Introduction to Information Technology Report for Business Operations

This report provides a comprehensive analysis of information technology (IT) and its impact on business operations, using TESCO as a case study. It explores various aspects of IT, including computer technologies, ethical and social issues, different types of networks (LAN, WAN, MAN), and the significance of the internet and intranet for businesses. The report also delves into the role of IT in management, specifically focusing on inventory management, data management, and customer relationship management (CRM) systems. Additionally, it outlines the different stages of system development, from planning to maintenance, highlighting their importance in the context of IT. The analysis incorporates literature reviews and discussions, providing insights into the effective utilization of IT for achieving organizational goals and objectives.

INTRODUCTION TO
INFORMATION
TECHNOLOGY
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Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION ..........................................................................................................................3
MAIN BODY...................................................................................................................................3
LO1..................................................................................................................................................3
Understand and frequently used computing technologies..........................................................3
LO2..................................................................................................................................................4
Understanding of the ethical and social issues associated with technology...............................4
LO3..................................................................................................................................................5
Difference between types of network.........................................................................................5
LO4..................................................................................................................................................6
Understanding the growth in ITC and use of internet and its effect on the business..................6
LO5..................................................................................................................................................7
Role of IT in the management.....................................................................................................7
LO6..................................................................................................................................................8
Explain different stages of system development ........................................................................8
CONCLUSION................................................................................................................................9
REFERENCES .............................................................................................................................10
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ABSTRACT
The below report provides an analysis on the information technologies that undertaken
the understanding of computer technologies and the ethical and social issues which are
associated with this. Furthermore, types of network are also explains and there use which are
based on the certain factors. This report has also analyse the growth of ITC and use of internet
that has the impact on the businesses operations. Along with this is has provides the outcome
with the understanding of role of IT in the management and different stages in the system
development.
INTRODUCTION
Information technology refers to the study, development, implementation of the computer
based system in to the management of the organisation. It is considered to be as the subset of the
information and communication technology (ICT) which is used to solve the business or
organisational problems at the broad or large scale. This ensures effective and smooth running
while aligning with the organisational needs to achieve the goals. This factor is encompasses
with the provider of technology support, network maintenance, security testing and device
management role. This also focus on the physical component of the IT infrastructure it provide
maintenance to the equipments like routers, servers, phone system and individual devices such as
laptop(Avgerou and Walsham, 2017).
This study is based on the TESCO which is the British multinational retailer that deals in the
groceries and general merchandise. It has the shops in seven countries across Europe and Asia
and is the market leader of groceries in UK. This study includes the understanding of computer
technologies, ethical and social issues associated with the technology, types of networks.
Furthermore it also includes the growth of ITC, use of internet and its effect on the business. In
addition to this it also have the role of IT in the management and different stages of the system
development.
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MAIN BODY
Literature review
Role of IT
As per viewpoint of Ashley Donohoe, 2019, Computer technology has been formulate
and develop for storing and processing data using different distributed resources that can be often
stored in the third party centres. Constructing software system by incorporating and composing
cloud services in the organisation provides various advantages like flexibility within the
operations and scalability to the firm as this factor can be used at any scale. On the other hand it
also has to face some challenges like it increases complexity, fragility and changes during
operations are unforeseeable at the time of development of software. A cloud based system id
designed as to change rapidly, and that also required a effective communication and
collaboration between software developer and operators. For the effective system in the
management there should be a strong integration of system building and involves the adaption of
system in the activities of the organisation (Bala and Venkatesh, 2016).
Ethics and social issues of IT
According to the viewpoint of deb shinder, 2005
Information technology refers to the components that are used to store, fetch and manipulate the
information even at the minimum level with the server having the operating system. IT is consist
of the wide area of application in education, business, health, industries, banking sector and
scientific research at the large level. With the leading advancement of the technology it is
important to know about the social and ethical issues related to it which can have a negative
impact on the process (Chae, Koh and Park, 2018).
Ethical issues
Personal privacy: It is an important aspect in the ethical issues of the information
technology. It provides facilities to the user in terms of their own hardware, operating system and
software operating tool to access the sever which are connected to each other at a large level.
Data and information transfer in a big amount takes place that may have the changes of disclose
and violating the privacy of an individual as well as organisation.
Trade secrets: Trade secrets consist of security of the something value and useful. This is
the law which is made to protect the private aspects of idea or information which is only known
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to the only discover. This law of trade secrets is very broad in terms of computer rage. A person
with the advancement in the software and hardware can provide a significant competitive
influence in disclosing the trade secrets which can destroy the privacy of the secrets.
Social issues
Fake news or campaigns of misinformation: In today’s scenario internet and other
communications technologies are being used to flow the fake news and misinformation to the
user and this factor is contribute in to the increase polarization and hamper the free flow of
accurate information that is the essential aspect for the civil discourse, policy making and to
ultimately democracy that includes right to know the right information.
Government database pressure: Technologies and data processing power get more sophisticated
as due to the government database such as national security entry-exit regulation system, differed
action which can be used to discriminate against or target unprotected groups.
Networks and their types
As per viewpoint of Chaitanya singh, 2020
Basis Local area network
(LAN)
Wide area network
(WAN)
Metropolitan area
network (MAN)
Meaning LAN is an privately
owned network that
operates in a small
geographical area and
is used to connect
personal computers at
workstation like
office or factories to
share the information
or documents.
Wide area network
covers the large
geographical area
often country,
continent or even
whole world. The
customer or host are
connecting to the
subnet and that is
connecting to the
internet service
provider company.
Metropolitan area
network covers the
city or large area. It is
designed for the
customers who want
the high speed and
have endpoints within
the city.
Scale Operates in small area
such a room, building
or a same campus.
Operates in entire
world or continent,
larger area such as
The MAN is operates
in city or large area.
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country.
ownership This is privately
owned by the
customer. As this
used in a small area
such as office
Usually public owned,
the service under
Public private
partnership (PPP) is
providing by some
large companies.
Man can be both
private and public
owned (Vanpoucke,
Vereecke and Muylle,
2017).
Importance of internet and intranet in a businesses
According to the viewpoint of josh fredman, 2020
information technology is become the most essential part in all sectors as it provides support in
to reduce the transmission cost and provide better connectivity along with this, it help in to
improve the manufacturing and operational activities and enhance the efficiency of the
management. And helps in to sustain for the longer period at the market place. This helps in to
the expansion of business without wasting much time and money. It is used in many ways in the
business such as electronic mail that help into the effective communication within the
organisation. Along with this also provide support in E-COMMERCE and FTP file transfer that
facilitates the security to the important documents and informations.
Software development life cycle
According to the viewpoint of alexandra altvater, 20201. Planning stages: The Planning comes first in any software development project. Before
getting started, make sure the project has enough human resource and financial backing.
The entire project team has involves in planning phase and outcomes of this planning
includes project plan, cost estimation and equipment requirements.2. Feasibility or Requirement Analysis stages: This stage involves gathering of all the
requirements such as data, information and resources and it also includes talking to the
stakeholders and looking for the data as much needed and ensures the requirements that
help to the end users.
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3. Design and prototyping stages: this phase involves and designing and prototyping, this
helps in to get early feedbacks and information technical decision that to meet the user
needs without any disruption (Navío-Marco, Ruiz-Gómez and Sevilla-Sevilla, 2018).4. Software development stages: This stage develops project requirements and prototypes in
to the working code. Here plans come into the action to develop the software as per the
user needs. This will often includes confirmation from the end users or from the product
owners regarding some things so that it eliminates the disruptions while using the
software.5. Software testing stage: In this stage developer tests the software as it is according to
requirement or not. Output of software testing provides the better solution that is
associated with the user needs. While doing testing developer look towards the code
quality, whether codes meet the requirements, evidence of secure development software.
They will often seek for the clarification from the user of product or from the owner of
the software.6. Implementation and integration: this phase is consisting of implementation of code into
the action. Here software is implemented into action and also integrated with the other
server or systems. This stage provides output as useable software that can be used in the
organisation. Some use this for the creation of documents and some as the marketing
material or tool for the effective operations within the organisation.
7. Operations and Maintenance: this is the last stage where developer watches software
while operating in the organisation and if indentify any defect then develop report in to
provide maintenance and improvement for the effective working and to meet the
requirements of the user (Noble, 2017).
The development software is the essential part in to information technology department
of the company. A proper development of software while using all the stages in the effective
manner facilitate the software that helps the organisation in to set the cloud based server, helps in
to effective marketing, maintaining customer relationship and storage of the documentations and
data. Overall it provides smooth running and effective working of the organisation in order to
achieve the goals and objectives (Zurawski, ed, 2018).
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Analysis and discussions
Role of IT
With the context Tesco, it is the multinational retailing company that needs the effective
connection across the countries for their operations. That is only be possible by the effective
information technology department that makes easier for the business to operates in a large area
while connecting with several offices it makes easy to collaborate them, facilitates in the
strategic planning and effective marketing across the Asia and Europe.
Information technology plays a vital role in the management as its provide the strong technology
system and effective working of the operation within the different functions of organisations.
Role of IT in management is discussed below in the context to Tesco:
Inventory management system: organisation needs to maintain the enough demand to
meet the demand of the customers. This factor enables to track the quantity of each item a
company maintain and order of additional stock when quantities fall down below the pre- fixed
amount. This provides best use when it is connected to the point-of-sale system. POS system
ensures that each item which is sold is removing from the inventory count and creating the
closing information loop between the all departments (Melián-González and Bulchand-Gidumal,
2016).
Data management system: in today’s scenario companies store digital versions of
documents on server and on storage devices. It plays an important role in to proper and effective
management of the data, documentation and information within the organisation. That enables
the Tesco to maintain the all the important data in a effective way and can be found easily when
it needed that eliminates disruption while going on operations in the organisation.
Customer relation management: IT also facilitates the companies to improve the designs
and management of the customer relation. Customer relationship management (CRM) stores
every interaction that company have with the customers so that it helps in to more enriching
experience. This will provide Tesco to maintain the better customer relation and helps in increase
the customer base.
Management information system: this is used by the companies who use their data for
the strategic planning process as well as tactical execution of the strategy. IFS enable companies
to measures the sales data, expenses, cost and productivity level. With this Tesco is ensures to
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measures the profitability over a period of time, maximum return on investments and find out the
area of improvement(Singh and Teng, 2016).
Ethics and social issues of IT
In the perspective of TESCO Company, they have a special focus on their information
technology departments as it is consist of all the data and information in which some information
is private to the organisation. For this company heir IT experts and have a patent and copyrights
for the security of the server (Lioukas, Reuer and Zollo, 2016). And also use this factor by
considering ethical and social issues. But along with this this may face the social issues such as
fake news and campaign of misinformation in which it can face the problem of getting down in
brand image. And some ethical issues such as personal privacy and trade secrets. An individual
with the knowledge of IT can easily crack password and will get the secrets and personal
informations that can be use in a negative way.
Networks and their types
Networks is refers to collection of computer , servers and network devices that are uses to
transfer the information, files, or documentation. There are various types of networks such as
LAN, MAN and WAN. In this LAN is n network which is used for the small area such as office
or room. MAN refers to the types of network that is used for the little large area such as city and
WAN is used for the country continent or even for the whole world. In relation TESCO company
which is an multinational retailing company so they are using WAN( wide area network) that
helps in to connect with the several countries in which it operates.
Internet and intranet in a businesses
Information and communication is associated with the term technology which is used to
handle telecommunications, broadcast, cloud based server for management, audiovisual
processing, transmission system and monitoring of network based system. The rapid growth in
ITC is drastically changed the all aspects of the human life and has also impacted all the sectors
including libraries, perceptions and expectations (Lloyd, 2020). ITC becomes the one of the most
essential aspect in the all sectors and departments its provides support in to reduce the
transmission cost and also improve productivity as it offers immediate connectivity, covers the
wide geographical area and access to the unavailable goods and services. It is the factor which
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provides infinite advantages to all types of the departments within the effective cost and becomes
the important aspect as to run the business in an effective manner and with the perfection.
Use of internet and its effect on the business
Electronic mail: Mail via internet is used for sharing information, data files, videos and
photos. With the use of this business enables faster and effective communication between people
within or outside the organisation that results in to improve efficiency. Email has reduced the
usage of paper work and also eliminates load on physical mail system. This helps the Tesco in to
effective communication within the organisation without wasting and money.
FTP file transfer: This is the one of the major use of internet. FTP refers to the file
transfer protocol that provides data exchange between two stakeholders with the use of internet
in a secure way. Email restricts the size of a file and also not secured to share sensitive
information and confidential data (Mauerhoefer, Strese and Brettel, 2017). FTP facilitates
successful sharing of files in a secure way. This factor provides security for the value and
confidential information to the respective.
E-commerce: Internet enables the business to sell their product and service in online
mode. This provides business to reach to the new market segments and target customers. This
provides access to the wide geographical while setting at one place. Also help in to expand
business through e-commerce. With the implementation of this Tesco is can expand their
business to the new market place and can increase the customer base.
.
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CONCLUSION
It has been concluded from the above analysis that information technology refers to the
components that is used to store, fetch and manipulate the information. It is the used in
organisation that provides flexibility and scalability to the firm. It is also associated with the
various social and ethical issues which can also have a negative impact on the business
operations. And there are various types of networks which used as according to the scale of the
organisation. In the today scenario ITC is growing faster in the various departments and that also
has a positive impact on the smooth running of business operations and played an major role in
the management in order to achieve the desired goals and objectives in a effective manner. In
addition to this various steps that is includes in the development of system within the
organisation to accomplish the goals in a effective manner and with the perfection.
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