Exploring New and Emerging Digital Technologies

Overview

Framework:
RQF
Level:
Level 2
Unit No:
M/618/3683
Credits:
3
Guided learning hours:
24 hours

Aim

Learners will explore new and emerging technologies and how they have influenced business operations and are used to meet business needs.

Unit Learning Outcomes

1

Know about new and emerging digital technologies.

  • Current and emerging digital technologies: mobile technology, intelligent computing, Internet of Things (IoT) and cloud technology and how different industries such as retail, banking, entertainment use them to meet business objectives.
  • Internet of Things (IoT): connecting devices over the internet, consumer usage, enterprise deployment, online connectivity, radio-frequency identification (RFID), near field communication (NFC), development of wearable technology (smart watches, smart glasses, smart technologies).

Applications for current and emerging digital technologies:

  • Lifestyle and health: wearable technology, mobile devices, hoverboards, ebikes, driverless cars and trains, medical diagnosis/procedures.
  • Communication: 5G networks, increasing bandwidth, biometric recognition, serverless computing, blockchain, SD WAN (software-defined networking), internet protocols (IPv6).
  • Cloud technology: Software as a Service (SaaS), Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS), Platform as a Service (PaaS), Data as a Service (DaaS).
  • Artificial intelligence: smart devices, robots (used in the motor/manufacturing industry, retail, telehealth), artificial neural networks used in the finance industry to detect fraud.
  • Virtual reality (VR): use of gaming technology in medicine, car and construction industry, aviation.
  • Augmented reality (AR): retail, medical, education, gaming.
  • Augmented analytics for business intelligence/applications.
  • 3D and 4D printing for home and business.
  • Use of drones: military, surveillance, weather, pilot school, agriculture, network rail (field maintenance).
  • Use of social media and vlogs in organisations.

Assessment Criteria

  • 1.1

    Outline different new and emerging digital technologies.

2

Understand how new and emerging digital technologies are used.

  • Business objectives: marketing, data capture and analysis, staff monitoring and support, customer support and service, product improvement, communicate/collaborate.
  • Organisations use technology based on: business type (product, service), needs and/or benefits of the customers/clients, hardware/software/network requirements, security issues.
  • Invest: improve productivity, meet business goals, improve efficiency, increase cost-effectiveness, achieve increased growth, for innovation, improve agility and competitiveness, for global communication, increase promotion and sales, a wider consumer reach, providing instant customer service, as part of the digital strategy/digital policies or business plan, feedback from stakeholders, customers, employees.
  • Benefits: improved efficiency, increased sales/profit, increased productivity, reduction in wasted time, reduction in costs, improved image/brand.
  • Drawbacks: change management (training, transition from existing to new technology), risk of loss of service/data, ethical considerations, consultation with stakeholders, data ownership, impacts on employees, data management and access, (privacy, security of data).
  • Legal and ethical implications: data security, personal security, online security, computer misuse, legislation (data protection, copyright, patents), tax avoidance, digital currency, tracking of goods and people.
  • Particular sector: for example, creative, IT, finance, machining and manufacturing, marketing etc.

Assessment Criteria

  • 2.1

    Explain personal and business uses of new and emerging technologies.

  • 2.2

    Explain the costs, risks and benefits to organisations when investing in new and emerging digital technologies.

  • 2.3

    Explain the impact of new and emerging digital technologies on a particular sector.