1. information accessed and transmitted quickly

2. centralized database

3. centralized management and decentralized operations

4. links business processes performed by independent computer systems

5. links a business to its customers

6. flattens the organizational hierarchy

Diagram of a Wide Area Network

II. WAN COMMUNICATIONS HARDWARE

A. Modem (DSL, Cable Modem, and MMDS).

B. Down-Line Processor/Multiplexor

C. Front-End Processor

D. PBX (T-1, Wi-Fi)

III. LAN COMPONENTS

A. Servers

1. dedicated:file,database,communications, and printer
2. server strategies:server-based or peer-to-peer

B. Network interface board

C. Workstation (client)

D. Network Media and Topology

1. bus, ring, and star
2. network protocols (Ethernet, Fast Ethernet, and Gigabit Ethernet)

E. Network operating software

IV. COMMUNICATIONS CHANNELS

A. Local Area Network (LAN) (see white paper on Wireless Hotel )

1. twisted pair wire

2. coaxial cable

3. fiber optic cable

B. Wide Area Network (WAN)

1. private or leased line (frame relay and VPNs)

2. dial-up line

3. microwave technology

4. satellite technology (VSAT)

V. THE INTERNET

A. Definition (TCP/IP, IP Networks, and VoIP).)

B. Internet Capabilities

(see PowerPoint presentation by Galen Collins (2000) entitled: The Internet: Where is this Whirlwind Taking Us
Topics covered include: US Population Characteristics, World Population Characteristics, User Behavior, User Behavior, User Behavior, Consumer Attitudes, Purchasing on the Internet, Purchasing on the Internet, Internet Travel, Priceline.com, Electronic Commerce Trends in the Tourism Industry, Internet Access from Hotel Rooms, Distance Learning:Overview, Distance Learning: Predictions, Distance Learning Markets, Distance Learning & the Hospitality Industry, Distance Learning at NAU, Satellite & Web-based Learning System, Impact of Internet on Business Functions, Search Engine > Portal > Vortal, Vortal Characteristics, Business to Consumer Vortal, Destination Vortal, Electronic Customer Relationship Management Voice Portal, Arizona Hospitality Business Network, Intranets, Intranet Applications, Intranet Applications, Intranet Applications, Intranet Applications, Applications: Web-based CRSs, Application Service Providers (ASP), ASP Web-based applications, ASP Web-based Applications, ASP APPLICATION: Ready4Dinner.com, Web-based catering and events Systems, and Online Vacation Auctions.

1. E-mail

2. WWW

3. Intranets (also see Extranet)

4. FTP

5. On-line information

6. New technologies

7. ASPs