Introduction to Information Technology

This document provides an introduction to information technology, its key role in business success, ethical and social issues, different networking technologies, the importance of social media in business, and the stages of the software development life cycle. The case study focuses on HSBC Bank Plc and its use of information technology.

Introduction to
information technology

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................1
MAIN BODY..................................................................................................................................1
Identification of key role of information technology within business success or failure............1
Finding ethical addition to social issues that are concerned with running businesses................2
Identification and comparison of distinct networking technologies types..................................3
Importance of social media in business.......................................................................................5
Stages that are part of software development life cycle..............................................................5
ANALYSIS AND DISCUSSION...................................................................................................7
Potential benefits and drawbacks of company to make investment in information technology. 7
CONCLUSION................................................................................................................................8
REFERENCES................................................................................................................................9

INTRODUCTION
Concept of information technology is refereed to all things which organisation use
computers for (Camero and Alba, 2019). In other words, it is about building computer network
for an entity, safeguarding information, assisting manpower troubleshoot issues with devises and
performing range of other practices with the hope of ensuring security of information systems. In
all kinds of venture, information technology plays significant role internally and externally. It is
more essential in entities than before as it enhances productivity with efficient savings of time
and money. For the report, HSBC Bank Plc is selected organisation that performs working in
service sector. It is an international banking business that have network in around 80 nations.
The report highlights role of IT in business success, issues concerned with running an
organisation and various kinds of networking technologies. It further discusses significance of
social media and stages which are part of software development life cycle.
MAIN BODY
Identification of key role of information technology within business success or failure
In accordance to (Iyamu, 2017), information technology is essential for driving
innovation that is a path towards success of an establishment. Computer technology is widely
adopted across the business world and have became vital for all operations in modern scenario.
In case with HSBC Bank Plc, information technology helps in effective communication and
collaboration with other units of establishment across great distances to make smarter choices.
Some of roles played by information technology in relevance to success of HSBC Bank Plc are
as identified:
Source of support along with security: In modern world, information technology plays
foremost role of supporting numerous processes which increases business productivity. It enables
manpower of an organisation to use fewer resources that enables on improving quality of
services along with improves speed for deliver to customers (Agrawal, Kumar and Mukti, 2020).
Within HSBC Bank Plc, information technology plays key role of making it easier to store wider
information through maintaining integrity of data together with storing confidential information
that reflects on less vulnerability of breach of data leading to the path of business success.
Customer relationship management: In service businesses, information technology
have role of improving the aspects In which managers design addition to manage relationships
1

with customers for better functioning. Role of IT in customer relationship management system
capture each interaction that an organisation have with potential and prospective customers for
enriching possible experience. In association to HSBC Bank Plc, information technology plays
role of storing each interaction in CRM system so to have better along with focused experiences
that benefits in improving productivity leading to organisational success.
Information technology guides organisation for surviving and succeeding in the
competitive world. Within the digital era, managers of HSBC Bank Plc have framed and
executed effective decision to use information technology with the purpose of leveraging its
advantaged along with performing best practices in all walks of business life.
Finding ethical addition to social issues that are concerned with running businesses
Issues are the complexities or difficulties that are faced by a running business
(Chatzoglou and Chatzoudes, 2018). Some of issues that are associated to running business of
HSBC Bank Plc in context to information technology are as follows:
Ethical issues:
Patents: For a running business, ethical issue of patent is difficult to overcome. A patent
have possibilities to preserve secret as well as unique aspect of an idea. In case with HSBC Bank
Plc, it is essential to reveal full details about any of its programme to professionals while
building any program. In this, revealing limited information about the program is against ethics
of a running business.
Cyber crime: It is using information technology with the purpose of committing crimes.
It ranges from annoying computer users for massive financial losses (Tur Porcar, Roig-Tierno
and Llorca Mestre, 2018). In Banking sector, growth of smartphones as well as high end mobile
devices which have Internet access contributes in growth of the issue. Managers of HSBC Bank
Plc have faced cyber crime through multiple forms of phishing along with illicit installation of
malware.
Social Issues:
Communication breakdown: In service sector, socialising with people is always been
significant because it strengthens bond among organisation and ensures cohesion within
relationship. However, when more and more people own various computers as well as portable
devices that grant access to information then it causes social issue of lack of communication in
2

within running scenario. In relevance to HSBC Bank Plc, when each member engrossed in
smartphone, tablet or other devises than it have chances to face communication breakdown.
Determine theft: Theft is another social issue that have evolve in use of information
technology with running of banking institutions (He and Harris, 2020). Herein, information
technology manager of HSBC Bank Plc faces the issue wherein personal details related to clients
and customers are harvested by third party for malicious purposes. It often comprises illicit
online transactions along with damaging practices which have serious ramifications.
Identification and comparison of distinct networking technologies types
Network technology refers to technology that is used for the exchange of data between
large and small information. This technology is may be used in business and educational
institutes and its technicians have full knowledge about its installation, troubleshooting,
configuration and it is also utilise for sending data like visual, audio and data. Users can send
files by emails or by using other channels depending of organisations requirements with network
technology (Hou, 2019). In context to HSBC Bank Plc., network technology has helped them to
manage huge transactions with ease and they have become cost effective in handling their
payments. With the help of network technology they have introduced online payment and deposit
kind of facilities to provide customers and their employees a simple and easy experience.
Differences among various networking technologies
Basis Wide area
network
Local area
network
Virtual private
network
Metropolitan
area network
Definition Wide area
network implies
network that
covers larger
geographical
areas. It can be
contained in
country or several
parts of countries.
Local area
network implies
that computer
network which
interconnects
computers within
limited area
(Vidal and et.al.,
2019).
Virtual private
network provides
online secrecy
and anonymity by
creating private
network from
public internet
connection.
Metropolitan area
network is a class
of network which
interlink its users
with computer
resources within
geographical
region which is
said to be a size
of metropolitan
3

area.
Purposes In HSBC Bank
Plc, it is utilise
to transfer data to
and from their
branches in order
to manage daily
activities
regardless of
location.
LAN technology
connects
computer
hardware of
HSBC Bank Plc
to ensure that
transactions takes
place without any
obstacle within
its localised
area.
It is a wired
connections that
link computers
with each other.
In HSBC Bank
Plc, use of VPN
technology is
done through
tunnelling
protocols for the
purpose of
encrypting
together with
decrypting data at
ends of receiver
with server.
In bank, MAN
technology
provide dual bus
that helps in
transmission of
data in both
direction. It cover
entire city or
various blocks of
city and act as
backbone for their
large network
(Sabir and et.al.,
2017).
Elements Router, gateway
and bridge that
connects to
various networks
are elements of
WAN technology.
Essential
elements of LAN
technology are
printers, scanners,
nodes, HUB,
workstation and
network interface
card.
Elements of VPN
covers key
management ,
encryption of
data,
authentication,
packet integrity,
protocols and a
network.
Important
elements of MAN
technology are
size of network,
data rates, high
seed broadband
access, uplinks,
network provider,
regional
resources,telepho
nes and cables.
4

Importance of social media in business
In modern businesses, social media is popular as computer based technology which
facilitates in transmission of thoughts, information together with ideas by developing virtual
networks as well as communities (Holsapple, Hsiao and Pakath, 2018). In an organisation, main
objective of using social media is to develop a brand together with enhance visibility of the
brand. Within HSBC Bank Plc, use of social media is modifying its old mainstream to
opportunities of work. Following are some importance of social media with HSBC Bank Plc:
Relationship management: In service sector, social media is significant as it guides to
form bonds such as financial bond, structural bond as well as relational bond with customers. By
adopting suitable social media campaign, managers of HSBC Bank Plc are able to build and
manage relationship with customers without having face to face interactions. A well devised
social media strategy or use of suitable social media platform helps managers of the company to
build a psychological attachment among banking institutions and consumers.
Enhancing website traffic: The term website traffic is said to amount of information
sent together with received through visitors to an organisational website. Social media post
addition to ads are some approaches for driving traffic on website of a company. In case with
HSBC Bank Plc, social media plays important role of increasing website traffic by sharing great
content from blog. Moreover, transmitting content to social channels is also a great approach for
business to get customers (Alshuaibi. and et.al. 2018). When IT managers of a banking
institution takes part in social chats then they are able to enhance brand visibility, showcase
expertise, get attention from new population and so on that leads to driving website traffic.
Better satisfaction of customers: Social media is a effective communication along with
networking platform that helps in creating voice for an organisation for humanising the entity.
Customers appreciate knowing the aspect that when some comments are posted on the
organisational pages, then will receive effective personalised response despite of an automated
message. With the help of social media, managers of HSBC Bank Plc acknowledge each
comment then it reflects than the company is attentive for meeting needs of its clients or visitors
to deliver best experiences.
Stages that are part of software development life cycle
As per Altvater (2020), A process which produces software with lowest cost along with
highest quality within shortest duration possible is known as software development lifecycle. It
5

provides well structured flow of stages which assist business to fastly devise high quality
software that are well tested as well as ready for use of manufacturing or production. It works
through lowering cost in developing a software while improving quality together with shortening
duration in production. Stages that are part of software development life cycle are as defined:
Illustration 1: Software development lifecycle, 2020
(Source: Software development lifecycle, 2020)
Stage 1: Requirement analysis: It is foremost stage in which senior members of
information technology team perform working with inputs from involved stakeholders as well as
domain experts. In other words, the stage involves acquiring resources from stakeholders and
learning strengths as well as weaknesses of existing system.
Stage 2: Planning: Herein, team manager identify cost along with resources that are
required to execute analysed requirement. Moreover, the stage details out involved risks together
with provides sub plans in order to soften the risks. Information technology team determines
feasibility of the software project and the ways to implement successfully with lowest number of
risks in mind.
6

Stage 3: Architectural design: The stage initiates through turning software specifications
with design of plan known as design specification. The phase covers activities to define
collection of hardware as well as software elements together with interfaces with the purpose of
establishing framework to develop an effective software.
Stage 4: Software development: Hereby, actual development begins. In software
development phases, it is crucial that all developers must stick towards agreed blueprint.
Moreover, developers should have proper guidelines for code style addition to practices.
Stage 5: Testing: When It managers have completed development of software them it is
deployed for testing in real scenario. Herein, testing team plays essential role of initiating testing
of functionality of the software for verifying the aspect that whole application works as per
requirements of clients.
Stage 6: Deployment and maintenance: After completion of testing of software,
deployment process starts. On the basis of feedback, final software is launched by information
technology manager. One software is deployed and clients begin to utilise then various activities
such as bug fixing, enhancement and upgrade arises. In this, major emphasis of IT team is to
ensure requirements continue to be fulfilled as well as software continues to work in accordance
with specification mentioned.
ANALYSIS AND DISCUSSION
Potential benefits and drawbacks of company to make investment in information technology
When managers makes investment within information technology then it maximises
business effectiveness. In relevance to HSBC Bank Plc, one of benefit that managers experiences
in investment in certain information technology is boosting morale of workforce as well a s
making effective way for team members to remain more productive. Moreover, it is analysed that
information technology reflects that administrators have invest in path of success of company. It
enhances abilities of business to respond towards changing needs of organisation and fostering
collaboration that streamlines processes together with makes projects more cost-efficient.
Information technology brings wider investment returns through reducing risks, improving
functionality and working smarter (Vanpoucke, Vereecke and Muylle, 2017).
In contrary, there are some drawbacks that managers analyses while investing in
information technology. In respect to HSBC Bank Plc, investment in information technology
7

have huge chances of breaching security as hackers evolved with technology leaks stored
information and quickly results in something that is unexpectable. Investments with systems of
information technology lessens tasks that reduces employability and small manpower to operate
fully. Furthermore, Setup costs in information technology is very costly that bites out set budget
of managers and reduces profit margins (Agrawal, Kumar and Mukti, 2020).
CONCLUSION
From the individual report it have been concludes that to survive in competitive business
scenario, all organisations are required to make investment in information technology.
Introduction of information technology have changed whole business world and ensures that all
kinds of workings are executed effectively. In organisational success, key role is performed by
information technology in form of fostering innovation, making practices running more
smoother, enhancing values and boosting productivity. Networking technologies permits
institutions to send information digitally through suitable systems or mechanisms. At the time
when data is shared among two or more computer through medium including cables, wires and
so on then it is known as computer network. Social media have emerged as useful and valuable
tool for organisations as it brings wide number of benefits including engaging with audience,
fostering website traffic and many more. Software development lifecycle guides software
developers or Information Technology managers to design, develops together with test quality
software. Key objective of SDLC is to devise high quality software which have capability for
exceeding expectations of clients or customers, estimating costs as well as reaching completion
within determined duration.
8

REFERENCES
Books and Journals:
Agrawal, A., Kumar, C. and Mukti, S. K., 2020. Role of Information and Communication
Technology (ICT) to Enhance the Success of Knowledge Management (KM): a Study in
a Steel Plant. Journal of the Knowledge Economy, pp.1-27.
Alshuaibi, M. S. I. and et.al., 2018. Use of social media, student engagement, and academic
performance of business students in Malaysia. International Journal of Educational
Management.
Camero, A. and Alba, E., 2019. Smart City and information technology: A review. Cities. 93.
pp.84-94.
Chatzoglou, P. and Chatzoudes, D., 2018. The role of innovation in building competitive
advantages: an empirical investigation. European Journal of Innovation Management.
He, H. and Harris, L., 2020. The impact of Covid-19 pandemic on corporate social responsibility
and marketing philosophy. Journal of Business Research. 116. pp.176-182.
Holsapple, C. W., Hsiao, S. H. and Pakath, R., 2018. Business social media analytics:
Characterization and conceptual framework. Decision Support Systems. 110. pp.32-45.
Hou, T. C. T., 2019. The relationship between corporate social responsibility and sustainable
financial performance: Firm‐level evidence from Taiwan. Corporate Social
Responsibility and Environmental Management. 26(1). pp.19-28.
Iyamu, T., 2017. Improvising information technology projects through the duality of
structure. South African Journal of Information Management. 19(1). pp.1-9.
Sabir, E., and et.al., 2017. Ubiquitous Networking: Third International Symposium, UNet 2017,
Casablanca, Morocco, May 9-12, 2017, Revised Selected Papers (Vol. 10542).
Springer.
Tur-Porcar, A., Roig-Tierno, N. and Llorca Mestre, A., 2018. Factors affecting entrepreneurship
and business sustainability. Sustainability. 10(2). p.452.
Vanpoucke, E., Vereecke, A. and Muylle, S., 2017. Leveraging the impact of supply chain
integration through information technology. International Journal of Operations &
Production Management.
Vidal, I. and et.al., 2019. Multimedia Networking Technologies, Protocols, and Architectures.
Artech House.
Online:
Altvater. A. 2020. What is SDLC? Understand the Software Development Life Cycle. [Online].
Available through: <https://stackify.com/what-is-sdlc/>
9