Introduction to Information Technology Chapter 1

Definition of Information What is Information? Information is any knowledge that comes to our attention. That could be voice, image, text and video What is data? Data is information when dealing with the machine.

Fundamental roles of IT Communication For many companies, email is the principal means of communication between employees, suppliers and customers. Email was one of the early drivers of the Internet, providing a simple and inexpensive means to communicate. Inventory Management When it comes to managing inventory, organizations need to maintain enough stock to meet demand without investing in more than they require. Inventory management systems track the quantity of each item a company maintains, triggering an order of additional stock when the quantities fall below a pre-determined amount. 

Data Management The days of large file rooms, rows of filing cabinets and the mailing of documents is fading fast. Today, most companies store digital versions of documents on servers and storage devices.  Management Information Systems Storing data is only a benefit if that data can be used effectively. Management Information Systems (MIS) enable companies to track sales data, expenses and productivity levels. Customer Relationship Management Companies are using IT to improve the way they design and manage customer relationships. Customer Relationship Management (CRM) systems capture every interaction a company has with a customer, so that a more enriching experience is possible. 

Application of IT in the real world Science and Engineering Scientific progress in fields like biotechnology is almost entirely dependent on the use of computers and other microprocessor- controlled devices. Using supercomputers, meteorologists predict future weather by using a combination of observations of weather conditions from many sources, a mathematical representation of the behavior of the atmosphere, and geographic data. Computer-aided design (CAD) and computer-aided manufacturing (CAM) programs have led to improved products in many fields. Education The advent of Information Technology has changed the meaning of the term “literate”, with computer literacy being almost as important as basic literacy in many cases. Computer education is an essential course at the primary level in most schools across the world. designs tend to be very detailed.

Business & Commerce One of the first and largest applications of computers is keeping and managing business and financial records. Most large companies keep the employment records of all their workers in large databases that are managed by computer programs. Similar programs and databases are used in business functions like billing customers; tracking payments received and payments to be made. Medicine Information Technology plays an important role in medicine. For example, a scanner takes a series of pictures of the body by means of computerized axial tomography (CAT) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). items produced, stored, shipped, and sold.

Entertainment IT has changed the lifestyle of most people Entertainment IT has changed the lifestyle of most people. The convergence of various technologies has created various options for entertainment like games, streaming music and video, digital television broadcasts, satellite radio, animated movies etc.

Internetworking is implemented in Layer 3 (Network Layer) of this model The most notable example of internetworking is the Internet (capitalized). Internetworking started as a way to connect disparate types of computer networking technology. Computer network term is used to describe two or more computer that are linked to each other. When two or more computer networks or computer network segments are connected using devices such as a router then it is called as computer internetworking.

Extranet : An extranet is a network of internetwork or Internetworking that is limited in scope to a single organisation or entity but which also has limited connections to the networks of one or more other usually, but not necessarily, trusted organizations or entities . Intranet : An intranet is a set of interconnected networks or Internetworking, using the Internet Protocol and uses IP-based tools such as web browsers and ftp tools, that is under the control of a single administrative entity.   Internet : A specific Internetworking, consisting of a worldwide interconnection of governmental, academic, public, and private networks based upon the Advanced Research Projects Agency Network (ARPANET)

Current issues in IT Top 10 IT Issues, 2016 Information Security: Developing a holistic, agile approach to information security to create a secure network, develop security policies, and reduce institutional exposure to information security threats Optimizing Educational Technology: Collaborating with faculty and academic leadership to understand and support innovations and changes in education and to optimize the use of technology in teaching and learning, including understanding the appropriate level of technology to use Student Success Technologies: Improving student outcomes through an institutional approach that strategically leverages technology IT Workforce Hiring and Retention: Ensuring adequate staffing capacity and staff retention as budgets shrink or remain flat and as external competition grows

IT Funding Models: Developing IT funding models that sustain core services, support innovation, and facilitate growth. BI and Analytics: Developing effective methods for business intelligence, reporting, and analytics to ensure they are relevant to institutional priorities and decision making and can be easily accessed and used by administrators, faculty, and students Enterprise Application Integrations: Integrating enterprise applications and services to deliver systems, services, processes, and analytics that are scalable and constituent centered

IT Organizational Development: Creating IT organizational structures, staff roles, and staff development strategies that are flexible enough to support innovation and accommodate on going changes in higher education, IT service delivery, technology, and analytics E-Learning and Online Education: Providing scalable and well-resourced e-learning services, facilities, and staff to support increased access to and expansion of online education. Institutional Data Management: Improving the management of institutional data through data standards, integration, protection, and governance.

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