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Network Applications

A WAN allows the individual units of a company that is spread over a large geographical area to share a common information system. Information from all sections of the company is available to central managers and data can flow between the different sections as required. Thus a supermarket chain will have a WAN linking its retail outlets, its distribution and warehouse sites and its head office. Data will flow from the individual retail outlets to the distribution centres so that stock can be replaced as it is sold. Information about overall sales and performance of individual outlets will be available centrally.

Some applications of networks are given below:

  1. Omnitracs - an American parcel carrying firm - has a system that links individual lorries via satellite to their central computer. This allows them to direct lorries to pick up packages using the most efficient routing. Parcels are logged on and off using bar code readers so that head office can give customers detailed information about where a particular package is together with an accurate estimate of delivery time.
  2. The Nottinghamshire  Derby  Yorkshire ambulance service has a similar system see Case Study 4
  3. Nottinghamshire Yorkshire and Derbyshire supply hospitals with over 120 000 different items. The have installed computer terminals in hospitals which allow customers to place an order. The system handles details of invoicing, billing and delivery. Goods can often be delivered within an hour of ordering. The hospital no longer needs to tie up resources in maintaining stock levels. Baxter Healthcare gain by binding their customers to their system. (see case study 4)
  4. Banks have installed a network of ATM's, that allow customers to withdraw cash at any time. The ATM is linked to a central computer allowing customers to obtain a credit balance.
  5. Supermarkets link retail outlets and warehouses more recently suppliers log on too to provide automatic ordering and delivery.
  6. The Internet provides a worldwide network for information and communication
  7. Many companies use a LAN and or WAN for internal communication and data gathering.
  8. The meteorological office has a network of sensors around the country. These provide information on local temperature, wind speed and directions, sunshine and rainfall
 

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