Introduction to Information Technology

This report provides an introduction to Information Technology and its importance in the digital world. It discusses different types of software, their importance, and whether software can exist independent of hardware. The report also highlights the significance of ethical and social issues in the digital world, the impact of internet and intranet on businesses, and the role of IT in helping managers to manage businesses.

Introduction to Information
Technology

TABLE OF CONTENT
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................3
MAIN BODY..................................................................................................................................3
Discuss different types of software. Which type of software is more important? Can software
exist independent of Hardware?..................................................................................................3
Ethical and social issues are increasingly becoming important in the digital world. Identify
and discuss the importance of them to run businesses,...............................................................5
Information and Communication Technology (ICT) makes a business more efficient and
effective in responding to customer needs. Discuss the impact of Internet and Intranet on
businesses:...................................................................................................................................6
Discuss the role of IT in helping managers to manage businesses. 1500...................................8
CONCLUSION..............................................................................................................................10
REFERENCES................................................................................................................................1

INTRODUCTION
Information technology is defined as the utilization of computers for creating, storing,
exchanging, processing and retrieving different kinds of information and data. IT is basically
used in context to the business operations, opposed to entertainment or personal technologies. It
forms the part of ICT, information and communication technology (Muhammedrisaevna,
Mubinovna and Kizi, 2020). IT also plays a crucial role in the world today for the non-profit
uses, for the commercial uses and for the personal uses. To be more precise, it is a computer
application and the application of other electronic gadgets that stores, receives, transmit,
manipulate and retrieve the data. IT is rapidly growing in today s' world as it is way easier to
store the data on computer than to maintain lengthy files (Chege and Wang, 2020). It also gives
advantage of the quick searching and also locks away the confidential informations under
various layers of the security codes and safeguard the information. Tesco Plc is an international
chain of supermarket that deals in number of lines such as the clothing, books, food items,
furniture, software, financial services etc. As the company operates on a large scale and also
deals in different financial services, it uses the information technology in all of its working, be it
the managing of the accounts or keeping the records or for the offering of its services (Samimi,
2020). Therefore, this report will illustrate various kinds of software and will also answer the
question of independent existence of the software without the hardware. The report will also
illustrate importance of the social and ethical issues in digital world, impact of the intranet and
internet on business and lastly, explanation of the role of IT in managing business.
MAIN BODY
Discuss different types of software. Which type of software is more important? Can software
exist independent of Hardware?
Software is defined as the group of instructions, programs or data that is used for
operating the computers and executing various tasks. Software is just diametrical of the
hardware. It is the applications, programs and the scripts that run on the computers and the
hardware is the physical aspect such as the computer itself (Nirmala and Jayaraman, 2020).
Software is a variable part and the hardware is an invariable part. Software is not of one kind and
therefore it encompasses different kinds such as:
 Application software
 System software

 Driver software
 Middleware software
 Programming software
Application software: It is the most common software as it is the package of computer software
that is engaged in performing the functions for an individual user and also for the other
applications (Chao and Hsu, 2021). An application software can be both, a set of different
programs which runs the following application for an individual or it can also be self-contained.
Graphics software, database programs, office suites, word processors, various tools of software
development, communication platforms, image editors, web browsers etc. are some examples of
the application software that are used on a daily basis by the world.
System software: It is a very important software as it is the software program which is designed
for the purpose of running the hardware and the application programs of the computer. It is the
software that is engaged in coordinating the activities as well as the functioning of the software
and the hardware (Haghshenas, 2019). This software also controls the computer's operations and
provide a platform for the other kind of software. One of the best example of system software is
the Operating system as it is engaged in managing all the programs of the computer.
Driver software: This software is defined as the device driver and often comes under the system
software. It controls the peripherals that are connected to the computer and enable them to
execute their individual tasks. Driver software is required by every peripheral which s connected
to the computer in order to function. Software that come alongside the non-standard hardware
encompassing the game controllers and the software required for enabling the standard hardware
for example the USB, keyboards, printers, storage devices and headphones are some example of
the driver software.
Middleware software: This is a software which mediates between the system software and the
application or between any two kinds of the application software (da Cruz And et.al., 2018). For
example: it enables the Microsoft windows to communicate with the word and excel.
Middleware is used to send the application with a different OS in one computer to another
application with a different OS in another computer.
Programming software: This software is used by the programmers to write code. This software
and its tools enable the developers to write, develop, debug and test the software programs.

Example of the programming software involve debuggers, interpreters, assemblers and
compilers.
Most important software
Each software that is designed till date is designed to serve some or the other purposes.
So every software holds a different importance. But when counting in terms of the most
important software, the Operating software is one of the most important software. OS comes
under the system software. It is the most important software as every computer that runs in the
world today is able to run because of the operating system. It is the ones that handles the
processes and memory of a computer and a computer's hardware and software. This is the
software that enables an individual to talk to the computer even without having a knowledge of
the computer's language. This particular software is also used by Tesco as it is one of the biggest
chain of supermarket and have number of operations that are needed to be managed by the
company. So for this particular purpose of keeping the record and for their daily functioning, the
company highly uses OS.
Can software exist independent of Hardware?
Both, the hardware and the software are the major part of a computer. To operate without
even one of them is impossible for the computer. Though a software and a hardware are
completely different from one another but without hardware there is no sense of a software.
Thus, it is important for the hardware and software to work and in hand in order to make a
computer work and make sense.
Ethical and social issues are increasingly becoming important in the digital world. Identify and
discuss the importance of them to run businesses,
The world today is evolving at a very fast speed. It is completely transformed into the
digitalization today and eventually everything in our lives today relate to the digitalization. But
along with it, as the digitalization is becoming one important part of the society, alongside the
ethics and the social responsibilities are also becoming important part of the society. As
everything is done online so it is highly required that ethics and social values should be taken
care in this digitalized world. There are many issues that keep on arising on daily basis such as
the : misuse of the personal information, the wrong use of AI., deep fakes, lack of responsibility
etc. are some issue that is making the whole digitalization go in a wrong direction. There is a

huge involvement of the social media platforms in our daily lives, where social media
influencers inspire the upcoming generation by almost showing their lives on the media. The
work done by them should be acknowledged and the knowledge should be utilized in a right
manner rather than exploiting the informations shared by them. There are also many issues
related to the confidentiality and privacy which is stopping number of people to use the digital
technology freely. The ethic and social values are very important as without the shared principle,
people risk exasperating the existing biases which are the part of current data sets.
Both the social and ethical values are very important for a business, as they are the key to
success. These values make the businesses to treat there employees with dignity as well as create
and environment of integrity at the workplace. Not only this, ethics also attract large number of
customers. As the time has evolved, the business line has also shifted to the E-commerce
industry which involves an important role of ethics because there are many frauds that are done
online. The entire industry of online business is slowly declining as there is lack of trust amongst
the customers towards the businesses. This is only because of the social and ethical issues that
take place online. There is a high risk of personal information getting used in wrong way by the
businesses, a high risk of fraud done by the business, lack of moral and various other problems
that come along. So to enhance the business, one should keep in mind the importance of ethics
and social responsibility as only that will help the business to grow by increasing the base of the
customers, increasing the staff members of the business ad spreading a good awareness about the
business.
Information and Communication Technology (ICT) makes a business more efficient and
effective in responding to customer needs. Discuss the impact of Internet and Intranet on
businesses:
Business world is rapidly transforming towards digitalization allowing them to improve
their business operation and dealing, previously, businesses were run on the basis of locality and
quality of the product when internet was not available (Zhou, Yang and Shao, 2016). However, it
is impossible to run a business without internet in today’s digital era, internet not only connect
brand with consumer but every business operation is now connected with internet. There are
certain impact of internet and intranet on businesses, these are:
Marketing opportunities: This is one of the most beneficial impact of internet on the business
unit, marketing was done with the help of print media and paper template before digital era in the

business. However, inclusion of internet allowed businesses to improve their marketing
operation, it is very clear that use of internet allow company to consider social media platform,
website, email, blogging and most importantly search engine to find best solution for the issue
faced by the business in the process. Internet helped business to boost their sales and growth to
attract consumer from different area of the world.
Online business opportunities: Due to rapid transformation in the digital technology,
businesses relay on internet and use of internet for further business operation. Online business
opportunities are being explored by the business while considering internet (Khanal and Mishra,
2016). For example; if a local store selling clothes consider internet then they will explore online
business opportunities like E-commerce selling, social media selling and direct selling through
official website of the company. In today’s world, every consumer is connected with internet
allowing them to search and find best product for their need and issue, the online business sales
is much more higher than traditional way of selling the products.
Efficient processes and operation: Business who consider intranet have more efficient and
effective business processes and operation because intranet is private network in the workplace
which connect device with each other. It is very clear that a workplace contains multiple device
where flow of information needs to remain fast, intranet allow workplace device to connect and
keep the flow speedy to improve operation and processes of the business (Soegoto and Rafi,
2018). With the help of intranet, people stay connected with each other, through private
networking and communication software and application, employee share information quickly.
Without intranet, workplace cannot enjoy speedy process and operation.
Improve employee engagement: Business who consider internet as key to manage business
operation have improved employee engagement in the workplace, it is very clear that employee
engagement is one of the most important element in the company allowing employee to share
knowledge, file, information and other resource which help company to achieve organizational
goal. Intranet reduce physical infrastructure involvement allowing company to innovate their
workplace as per the requirement, intranet provide clean and fast speed on internet, connection of
intranet cut off unnecessary interruption and allow employee to share information effectively.
Intranet reduce chance of cyber-attack which means workplace remain secured with the help of
intranet.

Business automation: Business automation simply means operation and task of business
performed on daily basis, internet allow business to ensure automation remain better in the
workplace. Internet connection allow business to complete certain task including operation and
management level task, without internet, business cannot run major task including software and
application to manage human resource, website and development of E-content to manage
marketing of the firm and most importantly internet for searching and solving certain issue faced
by the business in the process. Internet reduce human efforts and allow company to bring
betterment in the workplace.
Storage: Intranet is private network allow business to run their administration on private flow of
internet, today’s modern era intranet allow business to manage large and unstructured file.
Intranet provide effective connection between management and employee, sharing, cleaning and
storing of data to ensure flow of information remain stable. Management of document become
simpler with the help of intranet, employee able to reduce their stress and level of aggressive
behaviour because intranet solve the issue of storing and restoring. Intranet allow business to
level up their customer service as they provide clear and fast insight of the consumer and their
behaviour in the workplace.
Discuss the role of IT in helping managers to manage businesses. 1500
Information Technology (IT) is one of the most important term in the business world
allowing firm to manage their digital operation, IT currently trending in every sector as this not
only allow firm to have advance level of software and intelligence but this allow firm to continue
business growth. Information technology allow company to become stable in the market, IT and
IT service help business to complete complex and challenging task, without information
technology, business might face survival issue in the market (Bhaskar., 2016). There is certain
role of IT in managing businesses, these are:
Safeguarding data and information: This is one of the most important role of IT in the
business organization allowing firm to safeguard their data and information, manager focus on
including IT service to protect their data from cyber-attack. IT service including data security
help firm to ensure data and confidential information remain safe in the system. IT service. For
example; if cyber-attack ask employee to provide access then IT expert will ensure employee
stay away from such issue. Safeguarding data is one of the most challenging task in the business
organization, without the help of IT, businesses cannot safeguard their data and information.

Troubleshooting of problems: This is another major role of IT in managing business in the
process, troubleshooting is process of identifying and managing the issue accordingly. IT
department have ability to troubleshoot any digital issue arrived in the workplace, there are many
cases in which employee lock themselves in an issue related to cyber security, manager call IT
expert providing solution to the key issue they are facing. Trouble shooting of issue is one of the
most challenging task in the process, this allow IT to provide solution but still cyber-attack
impact performance of business in the market (Sofyani, Riyadh and Fahlevi, 2020).
Analyse data: Data analysis is one of the most important role of IT department in the business
organization, in today’s digital words, data solution and key findings from specific data allow
business to map their journey to the success. It is very clear that analysing data allow company to
ensure business remain continuous in the growth process and help firm to achieve their intended
goals and objectives. IT use AI (Artificial Intelligence) to manage and analyse key findings from
the internet and allow firm to find better solution. For example; IT provide insight of an industry
which help company to improve their marketing process.
Improving decision making: Businesses who consider IT for the management of operation have
ability to improve decision making process, IT play major role in decision making process of the
management. If a manager is making certain decision, then they will consider expertise and
advice from IT department who have insight of the market and industry analysis for the key
findings and ability. IT provide solution to business if facing any kind of issue in decision
making process. For example; in terms of marketing, IT provide details like customer behaviour,
industry insight, current trend, future demand of consumer and most importantly expected
outcome of marketing with analysis of each marketing campaign.
Provide competitive advantage: Role of IT is to manage business operation and dealing.
However, IT provide competitive advantage as well which means business with advance level of
IT system can manage business operation effectively and reduce human efforts in the
management process of the workplace. IT department find those solution and key findings which
allow firm to get competitive advantage in the market (Kasemsap, 2018). For example; IT
department solving current issue of ransomware which impact every business organization then
IT have major role in managing and gaining competitive advantage of the business organization.
It is very clear that gaining competitive advantage with the help of IT is one of the most

challenging task for the firm but today’s digital technology allow firm to consider IT for better
solution and mainly for the basis of competition.
CONCLUSION
This report has discussed information technology and role of information technology to
manage business operation and discussed its impact over firm. Later this report has discussed
different type of software and its important in the workplace. Later this report has discussed
ethical and social issue faced by the business in the digital world, this report has highlighted
certain type of ethical and social issue which impact performance of firm in the market. Later
this report has discussed impact of internet and intranet on the business organization and key role
of internet and intranet in the business world. At last, this report has discussed role of IT in the
management of businesses.

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