Analysis of Digital Skills in Business During Pandemic (BUS101)

This report delves into the significance of digital skills in the contemporary business landscape, particularly in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. It examines the role of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) in facilitating data management and business operations. The report highlights the use of key technologies such as Zoom and Microsoft Teams for virtual meetings and internal collaboration, exploring their features, applications, advantages, and disadvantages. Furthermore, the report provides an overview of cloud computing, its concept, the need for it, and its characteristics, as well as discussing its advantages and disadvantages and applications. The report also addresses the importance of online security and privacy. It concludes by emphasizing the critical role of digital skills in adapting to the evolving business environment and leveraging technology for efficiency and success. This report is a valuable resource for students seeking to understand the impact of technology on modern businesses.

Skills in the digital age

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION......................................................................................................................3
Two major technologies used in Pandemic................................................................................3
ZOOM....................................................................................................................................3
Microsoft Teams....................................................................................................................4
Cloud Computing.......................................................................................................................5
Cloud computing- The Concept.............................................................................................6
Need for Cloud Computing....................................................................................................6
Advantages and disadvantages...............................................................................................7
Online Security and Privacy.......................................................................................................8
CONCLUSION..........................................................................................................................8
REFERENCES...........................................................................................................................9
Books and Journals................................................................................................................9

INTRODUCTION
Information and Communication Technology is one of the important source for data
required to make important decisions. It is used to connect and deliver information required
in each and every area of human life. It refers to all the channels of information run with the
help of technology used to manage data. It includes telecommunication, multimedia
processing, broadcast sources, transmission channels and network functions etc. In businesses
it is used as one of the important source for storing, retrieving and transmitting data in the
form of information. It helps businesses to run their operations effectively and efficiently
leading to accomplish goals. ICT includes both internet based technologies as well as
wireless networks such as mobile phones. It also includes other traditional technologies such
as radio, television broadcast, landline telephones etc. These are still used along with modern
cutting edge technology such as artificial intelligence, machine learning and robotics. ICT
consist of vast number of technology components including world-wide reach and scope.
These are cloud computing, internet access, software, hardware, data and communications
technology etc (Belluzzo and Rosetto, 2021). Thus, it can be said that ICT is one of the vital
source of information to access digital transactions and allow businesses to act in digital
world. This report includes usage of ICT in running businesses virtually in the current
pandemic, COVID-19.
Two major technologies used in Pandemic
ZOOM
It is one of the most used applications during the current pandemic, covid 19. All the
businesses used this application to run their virtual meetings online. It is widely preferred to
conduct professional or formal meetings. It provides multiple features required to conduct
effective business meetings. It has been used to conduct group meetings virtually running
from distant places at a time. It can be accessed by large number of people at a same time. It
includes various features such as audio, video, chat box, screen sharing, polling, voting etc.
This helps in conducting virtual meetings at a good quality which facilitates businesses to
perform their work virtually. It is a great source of business communication which has helped
many organizations to run their businesses from home during current pandemic. Furthermore,
it has led to connect people from different places at one online virtual zoom platform
(Temelkova, 2018).
Features- It is a software program that allows minimum 100 to 1000 maximum
participants concurrently.

 Simplicity in interface communication
 Browser extension
 Recording of the live meetings
 Video conferencing and screen sharing
Applications- It is applicable at various operating software such as Windows, Linux,
Android, Chrome, OS, iOs and Linux. Upto 49 people can be visible on desktop screen at a
time. It has various options for different level of plans such as Basic, Pro, Business and
Enterprise.
Suitability- It has its suitability with external world for communicating group of
people simultaneously. It has simplicity in user interface with the option of Zoom rooms for
facilitating business conferences. It is used in various organizations other than business
during current pandemic such as schools, universities, hospitals and informal meetings etc.
Advantages- The software has various advantages which helps in enriching better
communication across the world such as
 Security and privacy of data shared by the users with the help of encryption
practices.
 It has better connectivity with large number of participants at a single time.
 It has user friendly interface with compatible features and functionality.
 It provides good communication with large number of audience for conducting
meetings formally and informally.
Disadvantages- The software has few disadvantages which lead to hamper the
performance of online meetings. These are as following-
 It has lack of control in comment or live chats.
 Zoom bombing has become one of the drawbacks for the application in which
unwanted people crash in calls.
 It has various subscription plans which makes it expensive than others and
also it needs to get downloaded in the mobile phones or desktops for accessing
conference calls.
Microsoft Teams
Microsoft Teams is a platform for business communication launched by Microsoft as one
of its product for business development. It offers video conferencing, file storage, workspace
chat and application integration etc. It is one of the excellent platforms for internal
collaboration with business people. Thus, it is more preferred for internal business meetings
than external users such as customers, vendors. It is used for integration of applications,
storage of data and connecting with group of people etc (Sousa and Rocha, 2019). Thus, it is
one of the valuable source for integrating business people at one platform with varied features
which facilitates effective group meetings virtually.

Features- It has various features which help business people in collaborating with
internal teams. These are very effective in conducting group meetings, storing of files, video
conferencing, audio conferencing and sharing of screen etc. These features are as following-
 Online meetings
 Sharing files
 Chat box function
 Storage of files in Share point
 Video and audio conferencing
 Screen sharing
Applications- It is being applied in the internal collaboration with teams in an
organization. In this current pandemic where businesses cannot be conduct in workplaces,
this technology has become a great source of advantage for business people. It has its
applicability in changing the manner people perform their work with guidance. This helps in
reaching benefits from the usage of the technology.
Suitability- It is suitable for small to large teams or group of people in a business. It
enforces internal collaboration which includes working professionals in a business.
Advantages- It has varied advantages which can be used to promote the success of
business. These are as following-
 Increase in productivity with better communication
 Increased focus on work
 Transparency
 User friendly
 Easy access to digital world
Disadvantages- There are various disadvantages in terms of the application of the
software technology. These are as following-
 Ambiguity in the structure of file
 Non- optimized online meeting experience
 Difficulty in permission settings
 Limited flexibility can hampers usage
Cloud Computing
Cloud computing is a developing model in the information technology industry where
the computing is moved to a server or group of networks resulting in cloud for computers.
The main concept of cloud computing is that the large chunk of data available in companies
can be accessed with the help of cloud of computers. In this cloud, data is stored in server
which is a combination of group of networks. This leads to accesses of data anytime from
anywhere resulting in ease of storage and availability.

Computing can be expressed as configuration of computer hardware and software
with the help of developing and using them. It includes various activities from bottom area
i.e. everything from electronic device to memory and programming capabilities.
Cloud is referred to as a symbol or a metaphor for the connection of large number of
networks like internet or any other large networked background. It has come partly as from
the clouds –like a symbol which is used to represent the complications of the networks in the
plan illustrations (Eaton, 2020).
Cloud computing- The Concept
Cloud computing is a combination of large chunks of networks like internet called as
cloud. It is based on the advancement and usage of information technology (computing). It
facilitates storage, process and mange of data leading to retrieving of information. It is known
for its prominence in computing which helps in accessing and often artificial means are
provided as a facility over the internet. It is user friendly that is users need not to have vast
knowledge and expertise in managing and controlling of infrastructure in cloud technology.
The concept of cloud computing infrastructure as a service, platform as a service and
software as a service also the web 2.0 and other updated technology leanings in which all
have the common tendency of dependence on the internet network for sustaining the
computing requirements of the users.
The term cloud is used as an image for the Internet which is based on how and what
the Internet actually is revealed with the help of computer network chart and is often
depiction for the complex or ambiguous infrastructure it holds within (Keeley and Little,
2017).
Need for Cloud Computing
Cloud computing is one of the essential facilitator in the IT industry as requirements
for data in companies are increasing day by day. In this it can be stated that need for
computing has never been before like it is required now in the businesses to run effectively. It
is fulfilled with the help of enhanced CPU power through which we can scale our businesses
at a larger area. Thus, it has become a boon for the information technology for handling and
storing data in terabytes units. Big companies take help from other cloud facilitators for
storing their data as back up in these big cloud servers.
In this storage of data is used in such a manner that it can be retrieved by the user or
easily available to them. It can be done with the help of strong power of CPU on which lakh
of users can work together. In these large servers data is served in an evenly manner which
help in multiplying of data in the form of various copies. This leads to savage of data even in
the time of failure it can be easily detected and data can be saved (Fraillon et.all, 2020).
Key Characteristics
 Cost- With the emergence of cloud computing, it has greatly reduced the capital
expenditure in companies for data management. It leads to lower cost and companies
are enjoying the benefits of it.

 Device and location independence- It enables users to reach systems with the help
of a web browser irrespective of their place or location and on what device they are
operating such as mobile, laptops and PCs.
 Multi-tenancy- It ensures sharing of information or resources and cost of
maintenance spread among a large number of users.
 Reliability- It leads to improvement in the failure of data with the help of multiple
identical sites which makes it desirable for business sustainability and success or
failure.
Applications
Cloud computing has various applications which helps them in serving large number of users.
Some cloud applications are as follows:
 Client- A cloud client is consists of computer various hardware and software
which is dependent on cloud computing for delivery of data required.
 Infrastructure- Cloud infrastructure such as infrastructure as a service is a supply
for computer configuration infrastructure.
 Platform- A cloud platform is known as a place where data or back up facility is
provided such as Platform as a service.
 Services- A cloud services include various products in the form of services and
solutions that are supplied and used by them in a period of time over the internet.
Advantages and disadvantages
Following are the advantages and disadvantages of cloud computing. These are
Advantages
 It helps in reducing the cost of computer needs for storing larger amount of data.
 It helps in improving the performance of computer with accessing of information
any time anywhere.
 It also helps in reducing the cost of software required to manage the large amount
of data in the system.
Disadvantages
 It does not work with the low speed of internet connections.
 It requires internet connections all the time for accessing and managing data form
cloud.
 The server can be slow leading to delay in work.
 It has a risk in the loss of stored data which leads to failure of businesses.
Online Security and Privacy
Online Security and privacy both are important in online world. Security helps to
secure your data and records while privacy helps to make it private from cyber cell, who

make fraud or online theft with innocent people. Now days the online fraud is common,
everyone is facing this type of problem. Suppose we have opened an account in bank and we
submit all the required documents. And the after opening your account the banker misuse the
data or documents which you have submitted, they share your data in market and the
unnecessary calls and messages with illegal links are used to come on users mobile and when
innocent user click that link and that link makes the user in trouble, his complete mobile is in
the control of that fraud person and after that there team can control the calls, messages,
installed mobile applications, mobile camera, gallery, contacts, means complete mobile
phone. They can call to any person, share your private photo and private data bank details,
contact number etc.That’s why while installing any other unknown source application our
mobile restrict user not to install and ask his permission to install it or not. In the same way
the fraud person makes a call and making some fraud stories or false commitment (Grand and
Clement, 2017).
Online securities includes internet security, data masking , encryption protect and
secure critical data, data security services, data privacy solutions, banking cyber security. So
online security is you should have safe environment on internet while getting security threats
from malware scams, phishing, hacking etc. Types of online security access control anti-
malware and anti-viruses software, data lose and prevention, email security and firewalls. So
how to be safe while online. You should keep your mail id and password safe, make sure
your antivirus is up to date, and use proper credential.
Privacy is one of the major challenges in this digital world. It is essential to ensure
complete safety and privacy of data transferred by business people. This can be observed
from the past issues of data hacking, security breakage and illegal invasion of intruders.
Privacy of information has become one of the major issue in this modern era of ICT. It has
been saved with the help of encrypted coding of data shared and stored online. It is done with
the help of using own servers to integrate data with online platforms. Security and privacy is
secured with the help of using difficult and encrypted passwords with keeping extra care from
third parties. Various third parties have been introduced who helps in breaking of important
information from fake authorisers. It is done with the help of one time passwords, scanning of
information etc. Privacy is one of the essential tasks for promoting business successes in this
digital world. It can be controlled with the help of encryption of data from various end to end
encryption companies. This helps in promoting success in achievement of security of data
from invaders and hackers (Gruber, 2017).
CONCLUSION
From the above report it can be concluded that Information and communication
technology is one of the vital source for business communication. It is used widely across the
world in the time of pandemic, Covid 19. It includes various traditional as well as modern
technologies which help in communicating with large number of people at a time. Video
conferencing is one of the most used platform as well as cloud computing which helps
businesses to conduct meetings and conduct businesses from home. Digital world has been
used at a rapid pace which requires knowledge of all the required skills to run successful

businesses. These skills include knowledge of various software and hardware, functionality
of digital platforms and their applications. Digital world has become the new revolution in
the business world which has helped them to achieve their business goals and objectives.
REFERENCES
Books and Journals
Belluzzo, R.C.B. and Rosetto, M., 2021. 21st Century Skills and Competences: Challenges
With a Focus in Information and Communication. In Role of Information Science in
a Complex Society (pp. 1-16). IGI Global.
Eaton, A., 2020. Elevating Real-World Learning: Two Cities' Efforts to Credential Real
World Skills through Digital Badges. Rennie Center for Education Research &
Policy.
Fraillon, J. et.all, 2020. Preparing for life in a digital world. Springer International
Publishing.
Grand-Clement, S., 2017. Digital Learning: Education and Skills in the Digital Age. RAND
Europe.
Gruber, H., 2017. Innovation, skills and investment: A digital industrial policy for
Europe. Economia e politica industriale, 44(3), pp.327-343.
Keeley, B. and Little, C., 2017. The State of the Worlds Children 2017: Children in a Digital
World. UNICEF. 3 United Nations Plaza, New York, NY 10017.
Sousa, M.J. and Rocha, Á., 2019. Digital learning: Developing skills for digital
transformation of organizations. Future Generation Computer Systems, 91, pp.327-
334.
Temelkova, M., 2018. Skills for digital leadership-Prerequisite for developing high-tech
economy. International Journal of Advanced Research in Management and Social
Sciences, 7(12), pp.50-74.
(Belluzzo and Rosetto, 2021)(Eaton, 2020)(Fraillon et.all, 2020)(Grand and Clement, 2017)
(Gruber, 2017)(Keeley and Little, 2017)(Sousa and Rocha, 2019)(Temelkova, 2018)