Deck 2.2

Input Devices: Microphones, Cards, Speech, and Vision

ICT 110: IT for Business

        Today, we will explore how modern input devices are transforming business operations beyond the keyboard and mouse.
    

✅ Understand how audio and visual input devices capture critical business data.
✅ Analyze the application of card-based and scanning technologies in Finance, HR, and Operations.
✅ Evaluate the business impact of emerging input technologies like wearables and BCIs.
✅ Connect these technologies to real-world business scenarios in Nepal.

Modern businesses thrive on data. The way we 'input' that data into our systems has evolved dramatically, impacting every department.

The goal is to reduce friction between the physical business world and the digital information systems that run it.

        Speech Recognition: Technology that converts spoken language into machine-readable text.
    

How does this simple tool drive business value?

🤝 Human Resources: Automatically transcribing interviews and training sessions, saving hours of manual work.
⚙️ Operations: Hands-free commands for warehouse workers to update inventory while handling packages ("Voice Picking").
💼 General Business: Generating automatic, searchable minutes from meetings on platforms like Microsoft Teams or Zoom.
💰 Finance: Voice-driven commands in financial software for traders to execute orders quickly.

Smart assistants are moving from the home to the office, creating an ambient computing environment.

Executive Support: "Hey Google, schedule a budget review for Friday at 10 AM."
Operations: Controlling smart office devices (lights, climate) to reduce energy costs.
HR: Providing instant answers to common employee queries (e.g., leave policy, holidays).

These devices read data stored on a card, enabling secure and efficient transactions and access control.

Data stored magnetically. Used for hotel key cards, older credit cards.

Business Use: Low-cost access control.

Contains a microprocessor for secure, encrypted transactions.

Business Use: 💰 Secure Point-of-Sale (POS) payments in retail (Finance).

Contactless data transfer over short distances.

Business Use: 🤝 Employee ID for building access & time tracking (HR/Ops).

Scanners translate printed information into digital data, forming the backbone of modern logistics and retail.

⚙️ Operations: Tracking inventory from warehouse to store shelf. A core part of Supply Chain Management.
💰 Finance: Linking physical invoices to digital accounting records for faster processing.
🤝 HR: Scanning attendee badges at corporate events or training sessions.
🎯 Marketing: Directing customers to a website or promotion via a QR code on packaging.

Besides marketing, how could a manufacturing company use this QR code on its product packaging to support Operations or Finance?

        Vision Systems: Use cameras and AI to "see" and interpret the physical world, automating tasks that normally require human vision.
    

⚙️ Operations (Manufacturing): Automated quality control on an assembly line to spot defects in products, increasing quality and reducing waste.
💰 Finance (Banking): Mobile cheque deposit apps use image recognition to read account and amount details.
🤝 HR/Security: Facial recognition systems for secure access to sensitive areas of a company.
📊 Business Analytics: Retail stores can analyze foot traffic patterns to optimize store layout (without identifying individuals).

🎯 Input devices are strategic tools for capturing business data accurately and efficiently.
📊 They provide critical support to ALL business functions: Finance (POS, Cheques), Operations (Scanners, Voice), HR (Biometrics, Transcription), and Marketing (QR Codes).
⚡ The right input technology can significantly reduce costs, improve quality, and enhance security.
💡 Emerging technologies like wearables and BCIs will create new competitive advantages for innovative businesses.

Any questions?

Next Topic: Output Devices: Monitors, Printers and Projectors