INFORMATİON TECHNOLOGY

Information technology (IT), as defined by the information Technology

Association of America (ITAA), is ‘the study , design , development , implementation ,

support , or management of computer-based information systems , particularly

software applications and computer hardware. ‘IT deals with the use of electronic

computers and computer software to convert , store , protect , process , transmit ,

and securely retrieve information.

And also Information technology is a contemporary term that describes the

combination of computer technology (hardware and software) with

telecommunications technology (data, image, and voice networks).

The term is commonly used as a synonym for computers and computer

networks, but it also encompasses other information distribution technologies such as

television and telephones. Several industries are associated with information

technology, including computer hardware, software, electronics, semiconductors,

internet, telecom equipment, e-commerce and computer services.

Humans have been storing, retrieving, manipulating and communicating

information since the Sumerians in Mesopotamia developed writing in about 3000

BC, but the term information technology in its modern sense first appeared in a 1958

article published in the Harvard Business Review; authors Harold J. Leavitt and

Thomas L. Whisler commented that "the new technology does not yet have a single

established name. We shall call it information technology (IT)." Their definition

consists of three categories: techniques for processing, the application of statistical

and mathematical methods to decision-making and the simulation of higher-order

thinking through computer programs.

In some companies, this is referred to as Management Information Services

(or MIS) or simply as Information Services (or IS).

The information technology department of a large company would be

responsible for storing information, protecting information, processing the information,

transmitting the information as necessary, and later retrieving information as

necessary. These innovations enable the processing and storage of enormous

amounts of information, along with rapid distribution of information through

communication networks.

IT has enabled the globalisation of the economy and competition, and caused

large-scale changes in many industries

IT is also bringing a major shift in the job market; resulting in a more polarised

occupational structure, consisting of

highly skilled=well paid jobs

lower skilled=low wages

Hardware and software revolution

• The diminishing cost of personal computers has put computing power

within the reach of even the smallest contractors.

• Rapidly developing hardware performance, coupled with the

development of storage drives with very large volumes, modems,

scanners, and back up devices has made the computer suitable for

storage and distribution of drawings and other data in electronic format.

HISTORY OF INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

In the 1960s and 1970s, the term information technology (IT) was a little

known phrase that was used by those who worked in places like banks and hospitals

to describe the processes they used to store information. With the paradigm shift to

computing technology and "paperless" workplaces, information technology has come

to be a household phrase. It defines an industry that uses computers, networking,

software programming, and other equipment and processes to store, process,

retrieve, transmit, and protect information.

In the early days of computer development, there was no such thing as a

college degree in IT. Software development and computer programming were best

left to the computer scientists and mathematical engineers, due to their complicated

nature. As time passed and technology advanced, such as with the advent of the

personal computer in the 1980s and its everyday use in the home and the workplace,

the world moved into the information age.

By the early 21st century, nearly every child in the Western world, and many in

other parts of the world, knew how to use a personal computer. Businesses'

information technology departments have gone from using storage tapes created by

a single computer operator to interconnected networks of employee workstations

that store information in a server farm, often somewhere away from the main

business site. Communication has advanced, from physical postal mail, to telephone

fax transmissions, to nearly instantaneous digital communication through electronic

mail (email).

Great technological advances have been made since the days when computers

were huge pieces of equipment that were stored in big, air conditioned rooms,

getting their information from punch cards. The information technology industry has

turned out to be a huge employer of people worldwide, as the focus shifts in some

nations from manufacturing to service industries. It is a field where the barrier to

entry is generally much lower than that of manufacturing, for example. In the current

business environment, being proficient in computers is often a necessity for those

who want to compete in the workplace.

Two different parts of information technology

Computer Technology Programmable , multiuse machine that accepts data—raw facts and

figures –and processes , or manipulates , it into information we can use.

Communication Technology Also called telecommunications technology , consist of electromagnetic

devices and systems for communicating over long distances

Communication Technology

The new communication technology enables people located in different places

to work together as if they were in the same office. Big multinational companies are

already exploiting this technology to achieve better use of the resources of their

seperate offices. In this way projects can be shared between offices with the

application of the best expertise, and around the clock

Computer Technology

The computer technology program transforms students into technology

leaders in a sustainable global economy. This is achieved by presenting students with

a strong foundation in the concepts, theories, and practices that serve as the basis for

the varying aspects of information technology. This includes the design,

implementation, and adminstration of secured systems and networks. Students have

the opportunity to develope expertise in specialty areas of interest through electives

in higher level technology courses.

Since the purpose of information technology is to facilitate the goals and

objecties of a business or organization, students are required to complete the Minor

in Business Administration. With an understanding of how organizations operate,

students will be able to move effectively design systems and networks that will

support the needs of the business or organization.

To gain real-world experience in today's computer environments, you are also

required to complete an internship.

INTERNET

The value of the Internet to construction companies derives from its ability to

easily connect globally to a vast amount of data, which would otherwise have taken

more time and money to organise. By exploiting the resources of the Internet

construction companies can gain the following benefits

Enhance communication and coordination

Reduces communication

Acceleration in the distribution of knowledge resources within and out with

the company

Promotion and marketing for the company

Friendships and love connections have been made over the internet by people

involved in love/passion over similar interests

Some benefits from Internet

On-line services: The rapid development of the Internet and the World Wide Web

has enabled many services that traditionally required face to face meetings to be

delivered on-line.

Internet distance learning: opportunities of university education, widening access to

higher education (delivering teaching and learning to people who cannot attend

lectures)-increases a country’s competitiveness in a global market.

E-business: Internet provides a virtual market place for buyers, suppliers, distributors

and sellers to exchange information, negotiate and trade

Teleworking: Flexibility in working conditions, less office space, more productive

workers.

A network is a communications system connecting two or more computers ;

the internet is the largest such network.

How is information technology being used in education?

E-mail

Distance learning

Course Management softwares

Avatars

How are computers being used in health and medicine?

Telemedicine

Robots

How will computers affect my financial matters?

Virtual money

Micro-credits

Micro payments

How will my leisure activities be affected by information technology?

Satellite Television

Online Television

In what ways are computers changing goverment and politics?

Connection with Voters

Electronic Polling

Three Step Balloting

Online Public Complaints

Impact of Advanced Information Technology

Advances in information technology is to be grateful and appreciated as a

remarkable achievement. Therefore, we must take advantage of advances in

information technology is to do positive things.

Why is that?

In fact, advances in information technology not only provides a

positive effect. Many also brought along the negative impact of information

technology advances

Here's a positive impact of information technology development.

Make it easier for companies or individual business transaction-based

information technology or so-called E-Commerce.

Simplify access to information needed for various purposes.

Faciliate the delivery of information or communication between one

place to an other place

Widespread use of information technology can open new job

opportunities.

Besides positive impacts, advances in information technology have a negative

effect.

The rapid advancement in information technology, internet and other

media, facilitate the entry of banned sites and violence.

Ease of transactions via the Internet will provide opportunities to perform

transacts forbidden, such as drug and contraband transactions

The Role of IT

It is accepted that telecommunication is a basic infrastructure necessary

for economic and social development of a country.

This is even becoming more strong than ever as information related

economic activities are growing.

Information and communications technology may be described as the

support of the central nervous system of complex societies, transmitting

and processing information and commands among the various parts of

such societies.

Internet plays a fundamental function in IT role

Benefits from IT

Benefits could be obtained in:

Education

Job training

Health care

Food security

Environment management

Government efficiency