Role of Information Technology in Business Operations

Business
Information
Technology Systems
1

2

INTRODUCTION
The process associated with developing, maintaining and making use of computer
software, networks and systems is referred to as information technology. Firms make use of
information for making sure that there activities are carried out in an appropriate manner but this
is only possible in case data is present in processed form otherwise it will be time consuming to
extract information (Aasheim, Li and Williams, 2019). To acknowledge the concept of business
information technology, British Home Plc is taken which is delivering products within different
sectors. They have not opted to make use of centralised IT systems due to which they are having
loss in their profit. This report comprises of ways in which firm utilise IT within their
operations, contributions which can be made, features rendered, value added change and
recommendations by which organisation can deliver their services according to desired
standards.
Task 1
Illustrate use of IT in distinct organisational functions.
Set of elements which work in collaboration with each other for management of storage and data
processing is defined as information system. It acts an important function which is being
rendered by IT as through these operations can be carried out in an enhanced manner (Ali, 2019).
An instance is being considered such as by storing the information of marketing department on
database trends of pattern prevailing within the market can be analysed which will aid to
anticipate future needs of individuals. It aids British Home Plc to enhance services and meet
market demands. By makings its use the activities related with marketing, sales and other
departments can be monitored as well as can be analysed what more can be done for enhancing
their activities. The ways in which IT can be used within firm are mentioned beneath:
IT department
Management of data is critical aspect of each firm which makes it indispensable as well
as complexity increases as manually it becomes difficult to deal with it. British Home Plc may
possess data which is in text, audio or video format. For, rendering services in an appropriate
way it is necessary that it is stored in a proper format so that it can be accessed whenever
required (Carvalho and et.al ., 2019). IT department of firm is liable for storing data in whatever
format it is as this will enable all other units to have access to it as per their requirements. The
3

other function is to ensure management of information as raw data is of no use until it is being
processed and knowledge has been extracted from this. It will aid firm to formulate decisions
accordingly. Apart from this, it is necessary to ensure that what access is given to whom to make
sure that any confidential information of British Home Plc is not accessed by any employee of
the firm (Clayton and Clopton, 2019).
Functions of marketing
It is one of the critical aspects of firm and digitalisation has also created a strong impact
on the ways in which promotional activities are being carried out and customers are reached out.
Marketing department of British Home Plc can make use of social media through which they can
acknowledge what their customers are expecting and they think about products that are given to
them. It can be utilised for making online advertisement, this will lead them to attract customers
to services that are being furnished by them (Gelinas, Sutton Jr and Federowicz, 2019). Through
this, market research can be easily carried out through usage of different search engines to have
profitable opportunities.
Improvisation in processes of all departments
It is important for organisation to enhance processes through which efficiency can be
enhanced and unnecessary cost can be eliminated. British Home Plc can make use of information
technology so that transmission of data can be carried out in an appropriate manner like data can
be transmitted by email rather than distributing hard copies related with each aspect. Virtual
collaboration and video conferencing can be used for collaborating with different teams and
carrying out activities in an impelling manner. Along with this, HR department can render
training to all employees with respect to utilisation of technology.
Enhancement within planning
Enterprise resource planning can be used by British Home Plc for linking distinct
functions of organisation. ERP processes are utilised by firms for management and integration of
all the important aspects of firm. The software will aid within integrating different aspects like
formulation of plans, their marketing, inventory purchasing, and many other functions
(Holsapple, Sena and Wagner, 2019). Along with this, it will aid within strategic and operational
decision making.
4