Advantages/Disadvantages and potential problems of technologies

Benefits and problems with different types of technologies

Wi-Fi

Advantages:

Allows flexible computing, is a low cost of implementation and is efficient.

One of the most obvious advantages of Wi-Fi is the flexibility that it offers. Everyone can just meet in a conference room, connect to the wireless network and get productive.

Wireless networks, of course, do not require network wiring. It is also easier and less expensive to grow a wireless network.

Ad hoc networking, a function of wireless networking, allows the construction and deconstruction of a network within a few minutes. This ability to quickly connect allows for collaboration, which would be difficult to achieve without Wi-Fi technology. Students working on projects, engineers constructing buildings or health professionals saving lives all can connect and collaborate quickly and efficiently using Wi-Fi technology.

Disadvantages:

Has weak security, interference occurs and there can be a limited range.

One big disadvantage of Wi-Fi involves security. By definition, free Wi-Fi hotspots are not secured. These open networks attract hackers who are broadcasting their own network id, very similar to that of the particular establishment. Many times customers connect to the hacker's network ID and become victims of identity theft. Wireless network can be secured for homes and offices, but it does take some work and some expertise, but you should never conduct confidential business on a free Wi-Fi network.

Wi-Fi operates in the 2.4GHz frequency, along with cordless phones, microwaves and even baby monitors. Many times these devices interfere with the wireless signal and cause problems with the network. The actual damage may be noticed immediately with degraded network performance or much later when you discover that a file has been corrupted.

Wi-Fi networks have limited range, especially in buildings. In an office building or home the signal has a range of about a hundred and fifty feet. Outside, where there are no walls, the signal may travel as far as several hundred feet. You must place the wireless access point in a location that is central so that all computers can attach to the network.

3 and 4G

Advantages of 3G:

High bandwidth, the measure of transmission capacity, is one of the selling points of 3G. This allows you quick and easy access to all of your favourite on-line multimedia and Internet tools, just like you were at home on a computer. You can pay your bills, book dinner reservations, update social networking pages and check e-mails, all on-the-go. While the maximum bandwidth for a stationary 3G device, according to Silicon Press, is 2.05 megabytes (MB), when you are moving slowly (such as walking), this drops to 384 kilobytes (KB). When you and your device are moving at high speeds (such as in a car), the maximum bandwidth drops to 128 KB. However, Silicon Press notes that this is still 10 times faster than the maximum bandwidth of moving 2G devices.

Another advantage of 3G technology is that is can utilise packet-based Internet protocol connectivity. This means your mobile device will always be on-line and ready for Internet access. However, you will not actually pay for the connection until you start sending or receiving data packets, such as sending an e-mail or looking a a webpage. Some 3G devices are also designed to automatically pick up the closest, free-to-access WI-FI signals, in which case, you won't have to pay anything for the Internet. 

Advantages of 4G:

The most obvious advantage of the 4G mobile network is its amazing speed. Increased bandwidth leads to much faster data transfer speed, which is especially advantageous for mobile devices. Users of the 4G network get the advantage of superior, uninterrupted connectivity, especially for advanced tasks such as video chats and conferences. Considering the younger generation of mobile device users, they can stream music, videos and movies at a much faster rate than ever before and can also easily share information on-line.

4G networks offer much more coverage than other systems such as WI-FI, which forces users to depend upon hotspots in each area you visit. Since 4G offers a coverage of 30 miles and more, as also overlapping network ranges, users would be assured of complete connectivity at all times.

One of the biggest problems with WiFi networks is that of on-line security. This is especially true for mobile devices. 4G networks offer complete privacy, security and safety. This is especially beneficial for corporate establishments and business persons, who hold sensitive information on their respective mobile devices.

4G networks are quite affordable these days, what with pricing schemes being considerably slashed to fit users’ budgets. Of course, this type of connectivity is more expensive than traditional WiFi networks, but it also has a lot more advantages to offer to users.

Disadvantages of 3G:

To support 3G technology, updates needs to be made to the current cellular infrastructure. According to 3G Internet, this means installing new 3G equipment at, ideally, every current cellular base station and acquiring new frequencies for 3G transmissions. Both of these undertakings are extremely expensive and could take a long time to complete fully. In addition, in order to utilise all of the features 3G technology has to offer, customers must purchase 3G-compatible handsets, which are generally more expensive than their 2G counterparts.

In addition to being more expensive, 3G handsets also require more power than most 2G models. According to Silcon Press, this extra power requirement can translate to larger batteries, shortage usage periods between recharging and more bulky handsets overall.

Disadvantages of 4G:

Though the concept of 4G mobile networks is steadily gaining popularity, connectivity is still limited to certain specified carriers and regions. Of course, the number of cities that have 4G coverage is increasing by the day. However, it would take its own time for this network to be available in all the major cities of the world.

Though the hardware compatible with 4G networks is available at much cheaper rates today than earlier, the fact remains that this new equipment would necessarily have to be installed in order to supply these services. This would prove to be a cumbersome process for most mobile carries planning to launch these services.

Since 4G mobile technology is still fairly new, it will most likely have its initial glitches and bugs, which could be quite annoying for the user. Needless to say, these teething troubles would be sorted out in due course of time, as well as with increase in network coverage.

4G mobile networks use multiple antennae and transmitters and hence, users would experience much poorer battery life on their mobile devices, while on this network. This would mean that they would have to use larger mobile devices with more battery power, in order to be able to stay on-line for longer periods of time.

Users would be forced to make do with 3G or Wi-Fi connectivity in the areas that do not yet have 4G mobile network coverage. While this is a problem in itself, the worse issue is that they would still have to pay the same amount as specified by the 4G network plan. This loophole has already resulted in many disgruntled customers. This situation can only be resolved once mobile carriers expand their 4G network coverage to include more regions.

Smart phones

Advantages:

Has personal connection and endless information

Smartphone's allow the consumer to always be connected to her circle of friends. The Internet capabilities allows her to update her Facebook page, check her e-mail account, and take advantage of the many social networking programs that keep us connected. However, this can add to social stresses, depending on ho connected the consumer really wants to be. Always being able to be contacted sounds ideal for some but sounds like a nightmare for others. Of course, you can limit your availability by simply turning your Smartphone off, or leaving it at home when you venture out.

The Smartphone allows the consumer to have all of the information the Internet supplies in the palm of his hand. This is a great advantage to have, especially if you are visiting a place you've never been before. For example, if you've just arrived in Santa Barbara, California, you can use your Smartphone to locate the restaurants, attractions and hotels in the area. Since the Smartphone is also a phone, you can make reservations while driving up. However, this can also lead to a lack of adventuring on the trip. While some wish to know everything about a location before they arrive, others still prefer the element of surprise.

Cell phones have become just about indispensable, with many people using them on a daily basis. Personal digital assistants have also grown in prominence, especially with professionals in need of a tool to help them organise, message and manage on the go. And of course, who doesn't like bringing their MP3 player with them so they can have their favourite tunes any time? But carrying three gadgets around is a hassle, not to mention a real cramp on pocket-space. Enter the Smartphone. Smartphone’s act as the all-in-one, offering cell phone service with the tools, applications and even games of the average PDA. Throw in that almost all Smartphone’s also function as portable media players, and you can kiss those crammed pockets goodbye.

Disadvantages:

Can be too useful at work (Distraction) and the battery charge.

Business minded people can always stay in touch with their clients, bosses and employees with the use of a Smartphone. These devices have the ability to store personal documents, contact lists, e-mail addresses and more. In short, the Smartphone can double as a mini-workspace, or office, in the palm of your hand. Of course, this will make getting away from work more difficult. Those who wish to leave their office, and their work duties, behind when they travel or go home may find the Smartphone more of a problem than a solution.

Smartphone’s are battery operated, and as soon as that battery runs out the phone itself needs to be recharged. The life of the battery depends on the type of phone you purchase, and how often it is used. Those who use their Smartphone’s in abundance will need to recharge the battery every few hours. Those who use it on a moderate level can have battery power throughout the day. However, if the user is not near a power outlet when the battery dies, the Smartphone is rendered useless.

VOIP (Voice over IP)

Advantages:

The main advantage of VoIP broadband phone service is the cost.  VoIP broadband phone providers charge you a much lower monthly fee for local, long distance and international than traditional phone service.

VoIP service is usually bundled with free features (such as caller ID with name, call waiting, conference calls, call forwarding) which are charged for additional cost by traditional phone companies. Even if you already have a regular phone line, VoIP is a good low cost alternative to add an additional phone line with extra features and low long distance and international rates. 

Mobility and portability. You can use the VoIP service anywhere with broadband connection. All you need are a laptop and a headset or just a VoIP phone adaptor. Even if you are travelling, you can still enjoy the cheap calling rates of VoIP service.

Disadvantages:

Some VoIP services do not work during power outages or when the internet connection is down. It is a good idea to install a backup power supply or have a mobile phone as a backup.

Call quality is affected by the quality of broadband connection and the performance of your PC.

So make sure you have good internet connection and both your computer hardware and software are running properly.

Cloud Services

Advantages:

It’s important to look at the benefits of Cloud computing against the security concerns before deciding if it is something you want to use for your company.

Cloud computing allows users to store files instead of on a hard drive or server at the office, in turn this means; no system failure, no office dependency and no extra IT infrastructure. There is nothing worse than coming into the office on a Monday morning and not being able to access your files because the server has gone down.

Cloud computing has also shown to be cost effective for companies that use it because there is no need to buy and install expensive software as it is already installed on-line  There is also the added benefit of no longer needing specialist IT staff to maintain and upgrade software. It is now possible for companies to access their own private cloud which can be tailored to include specific services and only accessible to the staff of that company. However, problems come with this private cloud that we will discuss later.

Cloud computing is especially beneficial to International companies as it offers the flexibility for its staff to gain access to company files wherever they are; they do not need to have access to the server.

The problem is that there are still some worrying security issues with Cloud computing; many companies have noticed Clouds benefits but are still reluctant to put secure data onto Cloud, especially a public Cloud, can we really blame them?

Disadvantages:

With the media highlighting all the security issues over the last few years it is no wonder people are reluctant, an example of a security breach that was highlighted was the attack on Sony PlayStation’s Cloud network, where many gaming user’s card details were stolen.

There are security concerns over the loss of control over sensitive data and the complexity of security is greatly increased when data is spread over a large number of devices and resources being shared by unrelated users. Not knowing where your data sits is also a continuing worry and if you want to take data back or destroy it, how do you know that it has been erased?

If a Cloud system is breached the amount of information lost will be far greater than if it is on a single computer and although it may have better defences if it is attacked more data will be lost.