, to benefit the nation as a whole
Use and impact of Information-Communication Technology in modern conflict: the war in Iraq
AUTHORS Uroš Svete
ABSTRACT
Technology has always been one of the decisive factors, by which the outcome of conflict or
war ought to be influenced without any doubt. But with Information-Communication
Technology (ICT) appearance it seems the revolutionary changes began concerning conflict
perception, the organisation of actors waging a war and (spatial) spheres where conflicts are
taking place. The case of last Iraqi war should confirm this thesis. The main purpose of my
research paper is therefore to prove that ICT has really multidimensional impacts regarding
recent conflicts and wars and these impacts should be analysed with interdisciplinary approach
in any case.
So my research paper based especially on strategic (defence) studies as well as on
communication and sociological theory guidelines, what actually ensures a real
interdisciplinary approach. Within these three basic theoretical approaches the concepts such as
propaganda, perception management and information operations/warfare as well as asymmetric
warfare, have also been used.
Internet use by health professionals at the Health Sciences Centre of Kuwait University
AUTHORS Sajjad ur Rehman, (Sajjad ur Rehman is Professor of Library and Information
Science at Kuwait University, Safat, Kuwait.), Vivian Ramzy, (Vivian Ramzy is Medical
Librarian in the Health Sciences Centre of Kuwait University, Safat, Kuwait.)
ABSTRACT
The purpose of this study was to analyse Internet use and related issues among the health care
professionals at the Health Sciences Centre of Kuwait University. A questionnaire was
administered to all the 180 faculty members in HSC. The response rate was 76.6 per cent. The
extent and patterns of their use of the Internet for 12 applications were analysed. The current
level of skills was examined and perceptions for improving them were explored. Also, the
impact of the Internet on professional and personal development was explored. Problems
related to access and use were also investigated. It was found that the Internet had become a
vital instrument for research, information, and communication in the lives of these
professionals. Respondents wished to be further empowered through rigorous training and the
alleviation of problems that inhibited their Internet use.
The Internet and services marketing – the case of Danish retail banking
AUTHOR(S) Niels Peter Mols, (Niels Peter Mols (nmols@econ.au.dk) is Associate Professor,
Department of Management, and University of Aarhus, Denmark.)
ABSTRACT
Examines various aspects of the motives, perceptions and expectations connected with the
introduction of Internet banking in Danish retail banking Responses from 60 key managers in
the largest retail banks in Denmark show that they believe that Internet banking will become
more important in the future, whereas all other distribution channels are predicted to become
less important Describes further the relationship between the perceptions of and expectations
from Internet banking, the reasons for offering an Internet bank and the way it has been
organized in the banks.
INTERNET AS A COST-EFFECTIVE & FASTEST MEANS OF COMMUNICATION
With service industry booming at a faster rate, various conferencing service providers have
come up with solutions to help people in conducting conferences more effectively. Every
organization is now incorporating conference calling services in order to establish direct
connection with their clients present in different parts of the world. It is very useful for remote
business meetings.
For conference calling, Calls can be connected from any cell phones, landlines etc. No extra
support applications are required. In this service, you can call the person you want to talk to
and can add more participants in the conversation.
Conference calling can be done in either of the two ways; one is dialing through the
conference bridge, which is a special kind of telephone having a facility to link multiple
telephone lines simultaneously. The other method is through special telephone number set up
for conference calling. It is one of the primary means of saving time, minimizing travel costs
and increasing the productivity of employees by cutting down the time of travel.
Voice conferencing is one of the most demanded conferencing solutions, where the users are
offered features like audience poll, call recording, auto-reply, messenger services and survey
facility. Voice conferencing is a cost effective medium of conducting conference, as it helps in
connecting multiple callers at the same time on the single platform.
Most organizations do not use the Internet to buy goods and services—yet. ITC’s trend-
trackers in international purchasing and supply management expect this to change; however, as
Internet use becomes more widespread. Companies and governments in developing countries
and economies in transition should take a second look at using the Internet to save time and
money on purchases, and build better relations with suppliers.
Business use of the worldwide network mostly involves information gathering with relatively
few organizations actually purchasing products or services over the Internet. Yet the Internet is
already proving its cost-effectiveness in purchasing and supply management, according to trade
sources as diverse as leading business newspapers, specialized purchasing and supply
management magazines, and reports from international organizations.
Purchasing-related sites are on the rise, such as ones allowing businesses to track costs of raw
materials and ones with on-line procurement requests. As telecommunication infrastructure
improves, and people become more comfortable with using the Internet, organizations are
starting to use a variety of tools (ranging from simple e-mails to more sophisticated Internet-
based Electronic Data Interchange systems) to track purchases, manage stock levels, streamline
ordering and payment processes, and build better relations with suppliers.
SIX REASONS TO USE THE INTERNET FOR DOING THE COST EFFECTIVE
COMMUNICATION
Cut purchasing costs. One can negotiate better prices for the products you purchase by using
the Internet to monitor the material and labour costs of your suppliers. If your product material
contains a high percentage of commodities, you can monitor current market prices and trends
in public on-line databases, and use this information when negotiating with suppliers. Sources
like Reuters commodities (http://www.commods.reuters.com) provide you with both current
and historical data on commodity futures and options prices, which can help you to hedge
against future price rises.
The Internet can also help you analyze the labour costs involved in your purchased product.
For an example, visit the web site of the United States Department of Labour
(http://www.bls.gov/datahome.htm), where you can obtain information on International
Comparisons of Manufacturing Productivity and Unit Labour Cost Trends for 1997.
Even without analyzing the detailed material or labour costs of your supplies, you can use the
Internet as a benchmark for comparison with current prices paid, or for negotiating anticipated
price rises. Try to access a server specialized in the market from which you are buying. You
can often gather commercial information on your supply market, and also request suppliers
connected to this site to quote you a price according to your specifications. For example,
buyers of office supplies in developing countries can now use the Internet and sites such as
Buyerszone (http://www.buyerszone.com) to identify which local equipment is overpriced
when compared with competitively-priced international market items, enabling them to
negotiate discounts with their local suppliers.
Using the Internet allows you in some cases to directly access manufacturers, and save money
by avoiding costs of intermediaries. This was the experience of a rural Kenyan farming
cooperative, which managed to bypass distributors and obtain lower prices by establishing a
direct relationship through e-mail with the US-based Earth Marketplace, whose main business
is selling directly to North American consumers.
Reduce operating costs. The Internet—when coupled with web-based Electronic Data
Interchange systems that incorporate a purchase order facility—reduces costs involved in order
processing and invoice processing. It also lowers costs by reducing the number of dedicated
telephone lines for fax machines normally required to move data.
Improve management of suppliers. Strengthen relationships with suppliers that are linked
with you electronically. For example, you can communicate by e-mail, involve them at an early
stage in your design process, exchange ideas for product improvements and encourage them to
send you information regularly on your supply market by e-mail. The more you improve
information flows and communication (both with your internal customers and with suppliers),
the faster you can react and cut lead times.
Control stock levels. One of the greatest benefits organizations can achieve by electronic
linking with suppliers is substantial savings in inventory. Better communication links will
decrease supply risks and shorten lead times, enabling you to adapt stock levels to the
variations in demand more rapidly.
Take advantage of government and international organization calls for bids. Businesses
are responding to a growing use of the Internet by governments to disseminate procurement
opportunities and receive quotations from interested providers. International organizations are
also using Internet for purchasing activities. The United Nations, for example, recently
launched UN Development Business Online (http://www.devbusiness.com), a site providing
procurement opportunities from multilateral development banks, such as the World Bank, and
other international agencies. Over the next five years, the major development banks will pay
over US$ 190 billion to companies worldwide.
Reduce problems. Other concrete advantages of using Internet-based tools include eliminating
errors due to rewriting or re-keying data, and speeding up the payment process by processing
invoices electronically.
USING INTERNET FOR MARKETING IN A COST EFFECTIVE MANNER
Also known as Web Marketing, Website Marketing, Search Marketing, Internet advertising,
or eMarketing, Internet Marketing integrates a variety of creative and technical facets of the
Internet, including design, development, advertising, and sales.
Internet Marketing is best deployed as part of an overall strategic web marketing
campaign. Internet Marketing should be viewed as a synergy of business models, platforms,
technology and techniques applied to meet business objectives through good website
marketing. Internet Marketing is a powerful concept when applied properly and good
website marketing can be delivered through quality web design, site functionality and
search marketing through search engine optimisation as well as in a variety of other formats
such as:
Banner ads
Blogs and blog ads
Text linking
Group marketing
Audio/visual rich media ads
Podcasting
RSS feeds
Streaming media
E-mail list and newsletter publishing
Press release distribution
Virally distributed interactive products
Internet Marketing delivers and communicates messages. Internet Marketing is also used to
also sell virtually everything from products, brands, concepts, services, information,
donations, votes and profiles, making website marketing a versatile tool.
Large marketers continue to spend big online through Website Marketing and Search
Marketing. Online advertising alone is worth tens of billions of dollars annually. In 2008 it
is estimated that more than $5 billion will be spent worldwide in each of the top four
categories of Internet Marketing ads - adult content and gambling, information, electronics,
and computing, making web marketing a growing industry. The US is predicted to lead the
world in Internet Marketing through adverts, spending over $45 billion in 2011 purely on
website marketing, making internet marketing big business.
The reasons for Internet Marketing proving such a powerful, emergent concept are many.
Internet Marketing is targeted:
Internet Marketing can be directed at specific web users, with content and media created to
deliver appropriate messages via website marketing techniques. Specialised interest groups
and niches can be focused by targeted Internet Marketing.
Internet Marketing is flexible:
An Internet Marketing campaign can be very specific, not just in where and how the Internet
Marketing campaign will run but also when the web marketing runs. Website Marketing
Campaigns can be time exact and efficient.
Internet Marketing is measurable:
Internet marketing campaign performance analytics can be closely studied to reveal key
web marketing performance indicators. E.g. - new customers acquired, status of existing
customers, profitability of customers by demographic segments, spend per head, return on
investment and many more website marketing stats. Website Marketing results are easily
accessible, making web marketing and search marketing a great measurable tool.
Internet Marketing is adjustable:
As the Internet is such a dynamic environment, website marketing campaigns can be honed
as an ongoing process of web marketing. Analytics and Internet Marketing campaign data
can reveal strengths and weaknesses in Web Marketing campaigns and website marketing
resources deployed accordingly. Website marketing isn’t just focused and proactive,
Internet Marketing can also be extremely reactive.
Internet Marketing is Cost Effective:
Internet Marketing is relatively inexpensive when compared to the ratio of cost against the
reach of the target audience. Using website marketing, companies are able to reach their
target audience for a fraction of traditional advertising budgets with good Internet
Marketing. The current economic downturn may offer many potential opportunities for
companies to develop effective website marketing, search marketing and advertising. Search
marketing incorporating organic search engine optimisation and pay per click (PPC) web
marketing campaigns prove the most effective forms of website marketing.
ANALYSIS
In the present world, businesses are growing globally. Companies are no more regional or
national; if they are to succeed, they have to compete globally. Similarly, individuals and
business customers are no more restricted to specific areas. Everyone has access to internet so
they are very well aware of the prevalent prices. In such situations if companies and individuals
are to thrive, they have to reduce their costs to retain and expand the current market share.
Hence, for this purpose, the individuals and organizations need to communicate with people at
different locations. Within most organizations, conventional phone lines are still widely used.
Such option is not only expensive but also does not provide several benefits offered by Internet
Phone. If cellular phone is thought to be a substitute for landline, it also has many limitations.
You can move around with your mobile device but it is also costly. Your calls can be on
roaming (if you leave some specific area) which can charge extra to both to both parties on
line.
Different options are available as to how internet can be used for making calls and video
conferencing. There is good news in store for those dependent upon phone for their business
communications and want an inexpensive yet reliable way to communicate. On internet, there
are different websites having setup similar to a conventional phone with all facilities. Different
packages are available depending upon the services availed, like conference calling, call
waiting, voice mails, call divert, video conference etc.
In a computer, there are some additional hardware and software installed to use the facility of
telephone on the same computer. Telephony software provides access to the phone system.
Usually microphone and speakers or headset are mandatory to make calls. Wireless headsets
are available in the market with which you can move around (within range) while working with
your phone.
There are many web servers like MSN, YAHOO and Skype who are efficiently using the
technology and has made communication very affordable. Without incurring any additional
cost, you can download messenger from internet and use it to share emails, messages, voice
chat, video call, files, pictures etc. For video call you need to attach web camera. Once you
have the web camera all you need to do is to choose a person from your messenger list and
invite him/her to show and view video. When it is done, you can see and speak to the person
without any problem.
Apart from that there is Voice over Internet Protocol, also known as broadband or Internet
Phone. The technology of Internet Phone service has fascinated millions in no time due to its
uncountable advantages. You can communicate with anyone from anywhere at a price which is
as low as free. With it you, are no more bound to physical location or wires because you can
carry your portable number to any place where there is internet facility. Internet Phone service
can be utilized from anywhere, without any extra roaming costs like cell phones. You can also
make use of soft phone, which loads VoIP software on your laptop and you can use it with
internet.
The time is not far when landline phone would be something belonging to past. Graham bell
would have never thought that his invention would advance to such levels.