A Report on Information Technology Applications at Barclays Bank

This report examines the use of information technology within Barclays Bank, focusing on the application of various software types, including presentation, web browser, spreadsheet, and database software, and their roles in enhancing business operations. It addresses the critical ethical and social issues that arise from IT implementation, such as personal privacy, access rights, harmful actions, communication breakdowns, identity theft, gaming addiction, and online scams, emphasizing the need for robust security measures. The report also explores different network technologies like LAN, MAN, and WAN, detailing their applications and characteristics in facilitating data exchange and resource sharing. Furthermore, it touches upon the importance of artificial intelligence and the stages of the software development life cycle in maintaining data protection and system integrity. The study concludes by weighing the advantages and disadvantages of information technology, highlighting its transformative impact on modern business practices. Desklib provides access to similar solved assignments and past papers for students.

INFORMATION TO
TECHNOLOGY

Contents
ABSTRACT..............................................................................................................................4
Introduction..............................................................................................................................5
Literature review......................................................................................................................5
Analysis and discussion............................................................................................................5
Discussing different types of application software which can be used by business........5
Ethical and social issues that pertain to running business...............................................6
Types of Network technologies............................................................................................8
Artificial intelligence..........................................................................................................10
Different stages of software development life cycle.........................................................11
Advantages and disadvantages of information technology................................................11
Conclusion...............................................................................................................................12
References...............................................................................................................................13

ABSTRACT
Information technology is the system with the aid of using which the computer, smartphone
or software program is used to change data and information in digital form. The use of
technology has many advantages, however there also are advantages including moral and
social factors, that can have offense results for the business enterprise in addition to a lack of
reputation. Information era brings the numerous factors into the organisation in a powerful
and green way. With the assist of IT, control is capable of make selections and supply
excellent outcomes to clients that create the sturdy relationship. Network era is a community
that allows information to be exchanged in virtual form. Software improvement is a vital a
part of data era that groups use to defend their information. The software program
improvement lifecycle includes seven levels that assist develop, design, and check the superb
software program.

Introduction
The use of computer networks to store, retrieve, send, and manipulate firm data via
telecommunication devices is known as information technology. The term "technology"
refers to the techniques, skills, methods, and processes employed by a corporation for
scientific research and production. During the efficient time frame, the assigned task is
completed with the development of technologies that have a meaning of their own in the
business world (Campbell, H. and Masser, I., 2020). As technology advances, there are
various changes in business processes such as technology driven equipment, data storage, etc.
The report is prepared through Barclays Bank, a multinational universal bank based in
London, England, UK. The bank was founded in 1690 by the Nigel Higgins. It deals with the
products of the retail, commercial, investment, private and wealth banking business. The
study discusses the types of application software which can be used in business. It also
discusses the importance of social and ethical issues which are becoming important in the
digital world. Further, it also looks at the types of networking technologies and artificial
intelligence for enhancing the business. The different stages of software development life
cycle have been explained.
Literature review
According to the 2019 technological trends, information technology is linked to
computer technology, which includes the Internet and is grouped together under the umbrella
term "information technology." Hardware, software, and networks are also included. With the
development and design of computer networks, data is processed and communicated. The
development and maintenance of software, systems, and computer networks that require the
usage of services and supporting infrastructure so that information may be handled and given
via voice, data, and video, according to the ND Century Code. Information technology, in the
context of business, refers to the computer system, which includes all hardware, software,
and peripherals, that is operated by the major IT users. It is critical to utilise information in
the workplace (Kane, G.C and et.al., 2019).
Analysis and discussion
Discussing different types of application software which can be used by business.
Application software is defining a computer program which performs specific
functions. The ability of handling user input and helps the user get the job done. It is also

known as end-user programs or just an app. It's above the operating system. The first user is
responsible for system software, and the second is responsible for application software. In
Barclays Bank's business, the end user employs application software for a specific reason. It
is set up to perform both simple and complicated jobs. It can either be installed or accessed
online. This can be a single program, or a group of small programs called an application suite.
The types of application software are as follows-
 Presentation software- This is a type of application software used in Barclays bank
which enables in representing the thoughts and ideas with ease and clarity by use of
visual information. The information is displayed in form of slides. The slides can be
made more attractive by adding text, images, graphs, and videos (Kim, G.Y and et.al.,
2018).
 Web browsers- It is used for browsing internet for locating and retrieving data across
the web. The popular web browsers are internet explorer and Google chrome.
 Spreadsheet software- This is used for performing calculations in Barclays bank.
This software helps in storing data in table format. The intersecting area calls cells,
which are separated for defining fields such as text, data, time and numbers. This
allows the user for providing formulas and functions for performing calculations. E.g.
- google sheets
 Database software- This is used in Barclays bank for creating and managing data
base which is also known as data base management system which helps in organising
data. While running application, data is fetched from database, modified and back
stored in database. The popular databases are oracle, Microsoft SQL.
Ethical and social issues that pertain to running business
The use of information technology can be done in all areas in which questions of
security and data protection arise. In the ethical area, the company must observe with
guidelines in order to develop integrity and trust in the business. The availability of computer
technology has resulted in great changes in society as the Internet offers the opportunity to
access unlimited information. There are numerous social and ethical issues that are
considered important to the efficient running of the business.
Ethical Issues
 Personal privacy- In information technology, it is an ethical problem to disclose
information and violate the privacy of every individual because IT users transmit with
the distribution of networks, information or data on a vast scale (Kumar, A and et.al.,

2018). IT gives the user the ability to have hardware, operating system, and other
software tools so that servers can be accessed that are connected to one another over
the network. Maintaining data protection and data integrity for the company and IT
users is a major challenge in Barclays Bank.
 Access Right- As technology advances, right of access is becoming a major issue for
IT and cyberspace. The development of the Internet has increased e-commerce and
electronic payment systems, which is also a problem for several business
organizations and government agencies. The network is not secured against
unauthorized access on the Internet. Intrusion detection is used to determine if the
user is an intruder or an inappropriate user (Mandal, S., 2018).
 Harmful actions- Damaging activities are characterised in computer ethics as actions
that have harmful or negative repercussions for IT, such as the loss of property,
essential information, or destruction of property. Outsiders are restricted from using
information technology based on the principle of ethical behaviour, which can lead to
losses for employees, employers, users and the general public. The loss of resources
results from the changes in the files and programs and these actions consist of
deliberate destruction in Barclays Bank. The computer systems need more time and
effort to reduce viruses for harmful actions to be recovered.
Social Issues
 Breakdown of communication- With the digitization of modern times, technology is
helping to improve life, but it is also a social problem as most of the people are busy
with cell phones and computers, resulting in breakdown in communication and
bonding. The portable devices in households provide access to information and
entertainment, but also lead to poor family communication.
 Identity theft- In the easy accessibility of computers and the internet, fraud is another
social problem as the person's personal information can be held by third parties that
can be used for malicious purposes of conducting online transactions and other
harmful activities. Several sources of data protection must be used by Barclays Bank
to store customer and employee information to prevent fraud.
 Gaming addiction- With technology, a new breed of video game addiction has
emerged that has affected the lives of people of all ages and has caused a range of
problems, from financial to social problems. People are involved in computers and
cell phones to play the games, which adversely affects education, eyesight, and

communication with others (Meng, J and et.al., 2018).
 Online scams- Business and millions of people organize their work with the Internet,
which makes electronic transactions easier. Transactions must be carried out carefully
when navigating websites. Phishing is the common fraud method that is created by
combining the words password (code) and fishing. It is an intelligent technology that
reveals personal data and information related to financial transactions in Barclays
Bank.
Types of Network technologies
The term network technology defines the connection of two or more computers that
are connected either by cable or WIFI to transfer, share and exchange data and resources. The
computer network is built using hardware such as routers, access points, cables and switches
and software such as business applications or operating systems (Motiwalla, L and et.al.,
2019). The use of protocols for communication or for the physical arrangement of
components is also defined as a computer network. Different types of computer networks are
available depending on the size and purpose of the computer network. The computer network
is connected to nodes like fibre optics, wireless signals that enable communication and the
exchange of information. The networks follow the protocols to define how communications
are sent and received, using the IP address for each device. The various computer networks
discussed are-
 LAN (Local area network)- This network is owned and managed privately, which is
associated over a brief distance for simple sharing of the information, assets and
records. In little regions, for example, structures, workplaces, schools, the PCs are
associated with each other. It requires the utilization of correspondence media like
curved pair, coaxial link, and so forth to interface more PCs. The information move is
quicker, and the LAN is worked with economical equipment that is more affordable,
for example, centers, ethernet links. The degree of safety given by the nearby
organization is high. It incorporates both wired and remote organizations.
 MAN (Metropolitan area network)- A huge geographic organization region is
covered by a metropolitan region network that associates another LAN together to
foster a bigger organization. This organization is utilized by the public authority
offices, which associates residents and the private area. The phone trade line
interfaces different LANs in a metropolitan region organization. The MAN is more
modest than WAN, however bigger than LAN. The term metropolitan characterizes

the size of the organization (Patel, D.T., 2019).
 WAN (Wide area network)- Computer networks are associated over a wide region
that interfaces billions of PCs. This organization grows over a huge geographic
region, for example, states or nations with a satellite association, phone line, and fiber
optic link. The organization of the WAN is bigger than the LAN. In business,
government, and schooling, it is utilized where the Internet is most noteworthy in the
WAN world. The wide region network is utilized by enormous organizations to
interface different locales, providers, telecommuters, and server farms to get to the
data they need and run applications.
Basis LAN MAN WAN
Definition It is a network
connection between
computers in a small
geographic area with a
small group.
The connection of the
network for
commuters is large,
but small to WAN
consisting of cities,
municipalities, etc.
The connection of the
network is distributed
over a large area
between the countries
with the help of the
Internet (Que, Y and
et.al., 2018).
Allows A single pair of
devices enables a
communication to take
place.
The number of
computers is allowed
to interact at the same
time.
It enables
communication with a
large group of
computer systems at
the same time. .
Used by LAN is used in
colleges, schools,
universities in the
same building.
The small towns and
cities use this network
for the connection in
MAN.
In the various
countries and
continents, the WAN
network is widely used
for computer system
connection.
Speed This network offers
high speed
This network delivers
the moderate speed.
It provides slow speed
compared to LAN and
WAN.
Ownership It is privately owned The MAN network is This network is too

by the peoples privately and publicly
owned (Santoro, G and
et.al., 2018).
public.
Designing and
maintenance
This network is easy to
design and maintain.
It is difficult to
maintain design and
maintenance compared
to LAN.
Compared to LAN
and MAN, the network
is difficult to design
and maintain.
Artificial intelligence
In contrast to the natural intelligence of humans, it is demonstrated by machines. This
was founded in 1965 as an academic discipline. Artificial intelligence defines the simulation
of how people think and how they imitate the actions programmed in machines. It refers to a
machine that exhibits a quality of learning and problem solving associated with the human
mind. To achieve a specific goal, Artificial Intelligence can rationalize and act. It is a machine
learning without human help, the computer programs are learned automatically, and new data
are adapted (Shabbir, M.J.S. and Mankar, C.M., 2021). The goal of artificial intelligence
includes learning, thinking, and perceiving, planning and representing knowledge. Artificial
intelligence has four approaches to think humanly, to think rationally, to act humanly, to act
rationally, which leads to thought processes and reasoning. The various possibilities are
offered by the artificial intelligence of the company organization, which is of greater
importance. The Impact of Artificial Intelligence on Business Improvement.
 Time and money are saved - the machines work more efficiently than humans. The
artificial intelligence machine operates around the clock. There is no break in work
that provides reliability in work. In the important events, it notifies you at any time to
complete the respective task. The large amount of data is also recognized by the
artificial intelligence within seconds, which usually takes less time to make decisions
and produce relevant information. In such cases, this technology helps save time and
work efficiently instead of people. The Barclays Bank's performance is also improved
as the machines don't need sleep and work continuously without getting bored.
 Business insights are generated to make smart decisions - In any business, data is
invaluable in today's economy. Artificial intelligence helps to generate data processing
quickly and efficiently to provide answers to questions that arise in the company
(Shahnazi, R. and Shabani, Z.D., 2019). It provides the customer needs and accurate

predictions of the learning they have learned. It also provides relevant predictive
analytics compared to humans.
 Artificial intelligence increases productivity - employees can focus on the task they
are performing when the task is reduced from the to-do list. Artificial intelligence
does most of the work that employees don't have to do the job. It encourages
employees to increase productivity. Real-time support is provided by artificial
intelligence when companies are constantly involved in communication with
customers. At Barclays Bank, the workload on employees is reduced, which increases
productivity by allowing employees to perform the tasks that they can efficiently do
(Silva, B.N and et.al.,2019).
Different stages of software development life cycle.
The product improvement lifecycle can be referenced to as the strategy utilized by the
product business to create, plan, and test excellent programming. The point is to create such
programming that meets and surpasses client assumptions inside the time and quotes. It
comprises of 7 phases which are talked about underneath-
 Planning - Before starting any software development, it is important to make sure
that there is adequate planning in terms of human resources and finances. The
planning outputs include the project plan, cost estimate, and procurement
requirements.
 Feasibility or Requirements Analysis - It involves ensuring that the project's
requirements will help the end-user of the system. Collecting the requirements means
talking to the stakeholders and looking at such relevant data. In this phase, the project
team conducts work meetings with the relevant stakeholders (Warkentin, M. and
Orgeron, C., 2020).
 Design and Prototyping - During this phase, the designer or developer creates a
prototype for this function or designs the solution. Prototyping is important in order to
gather feedback early on and to make technical decisions.
 Software Development - This is the phase in which the requirements of the project
are converted into working code. This is the earliest phase of software development
that the project manager sees the final product.
 Software test - In this phase, the tester puts the code through its paces. The tester
verifies the quality of the code, whether it meets the requirements of the plan, the
performance of the code, and evidence of the safe development principles.

 Implementation and Integration - This is the phase in which the code is picked up
and put in a place where people can use it. It simply means deploying the code on the
web server. In some large projects this may involve integration with several different
systems. The operations team focuses on deploying the software (Zughoul, O and
et.al., 2021).
 Operation and maintenance - In this phase, the developers monitor the software for
errors or defects. If a bug is found, they report the bug and during the maintenance
phase it is important to consider all possibilities when the development cycle starts
again. To find out if this phase is working well, the developers need to quickly
identify the problem and fix it.
Advantages and disadvantages of information technology
Information technology is helping Barclays bank to improve business services as many
online services are available and customers can conduct online transactions. Communication
is enhanced using email, telephone, etc. which facilitate the flow of information within the
organization. It helps store a lot of data and does less paperwork which saves time. The
customer relationship is improved in the HSBC-Bank with the help of technology and the
customer is sensitized by the provision of the information. The company's competitive
advantage is enhanced with the help of technology and innovative processes are developed in
order to remain efficient.
The Cons of Information Technology it is over the top expensive to keep up with the
innovation. The online business sites gather individual information utilizing treats and
propose items dependent on data. It makes joblessness and helpless employer stability as a
large portion of the errands are finished with the assistance of innovation. The organization
additionally experiences a security issue as the information can be hacked.
Conclusion
From the above report, it was concluded that information technology has far-reaching
and important business implications that lead to innovation by creating pathways for success
through technological advancement. The organization has a separate information technology
department that stores all critical data and files and works on and learns the technology to run
the business. In the industry, technological progress is confronted with several social and
ethical issues for employees and customers. Various types of business impact computer
networks are discussed in the report in order to improve business operations. The network of

LAN, MAN, WAN is interconnected. The computer network offers privacy and inexpensive.
In addition, the concept of artificial intelligence with its business impact is being developed
to improve business operations.