Introduction to Information Technology

This document provides an introduction to information technology and its role in business, including the use of network technologies, ethical and social issues, and the importance of intranet and internet. It also explains the different stages of the system development cycle.

INTRODUCTION TO
INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

TABLE OF CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................3
LITERATURE REVIEW................................................................................................................3
Information technology and its role in retail business.................................................................3
Network technologies and its types.............................................................................................4
Ethical and social issues of using technologies...........................................................................5
Importance of intranet and internet in business...........................................................................6
Different states of system development cycle.............................................................................7
ANALYSES ....................................................................................................................................8
CONCLUSION................................................................................................................................8
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................10

INTRODUCTION
Information technology defined as the use of storage, computer, networking and other
kind of devices that aids to create, process, secure and exchange all forms of electronic data.
Therefore, IT termed out as to design and implementation of computer networks in terms to
undertake effective processing an communication of data.
The present report is based on the business activities of banking sector as Barclays Plc. It
is British multinational investment bank and this entity is engaged in financial services.
Furthermore, study will define the role of IT in success or failure of business. Thus,
issues in context of social and ethical will be defined in context to running businesses. Also,
significance of intranet and internet will be explained. Lastly, explaination will be given on
different states of system development.
LITERATURE REVIEW
Information technology and its role in retail business
As per the view of Bhaskar, (2016) technology has become the essential part of
organisation, use of advance IT tools aids business in conducting operations globally in
significant manner. Information technology (IT) can be defined as object or software that is used
by companies to record and manage all the necessary information that are essential to run
business successfully. In the recent time every big organisation has developed own IT
department that takes care of computers, technical equipment’s etc. and ensure that transmission
of information is done in systematic manner so that data can be protected.
According to Mohamad, Ramayah and Lo, (2017) IT plays the role of communicator in
retail companies, as enterprise has to circulate its information to all departments and also have to
aware all employees with necessary changes. Through IT tools firm maintain relationship with
employees, suppliers and other stakeholders. By using email firm can easily inform to investors
about progress of business. Use of social media helps in making video chats with employees and
consumers so that they can become positive towards brand and retain in retail firm for longer
duration. Milovanović and Gligorijević, (2017) argued that inventory management is another
role played by information technology. IT tools are helpful in managing stock, keeping good
records of all inventories. By this way issues related to over stock or lack of stock can be avoided
(Role of Information Technology in Business, 2019). Retail stores have to analyses market
demand and accordingly it has to maintain stock so that they can meet the demand. Use of

various IT software gives benefit to retail stores in measuring quality of raw material and
maintaining warehouse records.
According to Popovič and et.al., (2018) IT plays the role of relationship builder, as it
helps in managing customer relationship by using CRM system. This software aids retail firm in
interacting with consumers effectively and make sound purchase decisions of raw materials so
that consumers can receive satisfactory goods and services every time in retail stores.
Network technologies and its types
According to Yun and et.al., (2016) network technology can be defined as connectivity of
two or more computers to share information. Networks can be connected through optic, satellite
or through wireless systems. By using these technologies companies can share their important
information to other across the world. Personal area network (PAN) is the most common and
simple network which is made through wireless modem. This is used to connect printers,
computers. This is very basic network technology that is used inside the premises that means
computer or other equipment’s that needs to be connected must be available in same building
only. This is used by small companies or residential purposes.
As per the view of Leonhardt and et.al., (2017) Local area network (LAN) is original
network type that is used to connect group pf computers those which are available at short
distance. This LAN system is used to share files and other applications. It is the private network
that is not controlled by any other body. This has high speed; this is most effective network
because it gives benefit of sharing devices hence company can reduce its cost of buying any kind
of hardware. For example if entity requires printer for other department then retail store needs
not to buy it again because through LAN technology company can connect system to printer
hence it reduces purchasing cost of business unit (Types of networks: Main 5 types of computer
networks, 2019). Another great benefit of using LAN is that data management can be done
effectively in this application as user can store their data on hard disk and can be used in future
as well. This is the benefit of LAN that internet can be shared among LAN users. On other hand
there are some drawback of using LAN technology as it requires constant LAN administration
otherwise it may cause difficulty in managing data effectively. LAN admin has right to check
any detail of LAN users. Hence privacy is not there which make it ineffective in retail stores.
Kitsios and Kamariotou, (2017) stated that Metropolitan area (MAN) is the network that
helps in connecting different computers that are available at different cities or locations. This

network is bale to connect system that ae available at distance of maximum 50km. this network
uses fibres or cable for connectivity. This is great network technology that enhances
communication because it uses optic fibre cables that raises speed. As it has extensive size
which provides support in performing task effectively.
Ethical and social issues of using technologies
As per the view of Bhaskar, (2016) ethics are such principles that is related to moral or
show accuracy of behaviour. Cybercrime is one of the challenge or issue of using technologies,
in the recent time many companies are using advance software to improve their operational
efficiency. But due to use of these technologies many people get information about others and
bully them. Many people are using these technologies and committing crime. This is creating
financial loss to firms and also affecting their brand image as well. In addition to it, criminals get
access to information in regards to credit card that leads to financial loss to the owners of cards.
However, this can be stated that the improper use of IT can create the issues for the both
organisation as well employees. Information system raise varied ethical question to the both
individual and societies and this creates opportunities and intense social changes.
Milovanović and Gligorijević, (2017) stated that privacy has become the major social issue
in use of technologies, many companies use advance software to keep their data protected. But
hackers misuse these data and use for commercial purpose which is wrong. Many unauthorised
viruses enter into the computers and use or steal sensitive information of business which is the
ethical issue associated with technologies.
Bhaskar, (2016) Stated that there are number of the enterprise that monitors employees
and visitors to collect additional information on behalf of security. Thus, ethical issues arises due
to continual monitoring of activities of employees and by undertaking the recording of security
camera images. In current era, there are number of hackers who get access to private information
of public and this leads to create the ethical issues.
In contrary to Leonhardt and et.al., (2017) stated that the falsification of the financial
information can put the working of the entity in danger. Therefore, banking sector faced the wide
range of obstacles with their stakeholders and this creates the serious offence in terms to both
ethical and judicial standard. Also, the use of information techniques can creates the wide errors
and this also affected the working of the enterprise.

Milovanović and Gligorijević, (2017) Stated that the advent of the information technology
advancement run all the business activities effectively but this also creates the pressure on IT
experts to ensure the accuracy and availability of these system. In addition to this, pressure
results into the stress and work load that leads to results into imperfection.
Stated that information technological advancement has made easy for users to get reach to
information. Therefore, the increased development of music sharing network and photo
bookmarking site are loosing the credibility of their own work. This is happening due to users of
IT as they can easily gain access and also share the data with friends. Therefore, individual
privacy is termed out as area that has been identified as one of the effective base for unethical
business behaviour through application of technological advancement.
Importance of intranet and internet in business
Internet
As per the view of Popovič and et.al., (2018) internet is the most common application that is
used by wide range of people globally. This has become the most common form of
communication now a days. Many companies are taking advantage by using internet as it helps
them to interact with employees of other location branch. Information can be shared too far
locations in significant manner. This is most powerful tool that aids business in reducing their
operational cost and minimising wastage of paper. by using internet companies can improve their
customer service because it helps in knowing more about needs of consumers through these
technologies (Business Uses of the Internet, Intranets & Extranets, 2017).
Significance of internet on business-
Leonhardt and et.al., (2017) stated that widespread use of the internet has made the
functionaries of the business enterprise more flexible. Its led to open the new opportunities for
advertising and brand building. In the interconnected era, the number of business enterprises can
undertake the leverage of internet to market the commodities, generate the leads and to reach the
target audience at the right time. Therefore, the importance outlined as-:
Provide superior customer’s experience- Digital advancement helps to carry out the business
activities effectively in terms to attract, retain and engage their customers in more efficiently
with lower cost. In the current era, the enterprise are using advancement of Pay per click system
that aids to reach the right audience at right time. Also, marketing automation supports to track
the journey of customer’s and allows to reach potential clients with use of multiple channel.

Allows global access- In the era of globalisation, the expansion of business activities has
become one of wide opportunity. By the use of e-commerce, the entities have access to reach
global audience. With the use of web based technological advancement can assist to bring
improvement in teamwork, enhance the workplace productivity and free up the employees.
Therefore, well design social media go viral within the few time and this leads to generate high
amount of profitability.
Intranet-
Kitsios and Kamariotou, (2017) argued that intranet is the tool that companies are using
for internal communication only. This is the easy way through which employees of one company
can interact with each other through email. This is beneficial in sharing information internally
quickly and also support towards streamline business process. Statistical records of World tour
Live 20069 reflect that use of intranet is helpful in reducing cost of company up to 192000.
Significance of intranet on business-
Kitsios and Kamariotou, (2017) Stated that intranet aids to automate operations and daily
workflows that enables to conduct better decision making. Therefore, this allows firm to keep the
documents up to date and this also enables hassle free sharing among the employees. Henceforth,
the significance are outlined as-:
 Better internal communication- It is termed out as one of the effective communication
tool for the staff. This support to gather the corporate information such as memos,
announcement and staff new centrally and access at any time.
 Sharing of resource and best practice- This aids to create virtual workplace and
community that facilitate the better information sharing, storing and collaborative
working. Henceforth, this can be used as one of training platform that offering online
training content to staff.
 Better customer service- It allows the better reach to accurate and consistent
information with the staff. This results in order to enhance level of customer service.
Different states of system development cycle.
Bhaskar, (2016) Stated that System development cycle can be termed out as the long
term embedded approach within the field of information technology. This model offers the
technical and non technical activities that delivers quality system that meet or exceeds the
business expectations. Henceforth, these are outlined as-:

 Planning- The main aim is to identify the scope of the issue and to undertake the steps
that aids to determine the solutions. It is inclusive of resources, time, cost and benefits
must be considered.
 System analysis and requirement- It is defined as the functional requirement of the
project. This is where the system analysis analyse the needs of end users. It assist to
ensure the new system and allows to meet the expectations.
 System design- It is third stage that defines the crucial specification, operation and
features that satisfy the functional requirements of proposed system.
 Development- It is stage that signifies the initiative of production activities.
 Integration and design- This is carried out by quality assurance professional that
determines the proposed design that meet the initial set of business objectives.
 Implementation- It is termed out as when majority of programme is written and project
starts to implemented to gain success in activities.
 Operations and Maintenance- It is required for the longer time for large system and
short time for the smaller system.
ANALYSES
From the above part this can be analysed that information technology is the advancement
that can be used to collect information. Thus, main use of IT is to undertake the innovation and
invention that leads towards the path of business success. It is one of the effective tool in banking
sector as this allows the enterprise to manage and conduct work practices efficiently. With the
use of advancement of IT the bank can able to world wide access and can offers the customer
best services.
CONCLUSION
From the above report it can be summarized that information technology plays vital role
and this also integral party of each business enterprise. The present report has covered the
business activities of Barclays, it is banking sector that provides financial services to customer’s.
Furthermore, report has analysed the role of IT in banking sector and also determined the
ethical and social issues that pertains to running business activities. Also, study has covered
varied networking techniques as LAN, MAN etc. Moreover, it has explained the importance of
intranet and internet on business activities. Lastly, assignment has covered the system
development cycle to carry out the business activities effectively.

REFERENCES
Books and Journals
Bhaskar, H. L., 2016. A critical analysis of information technology and business process
reengineering. International Journal of Productivity and Quality Management. 19(1).
pp.98-115.
Kitsios, F. and Kamariotou, M., 2017. Strategic IT alignment: Business performance during
financial crisis. In Advances in Applied Economic Research (pp. 503-525). Springer,
Cham.
Leonhardt, D. and et.al., 2017. Reinventing the IT function: the role of IT agility and IT
ambidexterity in supporting digital business transformation.
Milovanović, S. and Gligorijević, Ž., 2017. The Role of Information and Communication
Technologies in Transformation of Tourism Business and Markets. Teme. pp.105-117.
Mohamad, A. A., Ramayah, T. and Lo, M. C., 2017. Knowledge management in MSC Malaysia:
The role of information technology capability. International Journal of Business &
Society. 18.
Popovič, A. and et.al., 2018. The impact of big data analytics on firms’ high value business
performance. Information Systems Frontiers. 20(2). pp.209-222.
Yun, J. J. and et.al., 2016. The relationship between technology, business model, and market in
autonomous car and intelligent robot industries. Technological Forecasting and Social
Change. 103. pp.142-155.
Online
Business Uses of the Internet, Intranets & Extranets. 2017. [Online]. Available through <
https://bizfluent.com/info-8108761-business-uses-internet-intranets-extranets.html>
Role of Information Technology in Business. 2019. [Online]. Available through <
https://bizfluent.com/facts-5977213-role-information-technology-business.html>
Types of networks: Main 5 types of computer networks. 2019. [Online]. Available through <
https://www.router-switch.com/faq/types-of-networks.html>

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