Introduction to Information Technology

Introduction to
Information Technology

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................4
Literature Review............................................................................................................................4
Identification of role of IT within organisation...........................................................................4
Ethical and social issues..............................................................................................................5
Networking technologies.............................................................................................................6
Importance of intranet and internet..............................................................................................8
Analysis and Discussion..................................................................................................................9
Role of Information Technology in Tesco:.................................................................................9
Different networks used by Tesco:..............................................................................................9
Ethical and social issues related with Tesco:...............................................................................9
Importance of intranet and internet to Tesco:............................................................................10
Different stages of system development life cycle....................................................................10
If IT department of organisation like Tesco identifies that alteration is required during any of
the phases of system development lifecycle, the firm can make use of all phases again..........12
Conclusion.....................................................................................................................................12
References......................................................................................................................................12

INTRODUCTION
Information technology means usage of computers for storage, retrieving, transmission and
manipulation of data with respect to requirements (Eason, 2014). It comprises of hardware,
telecommunication, transmission of data and software for providing effectual communication.
Basically, it refers to utilisation of computers, networking, storage, processes, and secure
exchange of information through electronic medium. This report is based on Tesco which is
public limited company and is headquartered at Hertfordshire, England. It was founded by Jack
Cohen in 1919 and they renders there services worldwide in the form of Supermarket, superstore,
hypermarket and convenience store. Apart from this, report also contains role of IT, ethical and
social issues associated with technology and different types of networking technologies. Along
with this, significance of internet, intranet and different stages within system development life
cycle have been elaborated.
Literature Review
Identification of role of IT within organisation
Information technology systems are being utilised by firms for carrying out different
tasks. IT plays crucial role for carrying out basic transactions associated with suppliers,
distributors or operations of firm. Along with this interaction also becomes smoother. Its role in
wider context within Tesco is illustrated below:
 Flow of information: It is a key resource within organisation which comprises of
external, internal, subjective or objective information. External information comprises of
surrounding environment within organisation. Subjective involves description of what is
unknown whereas objective deals with information in terms of what is known. By the
usage of technology a centralised data centre is used for retrieving data. As Tesco is
rendering their services in around 6800 outlets then it is crucial that information must be
made available to their all employees and customers as per their requirements. Through
IT, human resources of Tesco have access to information which makes their daily work
easy (Kiran, Oudshoorn and Verbeek, 2015).
 Transaction processing: Transaction process within Tesco is simplified by usage of
information technology. TPS (Transaction Processing System) refers to process in which
transactions takes place in an organisation. Tesco can have their own transaction

information for capturing entire information related with their operations and activities. If
any kind of transactions will occur then it will be updated within database. This
information can be again utilised from centralised information storage network via
internet.
 Decision support: It is a highly interactive as well as flexible IT system which is
designed for supporting decision making when problems are not in structured manner and
they are assorted (Law, Buhalis and Cobanoglu, 2014). By usage of decision support
system within Tesco, they will be automatically making use of artificial intelligence for
creation of online analytical process. This will facilitate Tesco in carrying out decision
making tasks which needs relevant analysis and efforts.
Certain points are mentioned above which assist organisation to be successful or fail in their
respective business. With respect to Tesco, if these systems are implemented effectively within
organisation and used in accurate manner then it will lead to have accurate results. But in case if
they are not managed and all the execution is not carried out in appropriate manner then system
might not work as per required standard and may produce wrong results which can lead to failure
of business as accurate information will not be provided.
Ethical and social issues
Ethical issues: Ethics refers to reflection on morality. Basically, it refers to description of
making choices with respect to what is right and wrong by identification of choices. With respect
to ethical issues within information technology business success is completely dependent on
mobility of services as well as goods with high accuracy and speed (Marchewka, 2014). Certain
issues in terms of ethics within Tesco are elaborated below:
 Personal privacy concern: IT has a central role within different industries but it also
possess problematic implications. The data and information is exchanged on large scale
from different parts. There lies enhanced risk for revealing information as well as
violation of privacy of groups and individuals due to widespread dissemination. It is the
major responsibility and challenge for maintaining integrity and privacy of data of
individuals within Tesco as they have wide number of customers. This also comprises of
precautions from accidental disclosure or unauthorised access to intruders (Mehlman and
Li, 2014).