Essay Example on Tech Advances: Changing Lives for the Better

Over the years, development has been a critical pursuit of humanity (BohatALA, 2018). People are continually attempting to improve their daily lives by creating innovations. The most significant development in human history has been technology. Examples of technological developments that have been made so far include computers, the internet, mobile phones, and space flight. Developments in computer technology have had significant effects on different aspects of life. However, the impact that computers have had has either been negative or positive (BohatALA, 2018). This paper is an essay on the benefits of computers in our lives.

Is your time best spent reading someone else’s essay? Get a 100% original essay FROM A CERTIFIED WRITER!

Save 25%

One of the ways in which computers have benefited man's way of life is through improved Human Resource Management (HRM) (Rybinski & Tsay, 2017). Over the years, the role of computers in HRM has increased rapidly. Fundamental HRM functions such as performance evaluation and payrolls have undergone computerization in companies, learning institutions, and government offices. The reason why such HRM functions have been computerized is that they include information that needs to meet certain legal and financial obligations. The value that lies in the computerization of HRM activities includes less paper, cost savings, accurate data, and reduced manual systems (Rybinski & Tsay, 2017).

The concept of the paperless office has also led experts in HRM to computerize all HR reports so that managers can review and produce them in a more comfortable, quicker, and more accurate way (Rybinski & Tsay, 2017). In addition to improving HRM functions, computers have refined organizational decision-making. For instance, succession planning for executives and grading systems have been much more manageable. According to Rybinski and Tsay (2017), such an approach to organizational management leads to better decision quality and reduced operating costs.

Computer applications designed for the office setting have aided managers in correcting many decisions with minimum consequences (Rybinski & Tsay, 2017). For example, having an automated payroll and employee benefit dataset affects a large number of employee decisions every month. In institutions of higher learning, there are areas in which computer-aided HRM is developing fast. One of these areas is the automated processing of resumes. Another area is the automated scanning of online social networks for employable candidates (Rybinski & Tsay, 2017).

Computers have also benefited the healthcare sector in some ways. For instance, through computer technology, healthcare professionals have developed computer-assisted history-taking systems (CAHTS) (Pappas et al., 2017). Recording and maintaining the medical history of patients plays a critical role in the diagnosis and decision-making process. CAHTS helps healthcare practitioners in gathering data and informing a diagnosis and treatment plan. Through CAHTS, patients can also complete aspects of their medical history online before visiting the doctor. Also, online CAHTS help clinicians in the collection of data that can be used for screening programs (Pappas et al., 2017).

There are several applications of CAHTS. However, the systems have remained underused in clinical practice (Pappas et al., 2017). Comprehensive research on CAHTS shows that practitioners or patients in pre-consultation interviews can use the methods. When health professionals record patient data on CAHTS, they can access the information in case of an emergency. For example, when nurses respond to a crisis in the intensive care unit, they can pose questions that are automatically generated by the computer program. If the patients can respond, the nurses can direct them to answer further questions leading to a clinical diagnosis and management plan (Pappas et al., 2017).

CAHTS are instrumental in the healthcare field because they save time on documentation. Healthcare professionals often have limited time during consultations. For instance, studies have shown that in ambulatory practices, clinicians spend at least 20% of their time writing every day (Pappas et al., 2017). Also, CAHTS help in the collection of valid and more comprehensive information. Aside from this, CAHTS have aided in the delivery of care to people with special needs.

In education, computer technology has also influenced the learning system (BohatALA, 2018). One of the ways in which computers have impacted the learning system is in the management of students' information. In previous years, teachers and administrators used manual records. The records were either written by hand or typed using typewriters. The documents were then stored in paper format inside files. However, with the invention of computers, there have been significant improvements in the education sector. Currently, educators rarely find it difficult to manage data within their institutions. Also, students and teachers rarely encounter erroneous or missing data (BohatALA, 2018).

Computerized systems in learning institutions guard information against theft or manipulation (BohatALA, 2018). The retrieval of information in automated systems is also easy because educational records are centralized on given databases. Such an arrangement makes it easy for both educators and learners to access any information they require. The safety and confidentiality of the data stored on the databases are guaranteed through the generation of individual passwords. When online, the databases' security is heightened such that it is possible to observe anyone feeding false information. Also, using online systems, the management can back up the information on the databases (BohatALA, 2018).

Computers have also helped to facilitate learning by creating opportunities for distant learning. In the present day, more students are participating in online education than physical classroom lectures. Online learning, especially at the college and university level, has reduced tuition costs and other expenses such as travel and accommodation. Also, online education has enabled students to manage their time and freedom (BohatALA, 2018).

In the information technology (IT) industry, the leading development that has resulted from computer technology is cloud computing. Contemporary literature suggests that cloud computing provides a standard interface in the world wide web for users to utilize as a personal computer (Chen et al., 2016). In the business world, cloud computing has brought about significant benefits. First, cloud computing has reduced the cost of IT operations. Studies show that with the advent of cloud computing, businesses have been able to convert IT costs from capital expenditure to business expenses (Chen et al., 2016).

Second, cloud computing has enabled companies to improve the end-user experience by ensuring fast website speeds, ease of use, consistency, and flat designs. Also, cloud computing has allowed management groups in many companies to focus on their organizations' core competencies (Chen et al., 2016). The benefits that have resulted from such focus have been cost effectiveness, business agility, scalability, and accessibility. Existing research also shows that agility, flexibility, cost reduction, and integration have been essential benefits of cloud computing (Chen et al., 2016).

However, according to Chen et al. (2016), it is essential to note that when adopting cloud computing, companies should go beyond cost reduction benefits. Recent analyses have shown that the pay-per-use price of Amazon has grown more than the cost of buying servers elsewhere (Chen et al., 2016). As a result, Amazon has experienced a surge in its revenue due to the increased use of its servers. Therefore, it is evident that the pay on-demand option offered by cloud computing can be more profitable than cost reduction strategies (Chen et al., 2016).

Elmonem et al. (2017) also find that enterprises have significantly benefited from cloud computing. However, the authors focus on how Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems have been improved by cloud computing. ERP systems breakdown organizational information on materials, inventory, production, finance, human resources, sales, and marketing. The breakdown helps in improving the quality, communications, decision-making, productivity, and lead times aspects of an organization. These outcomes lead to better customer service, increased sales, market share, and profits (Elmonem et al., 2017).

Cloud computing enables ERP systems to become more active. The reason is that ERP systems used over the internet enhance e-commerce capabilities by fostering relationships with suppliers and partners, and customer portals (Elmonem et al., 2017). In addition to this, cloud ERP systems lower organizational upfront costs. The reduced costs result from the separation of enterprise location from computing resources. Hence, companies do not have to incur the fee of building a computing environment since they can access it over the internet. Also, enterprises can access cloud service providers (CSP) who operate cloud services (Elmonem et al., 2017).

Cloud ERP systems have also led to the rapid implementation of business processes (Elmonem et al., 2017). CSPs offer a wide range of solutions, which enterprises can choose from. Also, CSPs enable enterprises to choose between the solutions based on their business needs. The implementation process is, therefore, accelerated as a result of the favorable selection process. Cloud ERP systems also provide regular upgrades and updates and at a faster rate than traditional ERP applications. Other benefits associated with cloud ERP systems include improved usability, mobility accessibility, disaster recovery, cost transparency, and security standards (Elmonem et al., 2017).

Computers have not only improved operations in big companies and organizations. The effect of computer systems is apparent even in small businesses. For instance, McKenna (2016) views computer systems as an integral aspect of the car-wash business. In the modern economy, a fully-equipped car wash ought to have an up-to-date computer system that allows the business to run at maximum efficiency. However, the importance of computers applies to car-washes as well as any other car-care businesses (Mckenna, 2016).

According to Mckenna (2016), computers reduce costs associated with bookkeeping and accounting sheets. The recommended computer systems for such small businesses is a point-of-sale (POS) system. The benefits associated with the system is that it allows business owners to choose from an array of systems. Also, there are POS system distributors who help small business owners in making informed decisions based on their needs. Another benefit of having a POS system is that it in addition to aiding on-site monitoring of operations, it enables business owners to keep track of transactions while off-site (Mckenna, 2016).Within society, in general, computer science has had a positive impact (Flavin, 2018). Computer scientists have engaged themselves in direct applications that seek to address issues that people in society experience. For instance, in France, the government is encouraging technology startups intending to create solutions for the public. The approach allows computer scientists to identify societal problems and address them in the best way (Flavin, 2018). On the world wide web, there are sites like Taproot and DataKind, which computer scientists can utilize to work on global issues. Nonetheless, it is essential to note that there are indirect benefits associated with intervention by computer scientists. For example, charities can now streamline their regular donations (Flavin, 2018).

In addition to providing avenues for c...