Technology has significantly impacted business over the past 60 years through innovations like the telephone, fax machine, cell phone, and computer. These electronic devices have revolutionized industries and created new jobs and markets. The digital workflow and internet in particular have allowed businesses to communicate and reach customers worldwide through e-commerce. This has led to a boom in virtual businesses and new forms of commerce like multi-channel retailers and clicks-and-mortar companies that blend physical and online sales.

1. Section 1
The History of Technology

2. Technology has changed the way
people do business. Technological
inventions have created new products,
new markets, and new jobs.

5. An early invention that had a huge impact on
business was the telephone.
Cordless phones, cell phones, and radio
telephones became useful tools for business
and consumers.

6. Cell phones are not just phones—they are
small computers.
Fax machines use telephone lines to send
images.

7. In the past 60 years, electronic devices have
revolutionized business and society.
Business and consumers demand smaller,
faster, cheaper, and more powerful electronic
devices.

8. The computer has created a boom in nearly all
industries.
Personal digital assistants (PDAs) let users
send e-mail, list contacts, and access the
Internet.

9. According to the
Bureau of Labor
Statistics, the
e-workforce consists
of more than 77
million workers.

10. Electronic commerce,
or e-commerce,
allows businesses to
reach customers
directly anywhere in
the world.

11. New markets have opened up for products
such as printers, fax machines, video games,
and cell phones.
Innovation means more jobs and more people
learning new skills.

12. By switching to a
digital workflow,
companies use less
paper.

13. The digital workflow means that more people
have easier access to a broad range of
information.
Library catalogs and encyclopedias are
available in digital format.

14. High-tech industry can be found everywhere,
but especially in these technology centers:

16. The Internet has created a demand for:

17. Companies post job opportunities in several
locations:

18. Section 2
E-Commerce

22. The ease of doing business via the Internet has
created a boom in virtual businesses.
The Internet makes it possible to communicate
online with customers and clients around the
world.

23. Some Internet
businesses are
start-ups.

25. An e-tail store sells
products over the
Internet through
e-commerce.

26. A multi-channel
retailer uses various
methods to sell
products.

27. Businesses often call
their stores and
warehouses
bricks-and-mortar.

28. Bookstore chain Barnes
& Noble is an example
of a
clicks-and-mortar
company.

29. Some people find that
purchasing an
e-ticket is easier and
cheaper than visiting
an actual store.