Introduction
Writing technical reports is a crucial skill for effective communication since it requires creativity and a high level of complexity. Writing often requires refining one’s thoughts, expressing those thoughts in one’s own words, combining those thoughts with one’s presentation, and editing those thoughts into something understandable. Any writing, but report writing in particular, can be modeled as a process of solving problems recursively. Due to this, a number of different tools and technologies may be utilized to carry out the writing process to improve one’s ability to communicate information. The use of computers has had a significant impact on the lives of millions of schoolchildren across the United States. Mobile phones, computers, and Evernote are just a few examples of the various technology and tools that fall under this category. This report paper places a significant amount of emphasis on using personal computers as an effective tool for drafting technical reports.
Details
For many years, computers have changed how the world was formerly known and presently functions. Computers have emerged as indispensable tools in various settings, including medical facilities, athletic arenas, and, most notably, educational institutions. Computers have not only made their way into classrooms, but they have also taken over, impacting the various educational strategies and instructional approaches. In this modern era, computers have virtually become indispensable.
Effectiveness and Ineffectiveness of Computers
Computers can record and portray processes. Therefore, they have the potential to serve as an inspiring, strong, and untapped tool for directly concentrating the attention of the user on their thought processes as well as learning through reflection. A computational medium has the potential to capture the processes by which an expert or a novice can be able to carry out a complex task, provided that the medium is properly structured and abstracted (Ryan & Lewis, 2017). When utilizing computers for technical writing, inexperienced users can compare their workflow to the method in which more experienced users carry out the same operations. As a result, this tool’s usage can be quickly learned and comprehended with relative ease. In addition to this, computers, via the use of reification, make it feasible to reconfigure a process representation so that first-time users can examine and comprehend many facets of the procedures.
Computers help companies to collect, organize, calculate, and visualize customer data and information through the use of computer applications such as Microsoft Word, Excel, Microsoft PowerPoint, and Tally. Computers assist companies in retrieving, managing, evaluating, and arranging customer data and information. Utilizing the internet, various online communication tools, and an internet phone system helps facilitate faster communication with the consumer when utilizing a computer (Williams & Beam, 2019). It is vital for the management of any large or small firm and any area to handle the available resources and opportunities properly.
When beginning the process of putting one’s business ideas and goals into action, using a computer in the workplace can be quite effective. Business owners can use Microsoft Excel to perform financial calculations, budgeting planning, visualization of data for training and meetings, and analysis of information analytics to generate innovative and unique valuable products and services. This can all be done as part of developing a business plan. They can obtain pre-defined and prepared excel templates, so they may still use these templates even if they do not know how to build a business plan. In addition, they have the option of purchasing complete business plan templates online through the use of the internet (Fraillon et al., 2020). They also have the option of consulting about the planning and executing of their business idea. Without a computer, Microsoft Excel, and the Internet, it is extremely difficult for businesses to obtain such specifics and insights on data and information about business development. Due to this, a firm needs to use a computer and other technology in the same vein.
The adoption of hybrid computer technologies by large corporations has sped up the manufacturing process while simultaneously lowering its costs. Robots are gradually replacing humans in hazardous work conditions, allowing businesses to take on more demanding and complex tasks. Using applications for business intelligence, artificial intelligence, and cloud computing, even small businesses can automate many tasks, including marketing, selling, transactions, and hundreds of others (Fraillon et al., 2020). The above is made possible through the utilization of cloud computing. The usage of computers in commercial settings is to blame for all that has transpired thus far.
However, despite the fact that using computers has been demonstrated to be potentially effective for various editing jobs, a significant portion of editing is still carried out through more conventional methods, such as writing on paper. Consequently, an argument can be made to assess whether or not this tool is being utilized inefficiently or whether or not computers are simply inappropriate for editing. Sixty-two point eight percent of editors, according to a survey of ninety-four editors that was carried out, edit on computers. However, editors who regularly use computers for editing, such as bank employees who regularly input transactions such as deposits and withdrawals, still rely on hard copy versions (Lynch et al., 2021). In light of this, most people who use computers are responsible for the visual components of the information, especially for administrative obligations. This is in contrast to those people who only use paper copies. Thus, it is possible to conclude that computers are nothing more than editing tools; nonetheless, editors should not be replaced by computers.
Computers can be a source of distraction, particularly if workers are given unrestricted access to the internet. Employees could be tempted to waste their time mindlessly perusing the internet, commenting on social media, checking sports scores, sending films to friends, playing games, or having chats via instant messaging rather than working (Lynch et al., 2021). Businesses may incur additional costs to purchase and install filtering software to limit workers’ browsing access and create a blacklist of websites that employees are not permitted to visit. This may be necessary.
Applications of Computers in McDonald’s Restaurant
McDonald’s is one of the few firms that use computer technology to boost the efficacy and efficiency of cashier operations. This helps McDonald’s compete more effectively and efficiently with its competitors. According to recent reports, the company has planned to replace the responsibilities of the cashiers with touch screen computers at terminals. These terminals allow customers to choose meals and pay using credit cards (Thompson et al., 2020). Steve Easterbrook, head of McDonald’s European division, said the following when speaking to the Financial Times: “The touch screen technique of ordering will enhance efficiency and make the average transaction three to four seconds faster for each client.” Because fewer people will be needed to work the cash registers, McDonald’s will undoubtedly experience an increase in income due to the implementation of computers. In addition, there will be openness and simplicity in the process of record-keeping because all payments will be made with credit cards, which means that all of the transactions will be recorded in a statement that can be looked through on a weekly or monthly basis.
However, customers may become dissatisfied with this routine over time because there is no opportunity for any personal hospitality experience. For example, cashiers do not welcome customers before serving them or engage in other forms of hospitality. Most customers, particularly in the food and beverage industry, place a high value on their individual experiences and how they are attended to while patrons of a given establishment (Tham et al., 2018). Unfortunately, computers are limited to nothing more than providing service to their users. Despite its efficiency, it fails to establish a personal connection with customers, proving to be a disastrous business approach for McDonald’s. As a result, the company ought to think about employing a few cashiers who the computers will assist in terms of service to maintain
Recommendations
To maximize the effectiveness of print marketing and advertising, it is recommended that businesses employ this tool. Due to advancements in computing, computers can now provide remarkable assistance with a wide range of collaborative and individual writing projects. Through computer networks, technical editors can now readily collaborate on, and even distribute, fully formatted drafts to colleagues anywhere in the world. A computer can also function as a project librarian, recording which users can access which parts of the document and limiting their editing capabilities accordingly. This report identified a technical writing tool McDonald’s Restaurant uses to increase productivity and income. As a result of technological advancements, businesses can save money by eliminating the need to staff their locations with human cashiers and instead relying on a touch-screen computer system that lets customers place orders and make payments. Customers are able to quickly determine what they require due to the data contained in the computers, and there is no room for error in the payment process because the system will deduct the exact amount for the food items selected. Creating such data with the help of computers is a viable option.
Conclusion
Technical report writing is a complex art that demands a lot of talent for efficient communication. Like any other kind of writing, report writing may be treated as a recursive process of problem resolution. To this end, several resources exist that can facilitate the act of writing and thereby enhance one’s efficacy as a communicator. Computing devices can capture and depict procedures. As a result, they hold promise as a motivating, powerful, and underutilized instrument for focusing the user’s attention on their mental processes and enhancing knowledge through reflection. A large percentage of editing is still done using more conventional ways, such as writing on paper, although using computers is potentially beneficial for a range of editing duties. McDonald’s is unusual in that it employs computer technology to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of its cashier operations. McDonald’s will be able to compete with its rivals more productively and successfully by involving computers.
References
Fraillon, J., Ainley, J., Schulz, W., Friedman, T., & Duckworth, D. (2020). Preparing for life in a digital world: IEA international computer and information literacy study 2018 international report (p. 297). Springer Nature.
Lynch, M., Kamovich, U., Longva, K. K., & Steinert, M. (2021). Combining technology and entrepreneurial education through design thinking: Students’ reflections on the learning process. Technological Forecasting and Social Change, 164, 119689.
Ryan, C. L., & Lewis, J. M. (2017). Computer and internet use in the United States: 2016. Washington, DC: US Department of Commerce, Economics and Statistics Administration, US Census Bureau.
Tham, J., Duin, A. H., Gee, L., Ernst, N., Abdelqader, B., & McGrath, M. (2018). Understanding virtual reality: Presence, embodiment, and professional practice. IEEE Transactions on Professional Communication, 61(2), 178-195.
Thompson, P., McDonald, P., & O’Connor, P. (2020). Employee dissent on social media and organizational discipline. Human relations, 73(5), 631-652.
Williams, C., & Beam, S. (2019). Technology and writing: Review of research. Computers & education, 128, 227-242.