Information Technology: Types of Business Software, Ethical and Social Issues, and Impact of ICT on Business Entities

This report discusses the importance of Information Technology (IT) in business operations, including the use of different types of business software such as payroll software, customer relationship management software, communication software, and inventory control systems. It also highlights the ethical and social issues that arise in the digital world, such as personal privacy, harmful actions, and piracy. Additionally, the report explains the impact of ICT on business entities, including improved communication, cutting through cultural barriers, and better customer service. The report focuses on Sainsbury, the second largest retail organization in the UK.

Information
Technology

ABSTRACT
Information Technology is based on the use of computer systems or any kind of physical
devices that helps business to raise its productivity and efficiency level. It helps in developing
the networks of business to create, share and store the information. There are various types of
software that are beneficial for the company. Each software delivers their own benefits to the
business. Business faces many ethical and social issues that can harm the reputation and
goodwill of organisation. So, they need to do and adopt ethical and social practices. ICT helps
businesses to have smoother and faster flow of communication. Internet and intranet is a part of
this report. Also, with the right use of IT, a business manager can deal with several functions and
issues of company.

Table of Contents
ABSTRACT.....................................................................................................................................2
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................4
TASK...............................................................................................................................................4
Different types of business software...........................................................................................4
Explain several types of ethical and social issues which are increasing in digital world...........7
Value of Information and Communication Technology. Also, explain the impact of Intranet
and Internet on business entities.................................................................................................8
The role of Information Technology.........................................................................................10
CONCLUSION..............................................................................................................................11
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................12
Books and Journals:..................................................................................................................12

INTRODUCTION
Information Technology (IT) relates with everything that organisations exploits computer
for. IT is developing computer networks for a business organisation, protecting information and
data, evolving and administrating databases, doing a range of other work to make sure the
efficiency as well as security of business information systems, assisting workers troubleshoot
issues with their mobile devices and computer. Demand for experts in this domain is high and
increasing and people come into this field have a range career options to select from. It uses
computer or any physical devices to generate, process, save, safeguard and exchange all kinds of
electronic or digital information (Barabash and et.al., 2020). Typically, information technology is
beneficial for business operations, as contradictory to technology exploited for individual or
entertainment purposes. The commercial exploitation of IT is based on telecommunications and
computer technology. Sainsbury Company is taken into consideration to make this report. It is
known as the second largest retail organisation in UK, with 16.0% share of the retail industry.
John Sainsbury was the founder of this organisation. The headquarter of this supermarket is
established in London, UK. It has world-wide business operations which is split into three main
divisions; Sainsbury Supermarkets, Sainsbury Argos and Bank. In the current report, different
kinds of business software will be explained. In digital world, business organisation faces several
ethical and social issues which is vital to understand. So, it will also outline those issues in
respect of businesses. Information and communication technology helps companies to be more
effective and efficient in responding to needs and requirements of customers. Along with this, it
will also identify the impact and influence of intranet and internet on organisations. Lastly, the
role of IT will be elaborated which support managers to manage business functions.
TASK
Different types of business software.
Business Software is also known as business application. This is defined as any type of
software or set of computer programs utilised by companies to do different business activities.
These business software are utilised to advance the productivity level, to measure productivity as
well as to perform business activities in an accurate manner (Chen and Yang, 2019). The key
purpose is to realise the certain goals through applied principles that the business software
assists. The business managers needs to identify what types of software will be most appropriate

to the specific business requirements. These software tools will be needed and beneficial for both
small and larger organisations. In respect of Sainsbury, as this business is a global company
necessitates to hold its own unique and necessary needs to make sure its smooth flow of business
operations. This is a business with large employee base will require a more encompassing
payroll software, on the other side, it has a strong clientele which will require an accurate time
tracking application in order to have elaborated documentation of work is being completed for
customers. Hence, identifying and comprehending what type of business software is going to be
the most efficacious in advancing the worth to the business practices is significant in making
smart decisions of business. Different types of business software in respect of Sainsbury are as
below:
 Payroll Software: It is defined as the one of top accounting software tools for small
enterprises to utilise is payroll software. For example Xero software is a quality payroll
software application which lets small enterprises to efficiently and accurately process
payroll, superannuation payments, pay slips, year-end bonuses and much more (Chopdar
and Sivakumar, 2019). Payroll software allows smooth flow of business operations and
ensures that employees' morale and satisfaction is kept high in the business through
competent management of pay. It supports in employees get their pays on time and
correctly, along with keeping comprehensive track of the expense of paying employees
is an essential portion of ensuring business runs in a smooth way.
 Customer relationship management software: This tool aims to support business
organisation in maintaining and developing healthy relationship with clients and to drive
business growth is to utilise a CRM software tool with a purpose to better assess the
solutions in which the company interacts with its clientele base. Organisations such as
Sainsbury offers users with a straightforward interaction and show information in a
simple way to comprehend market trends with a purpose to allow small business
operators to attain valuable vision into business relationships, drive business sales and
boost customer retention (Gupta and et.al., 2021). This software aims to gain a deep
understanding of their interaction both with potential and existing customers. When a
business is having a better acknowledgement of customers in the marketplace is
beneficial to attain significant business growth, letting to recognise suitable areas to use

marketing resources as well make optimum utilisation of the tool available to increase
the organisational performance.
 Communication software: Efficient and effective communication, both internally and
externally is important to the smooth and successful business operations of any
company. Communication software such as Slack or Skype will let the employees and
team members to communicate and coordinate more effectively on all tasks and projects
and enable company to engage with workers and customers irrespective of their locality.
Also, effective exploitation of communication software can help business to expand the
horizon of markets. The respective supermarket can also exploit cloud based system
integrator to link all the current tools (Kara, Baytemir and Inceman-Kara, 2021). It helps
in evolving centralised database that lets allows corroborated users to approach reports at
any time as well as deal seamlessly with other areas.
 Inventory control system: This software aims to monitor stock levels, automates cycle
counts, turnover rates and updates. Integrating inventory systems with reclamation ways
allows automated reorder points as well as point of systems to express actual amount on
all items. It also benefits in reducing the need of allot workers to manually record, count
and cross examine stock across different localities, saving money and time. It also helps
in detecting error and mistakes so that management of warehouse can rectify the
situation promptly.
Benefits of business software:
 Quality and consistency: System software makes sure that all operations are done
uniformly and making accordant outcomes. Hence, company can make sure their
workflow is pursuant and demand the similar results each time.
 Time savings: It helps employees to concentrate on automatic labour on more difficult
tasks, restricting human error and time as well.
 Reduced labour costs: Manual working in the organisation leads expenditure and time
consumption and can also leads to human errors that often need extra costs to
accommodate discrepancies. Hence, business software makes sure that organisation are
limiting the resources required to do general processes.
Downside of business software:

 Inefficiency: It is true that organisational tools rises the productivity but having too many
software will result in opposite effect. Switching between tools and apps become a
regular routine when there is a tool for everything. Hence, multitasking increases
inefficiency and distraction at the same time (Khan and Idris, 2019).
 Implementation woes: Using different software solutions is expensive and time-
consuming. The setup costs are generally high. Time requires to be spend in training,
integrating old systems, on-boarding as well. Hence, each of such steps can take huge
time from the management and employees as well.
Explain several types of ethical and social issues which are increasing in digital world.
Digitalization aims to utilise digital technology to change a business model and offer new
revenue, together with value generating opportunities. It relates with the process of shifting to a
digital business. Ethics for certain generates a buzz in the world of business. Ethical issues in
businesses involves how it treat others, engage with employees, utilise information, approach
sustainability, manage resources and impact the world as how all view organisations. In addition
to Sainsbury, it faces diverse ethical issues with the use of digital technology in the business.
Some are discussed underneath:
 Personal privacy: This is significant aspect of ethical issues in IT as it serves the users
having their own operating systems, hardware and software tools to approach the servers
that are associated to each other and to the utiliser by a network. Due to the reason of
dispersion of the network on a large scale, information and data shift in a massive quality
takes place which leads to the invisible chances of revealing information and disturbing
the seclusion of any group or individuals (Li and et.al., 2019). Hence, this is a big
challenge for the company and IT department to keep the privacy and integrity of
information.
 Harmful actions: It is refers to the negative and harmful consequences to the IT such as
loss of property, loss of important information, destruction of property, together with
undesirable substantial impacts. This principle of ethical construct limits any extrinsic
parties from the exploitation of IT in way leads to any damage to any to nay users,
employers, employees and the general public. Typically, it involves knowing alteration o
destruction of the program or files which drives to harmful loss of resources.

 Piracy: This relates with an activity in which the development of unlawful copy of the
software is developed. It is completely up to the software’s owner as to whether or not
users can generate backup copies of their software. As laws are imposed for copyright
protection are developing, legislation also aims to stop unaccredited duplication of tool is
in consideration.
Social issues in the digital world relates with the impact of many people within the
community. This is group of general issues in current time society as well as ones that many
individuals strive to solve (Lvovich and et.al., 2021). In respect of Sainsbury, some of the social
issues are discussed underneath:
 Communication breakdown: Socialising within the business family or in personal life
is always been a significant aspect as it fortifies the relationships between individuals and
makes sure the connectedness within the group. But, with the more individuals owning
many computer systems and mobile devices to access information or any purpose, lacks
the communication between person to person. Advancement in digital media allows
business organisation to enhance the productivity level but also increase the distraction to
the life and others as well.
 Cyber bullying: As with the disparagement of public figures, the computers and internet
have also evolved it easier for vindictive people attack they know on personal basis and
perfect strangers through faceless platforms that are available to them. It has increase the
harmful incidents of cyber bullying covering both adults, youngsters and children with
tragic implications.
Value of Information and Communication Technology. Also, explain the impact of Intranet and
Internet on business entities.
Information and Communication Technology (ICT) encompasses all the digital
technology that helps individuals, companies and businesses in utilising information. It includes
all involves all electronic items that deal with the data in a digital form. Hence, ICT is obsessed
with electronic data storage, recovery and sending (Mayer, Madden and Wu, 2020). Hence. ICT
aims to utilization of technologies that individuals utilise to covey data, message or
conversations. The key aim is to communicating that information, rather than just assembling,
saving and investing. In context of Sainsbury, the importance of ICT is described below:

 IT improves the communication: Emails had changed the manner that workers
interacted and communicated with each other. It is found that digital communication aims
to deliver faster message than a telephonic call or letter. In present times, social media nd
smartphones delivers various benefits to the employees as they can get responses from
their team mates within few seconds if they exploit the right communication tools. IT
introduced cloud computing which enables employees to access essential information
when they are not in the business premises (Rangriz and Bayrami Shahrivar, 2019).
There is no requirement to connect to a hard drive when employees use cloud storage. A
crucial advantages of ICT is in its abilities to streamline communication both inside and
outside way. For examples, Skype, Zoom or GoToMeeting offer respective business the
work on remote basis and in real time, while limiting the costs that come with having on
site clients or communicating with employees who work from their home.
 IT cuts through cultural barriers: Diversity is something that business continue to
attempt for despite laws in UK that prohibits discrimination based on gender, race or age
that make an individual uniquely different. The positive side of ICT is Artificial
Intelligence which does not mechanically come with the similar filters of which people
are wonted. An electronic device does not care if an individual is a female or male, if the
prospect candidates' CV meets the predetermined qualifications for the work. ICT can
bring to diversity by making of operating systems.
 ICT provides better customer services: IT open the door of cloud connections to
provide the new kinds of services to customers. In case of Sainsbury, it can now respond
rapidly to the queries of customer through new channels such as instant chat on social
media. They can share the new images and videos of products and services to the
customers in order to promote among them.
Internet: The internet defines as a world-wide connected network of computers that
allows people to share the message, interact and communicate with each other. In addition to
Sainsbury, the impact of internet on business is defined below:
 The superfluity of information on the internet allows companies to learn about the current
market trends that may influence them, discover products that could improve the services,
observe the behaviour consumers and boost the knowledge of the industry. It also
supports customers to identify goods and services that are appropriate for them. The

amount of information and reviews about company on the internet supports customers
feel more in control while comfy with devising a purchase.
 The internet supports business to discover talent with simplicity because of the
exploitation of online job boards, along with career based social networking. It enables
company to research items in demand to attain control over a niche.
Intranet: It is restricted to local or regional area that allows people to save, organise and
share information within the business. The use of intranet also supports Sainsbury in numerous
ways.
 Intranet intends to allow organic knowledge sharing to develop as the individual to
individual links boost and strengthen across the business (Summerton, 2021). The
knowledge of company can evolve in a fast way even with remote employees as more
people communicate their learnings.
 It supports with an integrated chat feature which make discussions easier. At least, one is
able to ditch the atrocious reply all email while having productive talks away from
blowzy inboxes.
 Most intranets intends to become the central digital hub for companies. It is place where
conversations happen, business events and news are shared and planned. Intranet aims to
bring people all together from different locations.
The role of Information Technology.
In respect of Sainsbury, information technology supports business managers to manage
and handle various business activities and operations effectively and efficiently. From sending an
email, to modify the passwords, approaching database and much more in between IT are there to
support every phase of the way. The role of IT in respond to it is as follows:
 Safeguarding data and information: The key aim is to protect the information from any
kind of compromise. The IT domains ensures that information is protected against any
kind of loss, destruction, misuse or alteration of the business. IT supports managers to
have an understanding of data protection laws so that data won't be corrupted, lost or
compromised.
 Troubleshooting of problems: It relates with the problem-solving in the world of
digitalisation. It can be applied to a range of different things such as processes on a PC,
repairing of failed digital items and much more. When an issue is troubleshoot, a logical

and systematic search is carried out for the source of an issue in order to rectify it and
evolve the good full operational again (Zharova, 2019). IT experts supports the worker
who has locked themselves out of their computer, or cannot get approach to a certain
drive or forgotten a password. Hence, IT is generally a fast call away from getting
problems fixed.
CONCLUSION
From the above mentioned report, it has been concluded that information technology is
crucial to the business success as it affects in numerous ways. It is identified that information
technology supports business to realise better control as well as management of resources of the
business. This report identified various types of software or tools that could help organisation in
creating productivity and efficiency. These tools of CRM software, Payroll software, and much
more. In addition to this, the report also outlined different kinds of ethical and social issues that
affects business. Furthermore, the report also shed lights on the impact of internet and intranet on
the business operations as both are essential to use and delivers different benefits to the business.
Lastly, it has been known that IT helps business managers to handle business activities and
supports in safeguarding information and data which are confidential to the company.

REFERENCES
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Gupta, A. and et.al., 2021. Social comparison and continuance intention of smart fitness
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