This film explains how computers came out of the air-conditioned rooms of the 1970s and transformed business and working life. Using case studies of a travel agent, a newspaper and an internet-only business, the film asks how dependent we’re becoming on this revolutionary technology. (DVD includes a wealth of extras.)
Duration: 30 minsYear: 2009DVD - VHSSupport Booklets: Printed Book e-Book
How has information and communications technology changed the world of commerce and industry? THE OLD DAYS: In the 1970s office work was done with typewriters and paper and correcting fluid. Typing pools took days to produce letters. Computers were giant devices in air-conditioned rooms guarded by the technology "priests". ENTER THE MICRO: Then in the 1980s computers got smaller and began to appear on people's desks. For the first time ordinary office workers had access to the technology. Word processing made a huge impact on office work, doing away with the need for correcting fluid. Typing pools disappeared. A major breakthrough was the launch of the IBM Personal Computer in 1981. IMPACT ON WORK: But as the new technology gathers pace, whole industries and professions vanish. Simon Steele, a senior sub-editor on the Independent describes how computers have changed his working life. Work which was once based on paper is now all done on a computer screen. But there's a price to pay for the new efficiency: repetitive strain injury, eye strain and stress.
THE INTERNET: The internet's origins lie in Arpanet and the space race between the US and the USSR. But in a short time the internet became a world wide web connecting computers across the world. The "dot-com bubble" burst -- but e-commerce took off. A travel agent demonstrates the massive impact ICT has had on his business. Booking a holiday would once have taken him four days. Now takes him four and a half minutes. NEW OPPORTUNITIES: The internet has also led to the creation of millions of new businesses. Twenty-year old Kadriye Balic now sells fair-traded products all over the world from home via an internet-only business called Karma Trading Co. Computers bring new efficiency - but also computer disasters.WHO BENEFITS? Automated factories have destroyed millions of jobs - but at the same time companies are using cheap labour in countries like China. The technology was supposed to lead to the "paperless office". In reality there's more paper than ever before. The technology means more data about us is recorded than on the past - but how safe is that data? The ICT industry has to continually sell us newer and newer technology and we're becoming more and more dependent on it. So who's really benefiting?
Duration: 30 minsYear: 2009DVD - VHS
Behind the Victorian façade of the Dickens World theme park state-of-the-art systems are at work. You might not see them, but without them Dickens World wouldn't have a business.It all starts at the front desk with a "point of sale terminal". This runs Gamma software specially designed for leisure attractions. More than simply a source of tickets, the system also collects valuable management information.Then when you get inside you find a 4D cinema complete with 3D pictures and real gusts of wind. There's a haunted house complete with ghosts, too, and both attractions are controlled by computers.Dickens and other characters make appearances - courtesy of computer-controlled animatronics.
But the star attraction is the Great Expectations boat ride. Computer-linked sensors play a key role in making sure the boats are kept far enough part.The theme park's restaurant and shop also depend on computers, with the system telling them when to reorder and what the most popular purchases are.But perhaps the most vital information Dickens World's systems collect is marketing information - the facts it needs to save itself from financial disaster.
Duration: 28 minsYear: 2008DVD - VHS
Duration: 34 minsYear: 2006DVD - VHSSupport Booklet: Printed Book
Local councils are often huge organisations, providing a wide variety of services, from running libraries to keeping the roads free of ice. Critical to their operation are information systems. This film visits Cornwall County Council to explore how five of these information systems work.ADMINISTRATION: Councils are vast bureaucracies generating mountains of information. Storing this in a way that people who need it can access it quickly is a major systems challenge which goes to the heart of local government efficiency. Cornwall Council is developing a system called ERDMS - Electronic Document Report Management System. Freedom of information and data protection are key considerations in the system.TRANSPORT: The council has to make sure the roads don't get dangerously icy by knowing what the weather's going to do and gritting them at the right time. To help them in this they use a system called Roadcast, which is linked to sensors dotted throughout the county. Another system -- the pavement management system -- allows them to monitor the road network and helps them decide when roads need resurfacing.WEBSITE: The council's old website was hard to use - each department of the council designed their own pages and there was little overall control of how the website looked or how users found their way round it.
So now they've redesigned and rebuilt the site, and introduced new software which means people have to stick to a single standard style. But it hasn't been easy to persuade staff of the value of a more standardised approach.CARE MANAGEMENT: Another responsibility of the council is to offer care to people who are unable to look themselves - for example, the elderly or handicapped. Cornwall Council has a care management system which is designed to identify the needs of people being offered and to highlight problems which have to be addressed. Their aim is to have a single assessment system, so that all the different people involved in looking after someone can co-ordinate their efforts. PERFORMANCE INDICATORS: One of the big challenges facing local government is to prove their spending tax-payers money well. Councils are using performance indicators to try to measure how well they're doing - and in Cornwall these performance indicators are brought together in a single system. The idea is that this will help them highlight areas where they're falling down they can then take action to improve things. But are they measuring the right things?
Duration: 34 minsYear: 2006DVD - VHSSupport Booklet
What the personnel manager of a Sainsbury’s supermarket does. A computer system is central to her job.
Duration: 26 minsYear: 2006DVD - VHSSupport Booklets: Printed Book e-Book
Jenny Wooledge has one of the most important jobs in a supermarket -- personnel manager. Crucial to her job is a computer system. This film tells the story of what she does in Sainsbury’s, Thanet branch.RECRUITMENT:First you need to get the workers to manager. Sainsbury’s goes in for what’s called “reality recruitment”. Candidates for jobs are given ten minutes to check out the store and then questioned about what they think of it. They’re also given typical supermarket scenarios and asked how they’d handle them. KEEPING AN EYE ON THEM: Once someone’s recruited to Sainsbury’s, they’re assigned to a particular department. Here a manager is supposed to keep an eye on them – and it’s Jenny’s job to keep an eye on the managers! Control self-assessments and mentoring are two methods Jenny uses to monitor managers’ performance and at the same time get feedback on their problems.SCHEDULING: The schedule is the plan which says who’s going to be doing what and when. It’s central to the supermarket’s drive to squeeze their staff’s efforts for maximum efficiency. Producing the schedule is maybe the most important part of Jenny’s job -- and for this, she turns to her computer.WORKBRAIN: Jenny uses a number of information systems – such as Workbrain. Everyone who works in the supermarket has a record on Workbrain. Workbrain knows what skills staff have, when they’re due holidays and their reasons for being off-sick. But the most important thing Workbrain knows about staff is exactly when they’re due to be working.THE FORECAST: Jenny has to match the staff available with the work coming through the door. The problem with this is that sometimes they’re busy, sometimes not so busy. Jenny has to make sure she doesn’t have too many or too few staff on hand on any particular day.
So they have to do a FORECAST of how busy they’re going to be -- based on the business going through the checkouts…. WORKING TO BUDGET: The system tells them how many hours of staff time they’ll need. But that doesn’t mean they can actually HAVE those hours. They have to work to a budget laid down by head office -- and Jenny often has to make cuts . Basically this means looking at the different departments, seeing how many hours they need in theory -- and making cuts where she thinks she can get away with it.THE PEOPLE JUGGLING ACT: The nitty-gritty of scheduling work begins as Jenny, in consultation with the departmental managers, changes people’s working hours -- and maybe even what they do -- to meet the changing workload. It’s a kind of juggling act – a people juggling act in which the computer system plays a key part. TROUBLE-SHOOTING: In the final analysis, Jenny’s job, as personnel manager, is a trouble-shooter. She has to solve ALL and ANY people problems Sainsbury’s has. As part of what she calls an “open and honest” culture, the store goes in for what’s called “360 degree feedback.” In other words staff don’t just have to TAKE criticism from their bosses, they can give it back. PEOPLE WITH PROBLEMS: But not EVERYONE seems to get their problems solved – some staff complain about being too cold and the checkouts are often under-staffed. One checkout operator, Lucy, was so fed up with the way she was treated by Sainsbury’s managers that she quit.THE DISMISSAL: Probably the toughest problem a personnel manager has to deal with is staff who break the rules. It’s the part of her job Jenny says she likes the least. She and the store manager sack a member of staff for stealing.
Duration: 26 minsYear: 2006DVD - VHS
It’s panto time at the Marlowe Theatre, Canterbury. But its information systems are no joke – computers control everything from ticketing to calculating ice cream sales.
Duration: 24 minsYear: 2004DVD - VHSSupport Booklet: Printed Book
A star from Eastenders, Toyah and a load of corny gags – the pantomime at the Marlowe Theatre has the lot. But how do their information systems work?TICKETING: The computerised ticketing system reserves you a seat and even warns if there's bad language in the show. But the real prize is online booking via the Internet.MARKETING: The address of everyone who buys a ticket goes into the theatre's database - crucial for mailshots and targeted marketing.
FINANCE: Monitoring finance is the job of theatre director Mark. His spreadsheets not only keep tabs on how the panto's doing but also ice cream sales.LIGHTING: Without lights the show can't go on. And these days without a computer system the theatre can't manage the lights. But what happens if the system goes phut?
Duration: 24 minsYear: 2004DVD - VHSSupport Booklet
Banks rely on information systems but how do they work? Dave Nellist investigates.
Duration: 30 minsYear: 2003DVD - VHSSupport Booklet: Printed Book
Banks rely on information systems but how do they work? Dave Nellist investigates. He pays a cheque into his bank. It enters the clearing system, becomes a piece of data and finally allows him to draw out cash to buy his mum a present. Every stage in the process involves systems and the video explains how they work.EFTPOS, BACS, home banking, the smart card - information technology is changing every aspect of the way we handle money. But with so much business being done electronically now, security is a big issue.
The Data Protection Act gives you a right to know what's in the computers, but there are loopholes and civil liberties are at risk. Are banks getting too powerful?Customers' feedback: “Very easy to follow. Good to use as teaching material.” Eric Forester, Bishopsbriggs High School.“Content was excellent - it covered all areas. Presentation was ideal.” J G Stewart, Portobello High School.
Duration: 30 minsYear: 2003DVD - VHSSupport Booklet
Theme parks set out to scare and excite us. But behind the fun, information systems are at work. What are they? This film takes us behind the scenes at Drayton Manor Park.
Duration: 23 minsYear: 2003DVD - VHSSupport Booklet: Printed Book
Theme parks set out to scare and excite us. But behind the fun, information systems are at work. What are they? This film takes us behind the scenes at Drayton Manor Park.TICKETING: The theme park used to issue admission tickets using adapted bus ticket machines. Now a computerised system gives them much more customer information.THE HAUNTING: A trip around a haunted house climaxes in horror. Behind the scenes computers control every step of your spooky experience.STOCK CONTROL: The park makes more money from selling you food than the price you pay for going on rides. A stock control system monitors every sale they make.SENSORS & CONTROL: With the Storm Force 10 water ride sensors check where boats are, feed the data back to a central computer and the boats are electronically controlled to prevent crashes happening.
TECHNOLOGY OF TERROR! The Internet and computer controlled turnstiles are bringing change to the theme park, but even more important are the bigger - and more terrifying - rides computers now enable the theme park to operate.Customers' feedback: “I really loved it. Very, very useful.” I Wilson, Bulmershe School.“Went down well with the class, kept them interested.” C Bytheway, Bishopston Comprehensive.“Excellent preparation for the GSCE exam. Ideal.” R A Parker, Lady Manners School, Bakewell.
Duration: 23 minsYear: 2003DVD - VHSSupport Booklet
When Marks & Spencer sell out of a product, a whole series of information systems come into play to re-stock its shelves. This film explains how the technology works and questions the impact on the environment.
Duration: 25 minsYear: 2002DVD - VHSSupport Booklets: Printed Book e-Book
Bar-codes, electronic point sale systems, hand-held terminals… information technology has transformed UK retailing.At Marks & Spencer's IT centre, mainframe computers monitor what's been sold in all its stores and order up new stock.Computers control every step of the M&S national distribution system. And IT isn't confined to inside the supermarket, but also links it to suppliers. We visit one of M&S's suppliers where computers also
control the whole manufacturing process.M&S has an Internet-based shopping system so you can even buy from the comfort of your home.IT makes superstores more efficient and powerful - but what about the impact on the environment and smaller shops?Customers' feedback: “Extremely impressed. I would definitely recommend TV Choice to other schools and colleges.” S Ellis, Head of ICT, Shiplake College.
Duration: 25 minsYear: 2002DVD - VHSSupport Booklet
Dave Nellist presents a lively explanation of accounting systems and what they do in companies ranging from a small business to a huge retail group.
Duration: 29 minsYear: 2002DVD - VHSSupport Booklet: Printed Book
Dave Nellist presents a lively explanation of accounting systems and what they do.Bill Brookman Productions is a small street-theatre company. They use Sage software for their accounts. The basic elements of sales, purchase and nominal ledgers are explained, including invoicing.The film also looks at the accounting systems at Clinton Cards and the huge Arcadia Group, owners of several big high street retail chains.
Big as they are, the same principles apply to these firms just as much as to small businesses. The film also includes a brief history of accounting systems, and explanation of double-entry book-keeping and the important role of accounting systems in providing management information.Customers' feedback: “Very good for both beginners and advanced students. Definitely worth buying.” Lawrence Britt, City College Norwich.
Duration: 29 minsYear: 2002DVD - VHSSupport Booklet
How IT has brought radical change to the travel business, focussing on tour operator Sunvil Travel and Internet-based travel agency Expedia.
Duration: 25 minsYear: 2002DVD - VHSSupport Booklet: Printed Book
The film charts the radical changes that IT has brought, through the experience of tour operator Sunvil Travel and Internet-based travel agency Expedia.While Sunvil uses computers to put its customers' holidays together, Expedia does everything on the web. Its website allows you to book your hotel room or seat on a plane with “e-tickets”, so you don't need a physical ticket - you rely on IT.
What does the future hold - increasing standardisation of holidays and complete elimination of the human element? What about the effect on holiday destinations?Customers' feedback: “A good introduction to e-commerce.” R J Verrall, Sussex University.
A guest books into a large hotel. Information systems are at work throughout her stay -- from reserving her room to controlling its temperature.
Duration: 27 minsYear: 2000DVD - VHSSupport Booklet: Printed Book
This demonstrates the systems in a large hotel. The hotel's booking system shows the rooms available and helps maximise income from the rooms, discounting prices when things are quiet. For each guest the system records a guest history, with details of their likes and dislikes.When a guest feels a room is too hot, staff use a building management system to turn down the temperature.
A housekeeping system records details of a defective lamp to be reported for repair. But while all these different systems bring efficiency, do they really improve the quality of a guest's stay? Or is it all a bit too impersonal?Customers' feedback: “Good video showing many aspects of the use of information technology.” D Jones, The Chafford School.
Duration: 27 minsYear: 2000DVD - VHSSupport Booklet
How information systems are used in the huge Film Works multiplex in Manchester and the much smaller “art house” Gate cinema in London.
How do cinemas use information technology? We compare two very different examples.The huge Film Works multiplex, in Manchester, has its own web-site. The much smaller Gate cinema, in London, uses e-mails to keep in touch with its customers but otherwise has much more limited IT.The Gate still issues tickets manually, while in the Film Works customers can book and pay for their seats automatically over the phone.
Digital technology promises to revolutionise the showing of films. Movies will be sent as data files on disks or over satellite links. But how will the smaller cinemas cope?Customers' feedback: “Probably the best video we show in ICT.” Richard Wooley, Heatfield Community College.
TV Choice’s first film about Guildford Spectrum leisure complex and the information systems on which it depends.
Duration: 26 minsYear: 1993DVD - VHSSupport Booklet: Printed Book
TV Choice’s first film about Guildford Spectrum leisure complex and the information systems on which it depends. Computers are used in ticketing, support marketing and finance. They help keep the swimming pool warm and the ice-rink cold. The systems are explained clearly and simply by the staff who use them.Customers’ feedback: “A good quality video. Shows students what can be achieved with information technology.”
Duration: 26 minsYear: 1993DVD - VHSSupport Booklet
How are information systems used in a leisure centre? This film revisits the Guildford Spectrum complex and explores how its systems have developed and changed since 1993.
Duration: 26 minsYear: 2004DVD - VHSSupport Booklet: Printed Book
This is a completely new film which updates the original Systems For Leisure (TV Choice 1993), but featuring the same leisure complex, Guildford Spectrum - still the UK's largest leisure centre.TICKETS PLEASE: In 2002 Spectrum changed over to a new ticketing system called TOREX. What benefits does it offer? What were the problems in changing over?FINANCIAL: TOREX feeds into the centre's financial systems. Control of money in and out of the business is as vital as ever. Also - are they making a profit? MARKETING: Spectrum now uses a marketing research system called SPSS, which allows them to store information on customers and target them for specific promotions.
E-mail is now a major marketing tool: it was non-existent in 1993. Also, the Internet, and advances in desktop publishing, have had a major impact on their marketing.BUILDING MANAGEMENT: As in 1993, controlling the heating and air conditioning systems are vital for customer satisfaction and minimising costs. We explain developments in this area.Customers' feedback: “Useful … gets students thinking about the systems around them in an everyday context.” ICT Dept, Hall Cross School.
Duration: 26 minsYear: 2004DVD - VHSSupport Booklet
How three US companies are using the Internet in their business.
Duration: 25 minsYear: 1999DVD - VHSSupport Booklet: Printed Book
The film features case studies of three US companies relying on the Internet to conduct their business. RETAILING: CDnow is a record shop - without a shop. They offer customers a vast selection of CDs which they can buy via the Internet. CDnow doesn't have to hold any stock - this is stored by wholesalers who also supply the goods when customers order them.CUSTOMER SERVICE: Federal Express, one of the world's most well-known delivery companies, have for some time used computers to keep track on where packages are, but the Internet now means customers can get this information, too.BANKING: Security First Network Bank claims to provide the most advanced model for how to provide financial services online.
Their customers can do all their business electronically over the Internet - and they can access their accounts from anywhere in the world.But there are still problems and uncertainties with the Internet's use in business. For example, many are worried about security aspects: how safe is it really to buy things over the Internet? And who in the final analysis is going to benefit most? Will it be big, predominantly American companies? Will the Internet end up extending the power of the world's richest economy?Customers' feedback: “Very useful and relevant.” Alison Purdue, Barnfield. College.
Duration: 25 minsYear: 1999DVD - VHSSupport Booklet
Why do so many computer projects go wrong? This film tells the story of a typical IT disaster.
Duration: 31 minsYear: 1999DVD - VHSSupport Booklet: Printed Book
This film tells the story of how a computer project drove one company almost to bankruptcy.Comic distributor Craven Books bought a new IT system with the aim of improving its efficiency.But the system was over-ambitious - they went for the “big-bang” approach. The result: disaster.Craven lost many customers. It only saved itself from going bust by sacking many of its staff and going back to its old system. The key lesson: sort out your organisation's needs and problems first - only then think about the technology.Customers' feedback: “Excellent.” Mrs Dennis, Hewett School.
Duration: 31 minsYear: 1999DVD - VHSSupport Booklet
From choosing a new system to making a plunge into web-site design – three companies make difficult decisions about IT.
Duration: 28 minsYear: 1998DVD - VHSSupport Booklet: Printed Book
Three companies have to make difficult decisions about their IT systems.Choosing a new system: The computer system of tour operator Avalon Travel is old and breaking down. What do they replace it with?This system doesn't work: Copier company Comtex brought in a database system - but it isn't working. Should they scrap it?
Competitive advantage: Marina believes her firm, Apex Design, should break into web-site design. But is such a radical move too risky for the business?Customers' feedback: “Excellent. It helps pupils understand how IT systems work.” Mrs Race, Barrington Comprehensive.
Duration: 28 minsYear: 1998DVD - VHSSupport Booklet
Lively drama illustrates how a firm’s information systems work, including e-mail, invoicing, and database.
The video demonstrates how a firm's information systems work through a lively, dramatised case study, set in the backstabbing world of the Comtex copier company.Systems examined include invoicing, email and customer database. Comtex boss Tony Spence wants “push-button” efficiency, but things don't go to plan.Customers' feedback: “Encourages a critical view of the subject.” Times Educational Supplement
How much is new technology changing work? Case studies of IT in action from small businesses to a local council.
How much is new technology changing work? This video includes cases studies of small businesses, a local council and an ambulance service. Applications demonstrated include databases, electronic mail, image processing and voice recognition. The video also examines the impact on jobs and on people's health.Customers' feedback: “The video made things very real for people who haven't worked.” Chris Barnatt, Nottingham University
How are companies using the web to market their wares? Features the giant bookseller, WH Smith Online, and specialist wine dealer, Madaboutwine.
Duration: 28 minsYear: 2000DVD - VHSSupport Booklet: Printed Book
How are companies using the web to market their wares? This looks at two very different firms: giant bookseller, WH Smith Online, and specialist wine dealer, Madaboutwine.It's estimated there is a web-site for everyone on the planet, so companies have to target who they want to visit them. A prime target is the “time-poor” - busy, high income individuals.Madaboutwine use off-line advertising - for example, giving away 20,000 bottles of wine.
WH Smith relies more on online advertising - developing links with other web-sites and using banner adverts. Web-design is cucial and “viral marketing” a powerful tool. Will the web lead to a consumer revolution? Or to job losses and more congested roads?Customers' feedback: “Really positive feedback from my students.” J Allan, City College, Norwich.
Duration: 28 minsYear: 2000DVD - VHSSupport Booklet
Computers don’t necessarily mean cutting people out of manufacturing. These case studies show how technology can be used in a “human-centred” way.
Duration: 31 minsYear: 1994DVD - VHSSupport Booklet: Printed Book
Computers don’t necessarily mean cutting people out of manufacturing. These case studies show how technology can be used in a “human-centred” way.In Germany operators program their own CNC machine tools, achieving high degrees of flexibility and productivity. A UK wire-making company uses a computer-based planning and scheduling system to make best use of their machines and people. A paint spray firm takes a cellular approach to manufacturing, with islands of technology, in
which workers are self-managing and have control over their work.The video ends with a demonstration of a futuristic system designed to “informate” the production worker of tomorrow.Customers' feedback: “Gets the message across.” Lynne Parker, Nene College
Duration: 31 minsYear: 1994DVD - VHSSupport Booklet