Essay Sample on Technology in Public Service

Introduction

Over the last three decades, technology has significantly altered how employees go about their duties at the workplace. Technology may be described as a collection of knowledge, skills, techniques, methods and processes which are widely used in the production of goods and services to accomplish specific objectives (Lee, Kayser, Gammon, & Berntsen, 2018). For instance, technological developments such as the internet have changed how workers in public service communicate and carry out their duties daily. Although there are many risks associated with technology, technological tools such as the internet, laptops, and mobile telephony have brought many benefits to workers, injecting greater efficiency in the delivery of public services

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Individual Technology Tools used by Mobile Workers

A smartphone is a tool used for particular technology which mobile workers need on the go. They are crucial in assessing core corporate resources. The primary goal of mobile technology in the public sector is to improve the performance of allocated meant to service delivery (Park 2017). Through special features enabling remote communication, smartphones offer the public service workers the opportunity to render their services with little interaction with the persons seeking their help using technological enhancements such as apps and social media.

Laptops also play a critical role in enabling mobile workers to deliver on their expectations. According to Hayes and Kotwica (2013), smartphones and laptops are closely related as a result of the relationship of tasks they both perform. For instance, the two gadgets support the WI-FI network technologies; hence a mobile can access all the materials needed for work. This can be actualized by taking all the required resources for work, and where there is little network connection, the laptop can work by utilizing the hotspot advantage of the smartphone. A laptop has a physical field which can enable the mobile workers to communicate extensively and also has a big storage space which can support smartphones while out of the usual work station.

Organizational Information Technology Tools

One of the organizational information tools is the virtual private network. This is a type of programming that is used to create an encrypted connection in the places where there is a less secure network. This programme works by using the shared public infrastructure while in the same instance maintaining privacy through specific security procedures (Hengeveld, 2016). According to Hengeveld (2016), these information tools have been used to provide the main branch employees with a cheap and safe way to access information. Remote access and site-to-site VPNs are commonly used.

Another organization information tool is the file server in this a computer is attached to wireless network connection which offers information about the stored computer files like sound, video, texts and images. It plays the role of the storage and retrieving the data while the overall computations are carried out by the workstations (Park, 2017). That is, the tool allows mobile workers to access separately stored files, suggesting that working from office may not be necessary. What is critical is file access which enables workers to carry out their duties remotely.

Efficiency, Benefits and Risks of Each Tool

The tool can also be used to access all the business files from one central location and lets only the controller access the organisation, so there is very minimal chance for the organization information to be leaked to the competitors. Further, small sized business organizations need this tool for data security and back up (Park, 2017). This is an area that supports a significant portion of the economy and, therefore, the ability of public workers to assist promptly is of great benefit.

The use of smartphones enables government employees to address citizen complaints promptly at a reasonable cost of time and resources. With the help of smartphones, front-line workers do more under shrinking workforces and overstretched budgets. They allow them to execute their duties better and quickly because there are no longer limited by location or time. As such, mobile workers field worker such as human services caseworkers and law enforcement officers can operate as truly mobile workers for the best interest of the citizens (Eggers & Jaffe, 2013). For instance, medical officers use smartphones to attend to health emergency cases among their patients, and this is often done due to effective communication. As McCanne and Martin (2018) find the use of smartphones in the workplace improves customer services because online provider customer communication channels are greatly enhanced.

A virtual private network is very efficient in securing business connectivity and offers secure access to remote partners and employees. This secure network is essential in providing connectivity to the workplace network while working at their convenient location or home. The virtual private network offers a higher level of network security compared to other remote methods of communication (Haddon, 2016).

The risk associated with smartphones, laptops and other tools is that they pose a risk to data of citizens. The risk is likely to lead to citizens data being compromised. For instance, a client may divulge information online innocently, but this could be used to commit fraudulent activities. Besides, there is the risk of workers not concentrating on their work as they can do when in office settings because there are few disruptions at work compared to remote sites.

Less or More Efficient?

The individual and organizational information technology tools make organizations more efficient. For instance, it makes government interaction with citizen easier and reduced amount of time and money is spent. For example, the use of laptops and smartphones in Florida among public health workers has been shown to reduce the time and cost of foster care significantly. At the same, studies indicate that adoption of laptops has the potential to boost productivity by 45 percent. This means that these technologies not only reduce cost but also enhance the productivity of mobile workers. Thus, it can be said that they are significantly crucial to mobile workers.

Conclusion

The individual and organizational information technology tools are very efficient in the workplaces. For example, smartphones and laptops are useful for the work being done by mobile workers. In addition, the organizational information tools like virtual private network provide the secure network in the workplaces hence ensuring efficient work being done. The file server is also essential because it allows access to the stored information in the computer systems. Whereas risks of these technologies exist, their adoption cannot be avoided as the quality and prompt of service matter significantly in the provision of service to the citizens.

References

Eggers, W. D., & Jaffe, J. (2013). Gov on the go. Retrieved from https://www2.deloitte.com/insights/us/en/industry/public-sector/gov-on-the-go.html

Haddon, L. (2016). The social dynamics of information and communication technology. Routledge. https://www.taylorfrancis.com/books/9781317015765

Hayes, B., & Kotwica, K. (2013). Bring your own device (BYOD) to work: Trend report. Newnes.

Hengeveld, T. A. (2016). U.S. Patent No. 9,300,570. Washington, DC: U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. https://www.uspto.gov/sites/default/files/documents/fy18pbr.pdf

Lee, E., Kayser, L., Gammon, D., & Berntsen, G. R. (2018). Engaging and empowering citizens with long-term conditions: How to define personal goals and how to support the goal achievement with technology?. International Journal of Integrated Care, 18(s2). 10.5334/ijic.s2036

McCanne, S., Parab, N., & Martin, J. (2018). U.S. Patent No. 9,930,099. Washington, DC: U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.

Park, S., & Tussyadiah, I. P. (2017). Multidimensional facets of perceived risk in mobile travel booking. Journal of Travel Research, 56(7), 854-867. https://doi.org/10.1177%2F0047287516675062