What Methods are used for electronic communication channels?

Answer 1

Fax - Fax uses the public telephone system as a way of delivering paper documents from one place to another, for situations where a hard copy isn't essential. This can be used for business to business communication.

email - E-mail has become the primary means for delivering short text messages within organisations that are networked. E-mail between organisations is has become more common and this method is increasingly take the place of fax, particularly as whole documents can be sent as e-mail attachments. E-mail provides many cost advantages when compared with the use of paper or the telephone. This can be used for staff to staff, staff to customer and customer to staff communication.

Telephone/ Mobiles - Phones are universal and, with the advent of voice mail and mobile phones, it is now possible to reach people practically anytime, anywhere. This can be used for staff to staff communication.

Video Conferencing - Video conferencing uses phone lines to transmit video as well as sound, between two or more groups. Because cameras, microphones, audio playback and special software are required, video conferencing is used only infrequently and on specially-provided workstations. However, as networks become more powerful and the machinery becomes less expensive, it is possible that this will eventually be available to everyone. This can be used for staff to staff communication.

Intranet - An intranet uses the same technology as the internet, but operates within the confines of a single organisation. Normally an intranet is used to deliver text and images. Information is much less expensive to distribute and maintain with an intranet than with paper copies. This can be used for staff to staff communication.