GEMST: Topic 7 (IT IN THE WORKPLACE) manage Inventory, reduce costs,
and streamline supply Chain
operations.
INTRODUCTION TO IT IN THE
WORKPLACE WALMART’S IT PERSPECTIVE
Information Technology (IT) plays 1. Advanced Data Analytics: Walmart
a crucial role in Modern employs cutting-edge data analytics to
workplaces by monitor customer behavior, manage
• transforming business processes, inventory, and optimize store operations.
This helps in forecasting demand and
• improving productivity, and improving customer service.
• enabling digital workspaces. 2. Omnichannel Experience: The company
seamlessly integrates online and offline
A. Traditional Workspace
shopping experiences. Customers can
B. Modern Workspace shop online and pick up products at their
local store or have them delivered,
DEFINITION OF INFORMATION supported by an IT infrastructure that
TECHNOLOGY (IT) connects digital and physical channels.
IT involves using computers and 3. Retail Technology Innovations:
telecommunications to Store, Walmart leverages technologies such as
retrieve, and send information. artificial intelligence (AI), machine
THE IMPACT OF IT ON BUSINESS learning, and robotics. For instance, AI-
PROCESSES driven shelf scanners help maintain stock
levels and alert staff to restock items as
HOW IT TRANSFORMS BUSINESS needed.
PROCESSES
IT streamlines business processes
by enhancing Productivity,
improving data management, and 4. Cloud Computing: Walmart has
Enabling efficient operations. partnered with major cloud providers to
enhance its IT capabilities. This enables
the company to scale its IT infrastructure,
WALMART’S IT-DRIVEN ensuring robust e-commerce platforms
TRANSFORMATION and data processing capacities.
Walmart , one of the largest 5. Mobile and Digital Solutions: Walmart
multinational retail Corporation, offers a suite of mobile apps and digital
uses advanced IT systems to tools,such as Walmart Pay and Walmart
Plus, which enhance the shopping MICROSOFT TEAMS AND SLACK FOR
experience with features like digital COLLABORATION
payments,discounts, and personalized
Real-time collaboration tools
recommendations.
enable teams to work together
6. Cybersecurity: With extensive seamlessly, regardless of location.
customer data and a large digital
DIGITAL WORSPACES AND REMOTE
presence, Walmart invests heavily in
WORK
cybersecurity measures to protect data
and ensure a secure shopping Digital workspaces allow
environment. employees to access the tools and
resources needed to work
7. Automation and AI in Operations:
remotely.
Automated warehouses, self-checkout
machines, and predictive analytics for
inventory management are integral to DEFINITION OF A DIGITAL WORKSPACE
Walmart’s IT strategy to improve
efficiency and reduce operational costs. A virtual environment that
provides employees with access to
necessary tools, data, and
resources to work remotely.
STREAMLINING OPERATIONS WITH IT
REMOTE WORK TECHNOLOGIES
Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP)
and Customer Relationship Technologies like VPNs and Cloud
Management (CRM) systems allow storage (e.g. Google Drive,
businesses to manage operations Dropbox) ensure secure remote
more efficiently. access to company resources.
DATA MANAGEMENT AND CLOUD BENEFITS OF DIGITAL WORKSPACES
STORAGE
Digital workspaces offer:
Cloud services like AWS and
• flexibility,
Google Cloud offer scalable and
secure solutions for data storage. • reduce operational costs, and
• provide access to a global talent
IMPROVED COMMUNICATION WITH IT pool.
Email, instant messaging, and
video conferencing tools enhance
both internal and external CHALLENGES OF REMOTE WORK
communication.
Challenges include:
• communication gaps, 2. Automating Repetitive Tasks:
Automates Administrative and routine
• cybersecurity risks, and
processes, freeing up employees for
• employee isolation. higher-value work.
3. Customer Service: AI-powered
TOOLS FOR DIGITAL WORKSPACES chatbots handle customer inquiries and
support, providing quick and efficient
• Tools like Zoom, Google responses.
Workspace, and Trello
4. Personalized Marketing: AI
• support video conferencing, Customizes marketing campaigns and
collaboration, and project management. helps with lead scoring to improve sales
strategies.
5. Human Resources Automation:
AUTOMATION AND A I IN THE Screens resumes, assists in recruitment,
WORKPLACE and tracks employee performance.
Automation reduces manual tasks 6. Cybersecurity: Detects anomalies
and enhances efficiency in and potential threats, enhancing security
business processes. measures.
7. Process Optimization: Streamlines
ROBOTIC PROCESS AUTOMATION (RPA) operations through workflow automation
and business process improvements.
RPA uses software robots to
automate repetitive tasks such as 8. IT Support and System
data entry and customer service. Monitoring: Monitors IT infrastructure for
issues, providing proactive solutions.
ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE (AI) IN THE
WORKPLACE AI IN DECISION-MAKING AND ANALYTICS
AI simulates human intelligence AI-powered tools such as
and helps in tasks like learning, predictive analytics assist in data-
problem-solving, and decision- driven decision-making.
making like in the following tasks.
1. Data Analysis and Insights: AI
processes large datasets, identifies trends,
and provides actionable insights for data-
driven decisions.
1. Personalized Marketing:
Predictive analytics helps tailor
marketing strategies by
anticipating customer preferences GEMST: TOPIC 8
and behavior, leading to more
effective campaigns and increased E-Learning and Education Technologies
customer satisfaction.
The Role of IT in modern Education
IT has revolutionized education by
2. Customer Retention: Companies enhancing accessibility,
can use predictive insights to personalization, and collaboration.
identify customers at risk of
Key areas impacted:
leaving and take preventive
measures to improve engagement - Learning methodologies
and retention.
- Classroom interaction
3. Sales Forecasting: Predictive
models help sales teams project - Resource access and distribution.
future sales, identify high-value
leads, and prioritize efforts,
improving conversion rates and Evolution of Educational Technology
revenue. From chalkboards to interactive
4. Dynamic Pricing: Businesses can whiteboards and from textbooks
use predictive analytics to set to e-books, IT has transformed the
prices based on market trends, way students access and engage
demand, and competitive analysis with information.
to maximize profits.
Key IT Tools in Education
Examples:
CHATBOTS FOR CUSTOMER SERVICE
- Interactive whiteboards
Chatbots provide 24/7 customer
service by automating responses - Tablets and Chromebooks
to common queries.
- Online classrooms and projectors
These tools support blended
IMPACT OF AUTOMATION AND AI ON
learning and real-time feedback.
JOBS
Automation and AI may displace
jobs but create new opportunities
in tech management and
Impact on Teaching Methods
upskilling.
Teachers use flipped classrooms, 1. LMS (Learning Management
blended learning, and multimedia System)
resources. 2. MOOCs (Massive Open Online
Example: Assign video lectures as Courses
homework and use class time for 3. Collaboration and assessment
discussions. tools.
Student Engagement and Interaction Learning Management Systems (LMS)
1. Gamification, virtual labs, and LMS platforms manage course
simulations: content and assessments.
2. Gamification: Kahoot Examples:
3. Virtual Labs: Labster 1. Moodle: Open-source,
These enhance engagement customizable
through interactive and immersive 2. Blackboard: Used in higher
learning. education for course management.
Personalized Learning MOOCs
Adaptive learning technologies MOOCs provide accessible online
adjust content based on student courses to anyone.
performance. Examples:
Example: Platforms like DreamBox 1. Coursera: Partners with
provide customized math universities for professional
exercises. certificates
2. edX: Courses from Harvard and
Enhanced Communication
MIT.
Communication tools like
discussion forums, video Video-Based Learning
conferencing, and instant
messaging bridge gaps in online Examples:
and blended classrooms. 1. Khan Academy: Free educational
videos.
E-Learning Platforms and Tools 2. YouTube Edu: Platform for learning
E-Learning Platforms Overview across subjects
These allow on-demand access to
1. Various e-learning platforms instructional videos.
enable remote learning, content
management, and interactive Collaboration Tools
classrooms. Tools for virtual collaboration
Types include: include:
1. Google Classroom: Facilitates Tech Dependency
assignments and discussions
Over-reliance on tech can hinder skills
2. Zoom: Used for video classes,
like problem-solving and critical
breakout rooms. thinking.
Digital Whiteboards
Balance with offline activities is
Examples: essential.
1. Miro: Online whiteboard for
collaboration Data Privacy and Security
2. Microsoft Whiteboard: Integrated
with MS Teams Concerns over student data
Used for brainstorming and collection. Compliance with data
interactive sessions protection policies is crucial for
schools and ed-tech platforms.
Assessment Tools
Tools for interactive assessments: Opportunities in Digital Education
1. Kahoot: Live quizzes
2. Socrative: Quick assessments with Digital education enables:
real-time feedback. 1. Personalized learning: Adaptive tools
2. Global learning: Cross-cultural
collaboration
Analytics and Progress Tracking 3. Flexibility: Self-paced learning.
Analytics tools track student progress, Personalized Learning Opportunities
helping teachers adjust instruction
accordingly. Tools adapt to individual needs, such
Examples: Learning analytics within as adaptive quizzes and progress-
LMS Platforms based challenges.
Challenges in Digital Education Global Classrooms
Challenges include: E-learning connects students
1. Digital divide: Unequal access to worldwide, promoting diverse
technology perspectives and collaboration on
2. Tech dependency: Can impact critical projects.
thinking skills
3. Data security: Risks in storing
sensitive data.
Digital Divide
Affects students without reliable
internet or devices, impacting their
ability to engage fully in e-learning.
