Introduction to Information Technology

This report provides an introduction to information technology and its role in Sports Direct. It discusses the issues faced in utilizing technology, the networking technologies used, and the relevance of intranet and internet in business. The report also covers ethical and social issues in Sports Direct and the stage of SDLC.

Introduction to
Information Technology

Abstract
Information technology denotes exchange of data through simple transmission of info
among different personnel’s as per the requirements. This leads to creation of affirmative
influence on the ways in which functionalities are conducted by enterprise. To attain this, they
use unlike networking technologies as well as tends to determine requirements of their potential
customers so that they can render services as per their needs. Along with this, if there is need for
new system then SDLC model can be utilized for its accomplishment. This report will provide a
study into ways through utilization of IT Sports Direct can attain success.

Table of Contents
Abstract.......................................................................................................................................................2
Introduction.................................................................................................................................................4
Literature Review........................................................................................................................................4
Role of IT in Sports Direct......................................................................................................................4
Issues with utilisation of technology........................................................................................................5
Networking Technologies........................................................................................................................6
Relevance of Intranet & Internet in business...........................................................................................7
Analysis and Discussion...............................................................................................................................8
Role of IT within Sports Direct...............................................................................................................8
Networking Technologies that are used by Sports Direct........................................................................9
Ethical & social issues in Sports Direct...................................................................................................9
Intranet & Internet in Sports Direct.......................................................................................................10
SDLC.....................................................................................................................................................10
Conclusion.................................................................................................................................................12
References.................................................................................................................................................13

Introduction
The maintenance, developing as well as making use of computer systems, network and
software is called information technology. It implies data which is in processed form by making
use of different methods along with its distribution in concise way. This comprises of distinct
components, they are telecommunication, hardware and software that is used for transmission of
data through usage of mediums for having interaction (Aasheim, Li and Williams, 2019). To
understand the concept of information technology, Sports Direct is taken, it is British retailing
group that was founded on 1982 and is headquartered in England. The firm renders their services
at low margins by providing their customers with fashion clothing, cosmetics, furniture, sporting
goods and many more. This report will provide an insight into success or failure of firm, social &
ethical problems and networking technologies. In addition to this, relevance of intranet as well as
internet and stage of SDLC will also be furnished.
Literature Review
Role of IT in Sports Direct
Information technology is defined as utilisation of system for accumulation, allocation
and variations within data. IT have inbuilt role in every industry despite of it is retail, aviation,
clothing, mining and there are various others. With reference to Sports Direct, the role of
information technology is illustrated below:
 Information flow: This is primary resource which enables organisation to carry out their
functionalities within relevant way. It comprises of data that can be subjective, internal,
objective and external (Basheer and et. al, 2019). This will enable Sports Direct to ensure
that they are able to deliver their services in precise and adequate way. For this, firm has
opted to utilise centralised information through which it can be extracted as per required
standards. It can be attained by making use of email, video conferencing, Skype and there
are many more options that can be utilised by firm for having precise data related with
functionalities and operations they have to conduct. In addition to this, strategies can also
be formulated by making use of channels for ensuring that they attain their objectives and
goals.

 Management of data: When services are being delivered at broader perspectives then it
becomes easy for firm for managing the information through which functionalities can be
carried out. An instance can be taken into consideration like the inventory needs of firm
has to be managed so that all the records can be maintained in an effective manner such
as records of products they have within their store and stock up it as per their
requirements (Benaben, Sakurai and Tapia, 2019). This will provide Sports Direct to
accomplish needs of their customers in an enhanced manner. Thereby, firm can make use
of internal or external hard drives, database or servers for dealing with information. Productivity: To have amplified profitability, Sports Direct have to make use of
applications such as word processing, relational database management system and other
software which will allow them to make sure that they can carry out their operations.
Along with this, information stored will assist them within processing of requests of their
customers. This will lead to creation of assenting influence on overall functionalities.
Issues with utilisation of technology
Ethical issues: The illustration of making relevant choices in context of what is right or
wrong for determination of choices are defined as ethical issues. With reference to this, ethical
issues which can be faced by Sports Direct while delivering their services within the market are
specified beneath:
 Internet privacy: The activities which are carried out by human resources need to be
tracked. Therefore, it is mandatory for Sports Direct to ensure that any kind of
confidential data is not shared via a network as it will hinder their functionalities
(Benckendorff, Xiang and Sheldon, 2019). Along with this, firm can utilise anti-virus
software along with firewall so that third person do not get access within their system.
Furthermore, DMZ security can also used for doing this.
 Cyber bullying: This implies harassment or discrimination which occurs through
utilisation of electronic means is defined as cyber bullying. This involves pejoratives
remarks, sexual comments and various other aspects. Sports Direct is rendering their
services within the market from years thus there will be restricted overall influence that
will be created by cyber bullying.

Social issues: It denotes the issues which are being created on distinct individuals in the
society. Some of the issues that can be faced by Sports Direct are illustrated beneath:
 Hacking: The unauthenticated or unauthorised access to network as well as computer
system is defined as hacking (Hendela, 2020). An example can be taken into account, in
case third person have access to the private information stored within their system then
there has to be high security standards for protecting them. Sports Direct have to take
relevant steps through which this can be prevented. Technical team of organisation need
to ensure that they track the incoming traffic so that unwanted activities can be identified.
 Identity Theft: Fraud comprises of making use of internet to conduct illegal activities and
it is easy as people are dependent on this medium for carrying out their tasks. For this,
personal details of people are utilized by intruders for making malicious activities. An
example can be taken like email can be sent by pretending to be authenticated employee
of Sports Direct.
Networking Technologies
One or more blocks of a device that enables to conduct interaction within different
departments is defined as network. Basically, it involves different systems that are related with
one other through utilisation of wireless or physical connections for making sure that there is a
ease within interacting with each other as well as make sure that operations are conducted
according to relevant standards (Kauffman and Weber, 2019). An example can be taken to
understand this aspect like Sports Direct can make use of website, email or even they can
develop their own application through which it will be easy for them to deliver their operations
with their customers. It will also aid them to understand their requirements and accordingly
furnish their operations in as precise manner. Furthermore, it will assist them with in making
decisions and eliminate the unnecessary cost involved within the process of manually carrying
out their operations. There prevail various kinds of network technologies that are being used by
organisation depending upon their requirements (Logan, 2020). Sports Direct can make use of
WAN, MAN and LAN, they are illustrated below:

Wide Area Network (WAN): This implies making the communication available
worldwide or within same country. It is accomplished by making use of telephone lines, satellites
along with radio waves that enable firms like Sports Direct to have high speed. But there is also a
limitation that the cost is very high which may be difficult for firm to deal with (Milani, 2019).
Retailers make use of this for developing amplified relations with other organizations or
individuals for deliver
their services in an affirmative manner.
Metropolitan Area Network (MAN): This is accountable for developing link among
workstations as well as computers through which they are able to cover wide range of area in
comparison to local area network but it is restricted with reference to wide area network. They
have connection with distinct LAN and for this they make use of single cable. For addressing the
needs of Sports Direct they can make use of twisted pair, coaxial cables, fiber optical cables and
various others. This can be utilized by retailers for development of link through which
interaction among outlets can be carried out easily and attain the desired outcomes (Reuter,
2019).
Local Area Network (LAN): This is liable for developing connections among different
tools, information and programs which can be shared with different workstations as well as
computers. Connections are developed by utilization of single switches or even stacks that
enables to acknowledge addressing schemes through utilization of TCP/IP protocol. When there
are few systems interconnected with this then related transmission speed received will be higher
but in case if this number expands then request is declined. When Sports Direct need to have
communication within the outlet, then it acts as the best option.
Relevance of Intranet & Internet in business
Internet: The network that is being utilised by people according to their needs from
across the world for having communication, online shopping, financial transactions or learning
new things is called internet (Tejay and Paul, 2020). This is fast network that allow individuals to
save their time that is involved within manually doing things.
Significance of Internet

 Communication: These assist retailers to conduct direct interaction with employees and
clients by making use of video or audio calls. Research: In this context, Sports Direct can accumulate efficacious and concise data via
having in-depth research that is being carried out through development of reports,
conducting analysis, having surveys and many other aspects.
Intranet: This implies the local area network that is being accessed within the firm and
this is associated with different gateways that exist outside the organization. This is being
utilized by firms for carrying out communication, sharing resources, training & development,
accumulation of information and various other entities (Wu, 2019).
Importance of Intranet
 Resource utilisation: This will enable Sports Direct to possess capabilities that will allow
them to furnish services within precise manner. It enables them to have adequate
knowledge associated with all the crucial aspects that allow developing quick decisions. Customer service: Firm can have peculiar data from employees related with response
attained from customers in context of services which are being given to them. In addition
to this, it will enable them to have positive influence on overall functions that are
conducted via them.
Analysis and Discussion
Role of IT within Sports Direct
Technology is being utilised by organisation for improvisation of services that are being
furnished for creation of relevant environment that will assist them in making sure that they are
able to deliver the services as per desired standards (Wu, 2020). Information technology within
Sports Direct is mentioned beneath:
 Risk, information and cash management can be carried out in an adequate manner
through usage of control and security operations by handling instruments technologically.
 Expense management techniques will help organization within monitoring as well as
tracking all the activities in context of expenses that incurred.

 Transactions can be automated when artificial intelligence r internet of things is used as it
will lead to assist within recurring actions.
Networking Technologies that are used by Sports Direct
There are distinct technologies that are utilised by firms on the basis of their needs so
accordingly they can furnish services and ensure that they are delivered on time. LAN is used by
Sports Direct to have communication within their single outlet. The reason behind this is that it
has limited capacity which makes it restricted to certain area or location. This leads them to
avoid delays within transmission of information which aids them to formulate quick decisions
and accordingly respond to the situations (Aasheim, Li and Williams, 2019). MAN is utilized for
developing association among different LAN’s within same city. Along with this, WAN can be
used to link different MANs that are present within different cities. It is being done to make sure
that enhanced communication can be conducted among distinct outlets so that their operations
are not impacted and ensure that affirmatively all the functionalities are being conducted.
Ethical & social issues in Sports Direct
Various concerns related with usage of technology have been made that leads having
adequate results. By taking into account above perspectives it has been identified that IT in each
organisation enables them to furnish their functionalities in precise manner but there are prevails
some aspects which leads to breach along with violation of the system. For addressing these
aspects, an example can be taken, in context of ethical issues like if third person gets access into
private or confidential information of organisation then this can be utilised for conducting illegal
operations. It will hamper their brand image as customers and employees details will be accessed
by others as well as this leads to higher probability that it will be misused by them (Asongu,
Anyanwu and Tchamyou, 2019). With reference to social issues, if intruder makes any irrelevant
post to defame Sports Direct for attaining competitive edge them then this can also hamper their
operations. This becomes necessary that all the activities are being monitored by them to ensure
that they are able to render their services as per desired standards and any other external force is
not able to hamper ways in which they deliver their operations. This will lead them to secure
information and do not fall into trap formulated by intruder.

Intranet & Internet in Sports Direct
Internet is utilized by firms for carrying out their functionalities across the world that
possess capabilities through which interactions can be carried out. Intranet is used to ensure that
operations are effectively conducted within the premises. In context of Sports Direct, bith of
these are used to have enhanced results by making use of shared resources like information,
screen, printers, etc are being shared among others (Basheer and et. al, 2019). It will lead them
minimize irrelevant cost that is related with various operations such as strategies can be
developed by usage of Skype calls, conferencing, etc. This will lead them to make sure that they
conduct their operations in an adequate manner.
SDLC
Software or application development life cycle denotes the process associated with
developing plans, executing testing along with deployment of information system. It is used
widely to configure software as well as hardware such as amalgamation of both of them to
deliver services in effective manner. There are various stages involved within this and they are
illustrated below:
 Planning: This denotes preliminary stage where firm addresses needs related with new
systems and through its usage changes can also be made for ensuring that strategic goals
can be attained. This involves feasibility plan that is carried by firm like Sports Direct
through which resources can be acquired through which needs of potential customers can
be accomplished adequately. The rationale is to identify scope of problems which
prevails and define solution for them accordingly. Along with this, entities like time,
resources, benefits, etc. must also be regarded.
 System analysis and requirement: Here, top executive’s works collaboratively for
classification of sources that are liable for causing problems and also determine the needs
of individuals. If in case any kind of issues are encountered by firm then potential
solution will be given according to objective Sports Direct need to attain. With reference
to functional needs related with project system analysis is conducted that will aid to have
precise knowledge related with what customers require and in that context new system
will be developed (Benaben, Sakurai and Tapia, 2019). This stage has crucial role
through which methods are identified by which goals can be attained. Furthermore, time

is required to conduct this for having review of similar or identical projects. For this,
Sports Direct can have tools like AutoCad for having structured analysis.
 System design: This is liable for illustrating critical specifications, operations and
functionalities that are liable for accomplishment of functional requirements associated
with proposed system. This will act as critical step for firm through which discussions
can be made for conducting analysis of peculiar needs for proposed system. Here, entities
are considered such as software, hardware, networking capabilities of devices and their
processing ability to make sure that new system is liable for accomplishment of probable
needs of the system (Benckendorff, Xiang and Sheldon, 2019).
 Development: This illustrates initialisation of tangible activities that are involved within
development of database, programming along with different perspectives related with
new system. It involves formulation of new system by making use of data flow diagrams
through which all the processes will be managed in context of needs. It is responsible for
termination of initial stage that is associated with distinct processes. In addition to this, it
also illustrates initialisation of production stage. This is categorised into instillation along
with making alterations as per demands.
 Integration and testing: This comprises of integration of system as well as testing of
procedures along with programs depending on quality upon which qulity professionals
has agreed upon. It is being carried out for identifying designing meets so that
organisational goals can be attained. The other section related with this comprises of
validation and verification which will assist within attainment of success.
 Implementation: This involves code which is being developed in context of new system.
In addition it this, here system installation, implementation and many other processes are
being developed. In this step data related with previous system is migrated into new so
that the operations can be conducted in normal manner. But there are certain risks
associated like intruder may have access to information. Thus, extra security measures
must be taken by organisation (Hendela, 2020). Along with this, none neither customers
nor employees must be able to differentiate with their operations like exact or even better
services will be provided.
 Operations and maintenance: It implies last stage that is involved within maintenance
and continuous system updates. This is conducted by end users as it will lead to

improvise performance of computer system and organisation on the whole. Here,
emphasis is laid on enhancement of services for users by having their feedback and
responding to them in precise manner so that relevant modifications can be made within
their system (Kauffman and Weber, 2019).
When IT department of Sports Direct determine that there is need for alterations in the
ways functionalities or operations are conducted then they can make use of SDLC for ensuring
that each step is conducted precisely.
Conclusion
From above it can be concluded that information technology is a broad filed that assist
firms within conducting their operations in precise manner by providing them with relevant
storage space, processing capabilities, extraction and transmission of data. This enables them to
ensure that form is able to conduct their operations in concise manner by addressing needs of
their customers through having feedback from them. It will also minimize the additional cost
associated with manual sharing of information.

References
Books and Journals
Aasheim, C.L., Li, L. and Williams, S., 2019. Knowledge and skill requirements for entry-level
information technology workers: A comparison of industry and academia. Journal of
information systems education, 20(3), p.10.
Asongu, S.A., Anyanwu, J.C. and Tchamyou, V.S., 2019. Technology-driven information
sharing and conditional financial development in Africa. Information Technology for
Development, 25(4), pp.630-659.
Basheer, M. and et. al, 2019. Exploring the role of TQM and supply chain practices for firm
supply performance in the presence of information technology capabilities and supply
chain technology adoption: A case of textile firms in Pakistan. Uncertain Supply Chain
Management, 7(2), pp.275-288.
Benaben, F., Sakurai, M. and Tapia, A., 2019. Introduction to the minitrack on Disaster
Information, Technology, and Resilience in Digital Government.
Benckendorff, P.J., Xiang, Z. and Sheldon, P.J., 2019. Tourism information technology. Cabi.
Hendela, A., 2020. IS 265-002: Introduction to Information Systems.
Kauffman, R. and Weber, T., 2019. Introduction to the Minitrack on Strategy, Information,
Technology, Economics, and Strategy (SITES).
Logan, P.Y., 2020. Crafting an undergraduate information security emphasis within information
technology. Journal of Information Systems Education, 13(3), p.3.
Milani, F., 2019. Introduction to Business Analysis. In Digital Business Analysis (pp. 1-29).
Springer, Cham.
Reuter, C., 2019. Information Technology for Peace and Security–Introduction and Overview.
In Information Technology for Peace and Security (pp. 3-9). Springer Vieweg,
Wiesbaden.
Tejay, G. and Paul, S., 2020. Special Issue Introduction: Desperately Seeking the Information in
Information Systems Research at HICSS 2019. ACM SIGMIS Database: the DATABASE
for Advances in Information Systems, 51(1), pp.11-13.
Wu, Y.F., 2019. IS 265-101: Introduction to Information Systems.
Wu, Y.F., 2020. IS 265-102: Introduction to Information Systems (Revised for Remote
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