London School of Commerce: CFPBUS003 IT Report - March 2021

This report provides an in-depth analysis of Information Technology (IT) within the context of Barclay's Plc, a multinational financial services company. It begins with a literature review covering the role of IT in business success and failure, addressing ethical and privacy concerns, examining different types of networks, and exploring the impact of social media. The report also outlines the stages of the software development life cycle. The analysis section then focuses on Barclay's Plc, detailing the role of technology in product development, its support for financial intermediaries, its ability to reach diverse markets, and its impact on internal functioning. Ethical and privacy issues specific to Barclay's Plc are also examined. The report further explores networking technology and social media strategies within the company and concludes with recommendations. The report highlights how IT enables product development, improves internal operations, and facilitates communication within Barclay's Plc. The assignment is a report for the course CFPBUS003, Introduction to Information Technology, at the London School of Commerce.

Introduction to
Information Technology

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................3
Literature Review.............................................................................................................................3
Role of IT in success and failure of business...............................................................................3
Ethics and Privacy........................................................................................................................4
Types of Network........................................................................................................................4
Social Media................................................................................................................................5
Stages of software development life cycle...................................................................................5
Analysis............................................................................................................................................6
Role of Technology in Barclay's Plc............................................................................................6
Ethics and Privacy in Barclay's Plc..............................................................................................7
Networking Technology at Barclay's Plc.....................................................................................8
Social Media at Barclay's Plc.......................................................................................................9
Recommendations ...........................................................................................................................9
CONCLUSION..............................................................................................................................10
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................11

INTRODUCTION
Information technology can be defined as computer based technology that is used to
create, store, change and retrieve data in electronic format. This is mainly used in context of
business activities and is also considered as subset of Information and Computer Technology.
This report aims at discussion information technology and different aspects of information
technology in Barclay's Plc. It is British multinational investment bank and financial service
company. It was founded in 1690 it is headquartered at London, England, UK. Barclay's Plc
provides several services including retail banking, commercial banking, investment banking,
wholesale banking, wealth management and private banking services. Barclay's Plc employs
around 83,500 employees to provide all these services. This report will include role of IT in
success and failure, ethics and privacy, types of networking technology, social media in business
and system development life cycle. In this firstly literature review and then analysis will be
carried out.
Literature Review
Role of IT in success and failure of business
As stated by Ashley Donohoe (2019) Information Technology has very important role
in success and failure of businesses. This is because IT has affected all areas of business and its
functioning. It has become very important for businesses to consider application of IT in its
operations so that they can stay strong in competition and also become able to cope with
changing trends and demand. Some roles that IT is playing in success of business are-
Improved organisational communication- This is very important that communication in and
outside organisation is effective. Effective communication within organisation ensures flow of
work and communication outside organisation ensures it attracts customers and stay connected
with other stakeholders. This is why role of IT is very important in success of businesses.
Effective business decision-making- Decisions taken by organisation are very important for its
success and failure. Inappropriate decisions can lead organisation towards failure and right and
appropriate decisions according to situation can contribute in success of organisation.
Information Technology can help in effective decision-making through availability of data and
market information.
Customer experience- Customer experience has become very important for success of
businesses and in order to avoid failure for business, emphasis on customer experience is must.

IT can help businesses to improve customer experience by staying connected with customers and
providing them easy access to business.
Ethics and Privacy
In words of Stahl and Wright, (2018) there are several ethical issues with running
businesses and application of information technology in business. Ethics issues in relation with
running business and using Information Technology in business. In this Access Right is one of
the very important ethical issue. This means that when businesses operate using information
technology, they have ethical issue that who can access information in IT systems. Unauthorised
access to system is very important ethical issue that businesses face. Unauthorised access refers
to situation in which employees in organisation might access information technology system they
have not been authorised for. Maintaining security of trade secrets is another ethical issue, in this
issue it becomes very difficult for businesses to maintain privacy and protect their trade secrets
when they are stores in systems. There are several unethical ways in which external parties and
individuals can access trade secrets that are developed and stored in system. This is a very
important ethical challenge for businesses using information technology. Copyright is another
ethical issue for businesses. Copyright is a law that enables creator of a work to have exclusive
rights on work and this is a very powerful tool for protecting software. In this breach of security
can cause mishandling and misuse of data. This means that there are several ways in which
privacy of businesses is at risk when they use information technology.
Types of Network
As per Hanes, D and et.al., (2017) networking technology is that enables two or more
devices to connect with each other. There are different types of networking technology and these
technologies differentiate on the basis of area of their range and on the basis of their ability to
connect devices in terms of number of devices. Types of networking technology are-
Personal area network (PAN)- This is a networking technology in which network is formed
around a person. This is a network that generally consist of a computer, mobile and personal
digital assistant. This type of network has most limited range and can only be used by one person
within limited range. In this, devices can be connected through two means one is wired personal
area network and another is wireless personal area network.
Local area network (LAN)- This type of networking technology allows group of computers to
connect in a small or limited range that is larger than PAN and smaller than WAN. LAN can be

used for connecting two or more personal computers and in LAN data can be transferred
extremely fast and security is also high.
Wide area network (WAN)- This is a networking technology in which network has a range to
connect devices across a large area and this is quite larger than LAN. WAN is not limited to
single location and extends over a wide area. Internet is an example of WAN.
Metropolitan area network (MAN)- MAN is a networking technology that is made of
connecting different LANs. MAN has a high range than LAN.
Social Media
According to Cao and et.al., (2018) Social media is computer based technology that enables to
create virtual network and communities through which individuals can share knowledge and
information. Social media is being widely used and this also has several benefits for businesses
which make it very important for businesses to use social media. Importance of social media for
businesses are-
Getting attention and building awareness- This is one of the factor that make social media
important for businesses. Social media enables businesses to get attention and also build
awareness for their brand or business. Awareness is first stage through which business can attract
and encourage potential customers to become customers of business.
Encourage Engagement- This is also one of the factor and advantage because of which social
media is important for businesses. Social media enables businesses to create and post
promotional content and advertisement where they can generate engagement of audience.
Engagement of customers with brand or businesses increases their probability to become
customers of business and keep existing customers loyal.
Stages of software development life cycle
According to GORAN JEVTIC (2019) a software development life cycle has following stages.
Planning- This involves evaluating terms of project and calculation of labour and material cost
for developing software and creation of time-table with goals for software development.
Planning phase in SDLC also involves creating team for project and developing leadership
structure. Feedback from stakeholders and potential customers, developers and subject matter
experts is also included in planning phase of SDLC.

Define Requirements- This is also involved in planning and defining requirement involves what
application is supposed to do and what is requirement of software being developed. In
requirement resources required for developing software is also included.
Design and Prototype- This is stage of SDLC involves developing way in which software will
work and some elements in this includes designing architecture of software, designing interface
of software, platforms for software. Platforms involves determining where software will work
such as Window, Android.
Software development- This is a stage in which program for software is written by developers.
In this a small project might be developed by one developer however when project is large in
such case a team of developers work to write program. This involves writing codes and finding
and fixing errors and faults in coding which affect interface of software.
Testing- In this stage of SDLC software created and developed is tested before it is made
available for users. In this automated testing and security testing is included. Testing helps in
ensuring that application and all elements of software are working correctly.
Deployment- In this stage software becomes available for users in which they can install and
start using software.
Operations and maintenance- This is last stage of SDLC in which users and also creators
discover bugs in software and they are then removed to ensure software is working correctly.
Analysis
Role of Technology in Barclay's Plc
Product Development- Information Technology in Barclay's Plc is playing important role in
developing products of bank (Chae, Koh and Park, 2018). This means that in present business
environment of banking industry internet and mobile banking has become very important for
businesses to ensure customer satisfaction and competitiveness and these products are developed
with help of information technology and services through these products can also be provided
through information technology.
Helps the financial intermediaries- Barclay's Plc is a investment bank and financial service
company and this is why several intermediaries are included in providing all services of
Barclay's Plc to customers. Information technology have enabled Barclay's Plc to help these
intermediaries and this is possible through effective and better functioning and through effective
and regular communication with intermediaries.

Reach geographically distant and diversified markets- This is also a role of IT in Barclay's
Plc in which with help of information technology Barclay's Plc can reach to geographically
distant and diversified market. This is because with help of IT Barclay's Plc can provide banking
and other financial services over internet and mobile and this eliminates requirement to come at
bank and this is wRole of Technology in Barclay's Plc
Product Development- Information Technology in Barclay's Plc is playing important role in
developing products of bank. This means that in present business environment of banking
industry internet and mobile banking has become very important for businesses to ensure
customer satisfaction and competitiveness and these products are developed with help of
information technology and services through these products can also be provided through
information technology.
Helps the financial intermediaries- Barclay's Plc is a investment bank and financial service
company and thihy it can reach to geographically distant customers (Kumari and Kumar, 2018).
In addition to this through information technology services to diversified market can also be
provided by Barclay's Plc and this enables bank to increase its customer base.
Improve internal functioning of bank- Information technology also is playing important role
in Barclay's Plc in which it improves internal functioning of bank. This means that organisational
activities can be done faster and IT also improved coordination and collaboration within
organisation. This collectively improves internal functioning and enable bank to provide high
quality services to customers. This means that through IT communication becomes easy, fast and
effective and this saves time and increase efficiency whilst avoiding potential omission in
working as well as repetition of work.
Ethics and Privacy in Barclay's Plc
Barclay's Plc is a banking and financial organisation and this is why it gets affected by
several ethical and privacy issues.
Ethics issues involve decisions regarding determining banking practices on the basis of
what is right and wrong practices in banking. This mainly involves practising on the basis of
moral standards of society. Ethical issues and considerations that affect Honesty, Integrity,
Fairness, responsible citizenship and accountability. It is ethical responsibility of Barclay's Plc to
ensure that they are dealing honestly with customers and other stakeholders (Atlam and Wills,
2020). Maintaining transparency is also an ethical issue for Barclay's Plc in which it is very

important that Barclay's Plc maintain complete transparency with customers and share
information affecting them in correct way. Ethical issue in Barclay's Plc also include Fairness
Information Abuse, in this ethical issue Barclay's Plc is required to take measures and actions to
prevent any kind of abuse to information of those who are working in Barclay's Plc as well as its
customers.
Privacy is also a very important issue in Barclay's Plc because as a banking organisation
Barclay's Plc has important and personal data of its customers and it is responsibility of
Barclay's Plc to ensure safety to data. This data can be affected through unethical and illegal
practices like Hacking in which hacker can make unauthorised access to system and data of
Barclay's Plc in order to manipulate data or for misuse of data.
Networking Technology at Barclay's Plc
Enterprise Private Network (EPN)- This is one of the network technology in which networks
are built by businesses and along with this, network is also used by businesses who wants to
securely connect numerous locations to share large size of computer or electronic resources
(Chen and et.al., 2019). This means that EPN have been created by Barclay's Plc and company
use it for sharing data securely which enables them to share computer resources on different
locations and also ensure security of data.
Wide Area Network (WAN)- Wide area network has a network which is known as internet and
this is also used at Barclay's Plc. This is because internet enables Barclay's Plc to carry out
several activities quickly and connect with internal as well as external people related to bank. In
addition to this, providing internet and mobile banking is also possible through internet in which
customers can use and access these services through internet.
Storage Area Network (SAN)- Storage area network is also used by Barclay's Plc in which
dedicated high speed network connects shared pool of storage devices to several servers. This
means that a system is connected through several servers in which servers can share as well as
collect information from one consolidated system of bank. This is used by Barclay's Plc to
enable all members of business to share information at single platform and also to collect
information from one system. This is very important network which enables people to have
information whenever required and also enables them to share important information on system
so that others can access whenever required.

Social Media at Barclay's Plc
Social media is being used by all types of organisation and in this banking industry is also
included. Barclay's Plc is also using social media and there are several benefits of social media
which make it important for Barclay's Plc (Garanti and Kissi, 2019). Some ways in which social
media is important for Barclay's Plc are-
Monitoring market- Social media is a platform where extensive information can be collected by
business organisations and these informations is related to their market, customers and
competitors. This means that through social media businesses can monitor overall market.
Monitoring of market enables them to make right and fact based decisions regarding their
strategies which can be product development and launch, promotional strategies and strategies
related to customer services. Monitoring market also involves monitoring trends and what
changes are taking place in customer preferences and their choices and on the basis of that
Barclay's Plc can change their strategies to deal with customers and retain existing customers as
well as attracting new customers.
Twitter Payment- This is also a role of social media in Barclay's Plc in which customers of
Barclay's Plc and social media users can make payments to individuals and businesses' twitter
handle using Pingit application (Singh and et.al., 2020). This means that Barclay's Plc have used
social media in context of its business functioning and this has enabled to create unique and
special awareness and identify for Barclay's Plc on social media.
Customer service- This is also a way in which Barclay's Plc can use social media for customer
service, this means that Barclay's Plc's social media platforms allow customers of bank to make
complaints and share their issues with bank. This way bank can improve its customer service and
also becomes able to increase customer satisfaction and customer loyalty for bank.
Recommendations
 Information technology has contributed in development of several other products and in
these products and services. Artificial intelligence is one of the important product or way
in which information technology becomes useful for Barclay's Plc. Through artificial
intelligence and its application Barclay's Plc can enhance its service quality and will also
become able for automation of business activities and operations (Donepudi, 2017).
Artificial intelligence can be used for improving customer service when they are using
services of Barclay's Plc through mobile and internet.

 Another recommendation for Barclay's Plc is use of Augmented Reality (AR) which is an
enhanced version of real physical world that is achieved through the use of digital visual
elements, sound, or other sensory simuli that is delivered through technology. Barclay's
Plc can use augmented reality for several purposes and using this for training within
Barclay's Plc is highly recommended, because this will enhance quality of online training
in Barclay's Plc (Safadel and White, 2019). This will enable to provide training on
convenience of employees and will facilitate and improve overall training purpose.
 In context of information technology another recommendation for Barclay's Plc is to use
predictive analytics. This is a branch of advanced analytics which is used to make
prediction about unknown future events (Ramesh, 2017). With help of information
technology Barclay's Plc can undertake predictive analysis to predict about future
unknown events' data mining, statistics, modelling, machine learning and artificial
intelligence through which existing data can be processed to make future predictions for
Barclay's Plc.
 Information technology has also created opportunity and feasibility for Barclay's Plc to
make better decisions on the basis of extensive decisions. Information technology enables
collection and use of data available in huge volume which keep growing with time
(Hassani, Huang and Silva, 2018). Barclay's Plc can make very effective decisions on the
basis of data which can lead it to become more competitive and succeed.
CONCLUSION
On the basis of above discussion it can be concluded that information technology is
playing very important role in organisations which lead organisation towards success. However,
inadequate or not using information technology in present business environment can lead
organisations towards failure. There are several ethical perspectives associated with information
technology because use of IT have contributed in growth in malpractices by businesses as well as
other external parties. In above report types of networks were also discussed and there are
several types of networking technology which differentiate on the basis of their range and
capability to connect with number of systems. Social media is a major element of information
technology which enables sharing of data and information. Followed by this, stages of system
development life cycle were also discussed in report. On the basis of discussion
recommendations were proposed in report can be followed by Barclay's Plc.

REFERENCES
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Online
Ashley Donohoe. 2019. Role of Information Technology in Business. [Online]. Available
Through: <https://bizfluent.com/facts-5977213-role-information-technology-
business.html>.
GORAN JEVTIC. 2019. What is the Software Development Life Cycle? [Online]. Available
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