M1L1: Introduction to Information Technology

Definition of Information Technology

IT or information technology refers to the development, maintenance, and use of
any computer, storage, software, systems and networks. It includes their use for
creating, processing, securing, storing, and distributing all forms of electronic
data. Data means information, facts, statistics, etc., gathered together for reference,
storage, or analysis. According to Grauer (2001), IT covers any form of technology, that
is, any equipment or technique used by a company, institution, or any other organization
which handles information.

The term information technology was coined probably in the late 1970s to refer to this
nexus of computer-based technologies for handling information. It incorporates
computing, telecommunication technologies, and includes consumer electronics and
broadcasting as it is getting more and more digitized. It was coined by the Harvard
Business Review, in order to make a distinction between purpose-built machines
designed to perform a limited scope of functions and general-purpose computing
machines that could be programmed for various tasks. As the IT industry evolved from
the mid-20th century, computing capability advanced while device cost and energy
consumption fell lower, a cycle that continues today when new technologies emerge.

The key point of IT is that it involves the processing of data by computers. Therefore,
the construction of computers does not fall within the definition, and the processing of
information by manual or mechanical methods, also does not count. Computers existed
before 1978, but they were mainly used to perform complicated calculations. Once
computers were applied to indexing and sorting written information, the term
“information technology” was invented.
Impact of IT on Society
Every day, individuals use technology in fresh ways. Computers are becoming more
and more affordable; they are still stronger as information-processing tools in addition to
simpler to use. Computers are transforming the way people communicate, do business,
like to entertain, and educate themselves. It follows that we can’t just share information
fast and efficiently, but we could even bring down barriers of linguistic and geographical
boundaries and states are in a position to shares ideas and advice with one another.
The World Wide Web has also opened up face to face direct communication from
various areas of the globe as a result of the aid of video conferencing. Many
collaboration platforms are assembled along with face to face call through mobile
devices such as iPhone. This technological evolution has not only had a profound
impact on the business community, but also on private and professional lives. The
computer evolution, however, has given rise also to serious social issues including
the vulnerability of personal information and job security. This evolution has an
impact on the whole society.

Price efficacy - Information technology has helped to computerized the company

process thus streamlining companies to create them extremely economical money-
making machines. This usually means that a company can be available anytime,
anyplace making purchases from various countries easier and much more convenient.

Generation of new projects – Likely the best benefit of information technologies is the
invention of interesting and new tasks. Computer programmers, Systems analyzers,
Hardware and Software programmers and Web designers are only some of the many
new job opportunities made with the assistance of IT. This usually means that many of
middle and lower level jobs are done away with inducing more people to become
jobless. From mobile phone sign interceptions to email hacking, most individuals are
now concerned about their once personal information becoming public awareness.

Lack of job safety – Business experts think that the World Wide Web has made job
security a significant issue as since tech keeps on changing with each and every day.
This usually means that one must maintain a continuous learning mode, whether he or
she desires to their occupation to be protected. For instance, it’s now contended that
the US affects how most young teens all around the world now behave, dress and act.
Languages also are much overshadowed, together with English becoming the main
mode of communicating for business and everything else.

Impact of IT in certain domains

In short, an individual can easily find that computer-related technologies have a solid
effect on the entire world. These have brought many professionals and students into the
area of information engineering. These areas comprise:

Business – Among the very first and biggest programs of computers is maintaining and
managing financial and business documents. Similar databases and programs are
employed in these business functions as charging clients; monitoring payments
received and payments to be created, and monitoring supplies needed and things
created, stored, shipped, and sold. In reality, practically all of the information businesses
will need to do business requires using computers and information technology.
Medication – Information technology has a significant role in medication. A computer
then combines the images to create detailed three-dimensional pictures of the human
body’s organs. Additionally, the MRI creates images that reveal changes in body
chemistry and blood circulation. It’s also Impact of Information Technology on Society

Science and Engineering – With supercomputers, meteorologists forecast future

climate by employing a mix of observations of climate conditions from several
resources, a mathematical representation of this behavior of the air, and geographical
data. Computer applications make it possible for engineers to examine designs of
complicated structures like power plants and space channels.

Instruction – The technologies available now has produced a wealth of knowledge

accessible for pupils, which provides excellent potential for the pace and manner of
learning. Information is presented in so many ways that any kind student, whether gifted
or handicapped, can detect and utilize the essential material. With e-learning, the info
on the World Wide Web is readily available for all that have access, without any
discrimination.
Importance/Advantages of IT
With improvements in information technology, globalization has increased. The world is
brought closer, and the world’s economy is quickly becoming a single interdependent
system. Information can be shared quickly and easily from all over the globe, and
barriers of linguistic and geographic boundaries can be torn down as people share
ideas and information with each other. The role and importance of information
technology in our society are as follows:

Business: With the introduction of computers, the business world was changed forever.
Using computers and software, businesses use information technology to ensure that
their departments run smoothly. They use information technology in a number of
different departments including human resources, finance, manufacturing, and security.

Education: Using technology, teachers can prepare their students for a future flooded
with gadgets including tablets, mobile phones, computers, and so much
more. Information technology is helping to prevent more high school and college
dropouts as well.
Finance: Without information technology, online purchases would be impossible, and it
would be impossible for banks to keep these purchases secure. Information technology
has also made it faster and easier than ever to send or receive money.

Healthcare: Improvements in information technology have allowed for great reform in

healthcare. Most medical offices can now send and receive digital medical information
from doctors you’ve had in the past. Changes like this allow costs to be lowered and
increase the amount of time doctors can spend on patients compared to paperwork.

Security: With so many transactions done online and so much information available
online, it’s important to keep all of that safe. Information technology makes it possible
for your online data to stay secure until accessed by the proper channels. Using
passwords and encryption, information technology hides your personal digital data
away, and the only way it can be accessed is by companies who have permission from
you.

Communication: With improvements in information technology, globalization has

increased. The world is brought closer, and the world’s economy is quickly becoming a
single interdependent system. Information can be shared quickly and easily from all
over the globe, and barriers of linguistic and geographic boundaries can be torn down
as people share ideas and information with each other.

Employment: Information technology has also created new jobs. Programmers,

systems analyzers, hardware and software developers, and web designers all owe their
jobs to information technology. Without such advances, these jobs would not exist.

Disadvantage of IT
No matter how good IT is, still we cannot deny the fact that it has its disadvantages. The
disadvantages of IT are as follows:

Unemployment: Unfortunately, along with the creation of new and interesting jobs,
information technology has also led to a rise in unemployment. By streamlining the
business process, job redundancies, downsizing, and outsourcing has occurred. Many
low and middle level jobs have been turned to other countries, leaving more people
unemployed.
Lack of Job Security: Many people also credit information technology with a lack of job
security. As new technology is released and jobs require more and more training, it’s
important for employees to stay in a learning mode in order to keep their job. Changes
in technology make it difficult for older employees to adapt as quickly as their younger
peers.

Lack of Privacy: Although information technology continuously works on making things

more secure, there is still a great lack of privacy. Cell phones have been known to be
intercepted, and email addresses can be hacked. Just recently, the Heartbleed Bug
created a vulnerability in the OpenSSL cryptographic software library, and many people
were concerned for their internet security and privacy.

Creation of Dominant Culture: It is also believed that along with opening a great
communication window, information technology has begun to create a dominant culture.
Many believe that the United States holds the most influence over how teenagers all
over the world now act, dress, and behave simply because of what they can access
online. English has slowly become the primary mode of communication for business
and other communication areas.

Conclusion
Information has become an important part of our daily lives and we are living in the age
of information. Information has a great impact on our society. Technology is playing a
crucial role in the success of organizations in the ‘information age.’ The changing times
and the invention of computer have transformed every aspect of our society. The impact
of Information technology is increasing day by day. Every day, we use Information
technology in several ways. Computers are highly affordable and thus it reaches to a
larger number of consumers. This makes it pretty obvious that IT has now played a
significant role in our society. With the presented impacts, advantages and
disadvantages of IT, we can say that IT now is not only for those people who have
studied computer courses. Instead, everybody should become IT experts themselves in
order to become competitive or to thrive in this age.