Introduction to Information Technology and Business Report

This report provides an introduction to Information Technology (IT) and its critical role in modern business operations. It begins with an abstract defining IT and its components, including software, hardware, and telecommunications. The report then reviews relevant literature and delves into an analysis of different software types, emphasizing the importance of application software. It also addresses ethical and social issues associated with IT, such as data privacy, misinformation, and cyberbullying. The impact of computer networks, including LAN and WAN, on business efficiency and global connectivity is discussed. Furthermore, the report explores how Information and Communication Technology (ICT) enables businesses to meet customer needs effectively, highlighting the influence of the Internet and Intranet. The report concludes by summarizing the role of IT in business management, emphasizing its impact on decision-making, customer relationships, and overall organizational success. The report uses Marks and Spencer as a case study to illustrate the concepts.

INTRODUCTION
TO
INFORMATION
TECHNOLOGY

ABSTRACT :
Information technology plays a major role in today 's era. Information technology is
defined as the fusion of computer and telecommunication technologies with other technologies
like databases, hardware and other telecommunication equipment. Information technology helps
in determining the use of creating , processing and disseminating information to business
performance. Information technology has a major impact on the success of any business , to help
business management in analysing the process to produce goods and services. Information
technology has both tangible and intangible advantage which helps organisation to make money.
Information technology helps management in taking decision in a best possible way and it also
helps in building strong relationship with customers.

Table of Contents
ABSTRACT :...................................................................................................................................2
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................4
LITERATURE REVIEW ..............................................................................................................4
ANALYSIS AND DISCUSSIONS ................................................................................................5
Analysis of different types of software and which one is more important .................................5
....................................................................................................................................................6
Describing the ethical and social issues . Identifying the importance of them to run the venture
. ...................................................................................................................................................6
Describing the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) which makes a business
to respond customer needs in an efficient way .Discussing the impact of Internet and Intranet
on businesses...............................................................................................................................9
Discussing the role of IT which helps in managing business. ..................................................10
CONCLUSION..............................................................................................................................12
REFERENCES...............................................................................................................................13

INTRODUCTION
Information technology is a broad term which helps in development, installing with the
use of telecommunication and computing. Basically the information technology is the use of
computer, soft wares , hardware, to store data , create data or to transfer the data and
information(Reuter, 2019). It is a branch of computer science , which defines the overall study
of structure, and processing of multiple types of data. It includes the use of networking and other
storage tools . It is used in the business operations to achieve the organisational goals.
Information technology is regarded as an important tool in increasing the competitiveness of the
economy of the country. Marks and Spencer is a British multinational retail company and its
headquarter is situated in Paddington , London , England. Marks and spencer is listed on London
Stock Exchange. It is founded in 1884 by Michael Marks and Thomas Spencer in Leeds. This
report discussed about different types of software and how it helps in business and also that
software is dependent on hardware. Information technology has significant role in the business.
This report will basically evaluate the importance of information technology and how this will
create an impact on business.
LITERATURE REVIEW
According to Thong & Yap in 1995 , information technology is defined as computer
software that provide an support of management , strategy , operations in an organisation.
Information technology helps in enhancing the operations of business and its productivity.
In accordance with Sharma and Bhagwat (2003) analyse the information performance systems on
the basis of operational efficiency of the information technology.
Accordingly, Levy et al. (2011) in their study , the alignment between the information system
and strategy , friendliness and functionality of the system play an important role in the business
performance.
In accordance with Sarosa & Zowaghi (2003) it states that the organisation use the information
technology to create , process , store the data. It helps in communicating with each other in an
easy way.

ANALYSIS AND DISCUSSIONS
Analysis of different types of software and which one is more important
Software is the set of instruction , programs or data which is used to operate computers
and to implement the particular tasks. It is a set of programs to perform a function(Rajaraman,
2018). Data is in the form of soft copies it is intangible , basically it is totally opposite of
hardware.
Types of Software
 Application Software – This software is designed for end – users. This is the very
common software which is used by the company . It helps in performing task in a better
way to achieve the desired objective. It includes the photo editing software, internet
browsers, Microsoft word. Marks and spencer uses this software. Marks and spencer use
these type of application software like HCM , word etc. to achieve the goals .
 Programming Software - Programming software is designed for computer
programmers who write code . It includes languages like C++ , Laravel, Python and
many more to translate them into which the computer can understand. Marks and spencer
use this software to translate the data into the computer languages .
 Utility Software - It helps computer system to work in effective and in efficient manner.
It allows the operation system in organising , managing , maintaining and also it helps in
improving the computer system . This software includes management of file, data
backup , antivirus , management tools .
 Driver Software - Driver Software controls the hardware device. They are the driver of
the hardware. It includes PC, tablet, smartphone and so on. By this software different
hardware components gets attached to these devices to communicate with operating
system.

Application software is most important software. It plays the vital role in the information
technology. It permits to perform task on the computer. Application software helps in the
operating system of the business. Application software helps in saving time and money also by
completing different task in minimum time with full efficiency. Basically this software is
designed to perform the particular task , this help user in performing the function. It makes the
system more useful(Hammett, 2018). It comes with the capability of simplifying the process
which is very complex, and time consuming , it helps in doing the task manually. This software
is used by every company because it helps in achieving the desired outcomes. Application
software has many benefits like it helps in analysing better user experience , enhanced
productivity, better decision making , enhanced usage of data. Marks and spencer apply this
software in the company which highlights the areas of areas and operations.
Hardware and software both are the two elements of the computer system. Hardware and
software both are interdependent on each other . Software can not work without the support of
hardware . But when there is no instructions given then the hardware device is useless. Software
is not that much costlier but hardware could be very expensive. The software and the hardware
both are the soul of digital computer. Hardware includes CPU, keyboard and mouse and without
these components software cannot work . Software is totally dependent on hardware to perform a
particular task. Software components run on the hardware. Hence from the above analysis it can
be said that both the elements are interdependent on each other and the software can not exist
without hardware.
Describing the ethical and social issues . Identifying the importance of them to run the venture .
This study reflects that the new wave of digitalization is creating major impact and
putting pressure on the public values. Information technology creates a major shift in the society.
Here are certain social and ethical issues -
Ethical Issues
 Personal Information - This is the primary ethical issues of the information technology
which describes that how the businesses uses the personal information. Security of data

is the major issue because data can be hacked by hackers and they can misuse the
personal information. It can exploit the privacy.
 Harmful Actions - Harmful actions can damage or can create problems to the
information technology such as loss of ownership, loss of property , misusage of
important resources(Webb and Ifenthaler, 2018) . Technology has both side negative as
well a positive . Harmful actions leads to destruction of files which drives a loss of data.
 Misinformation and Deep fakes - This is one of the ethical issues of information
technology. By this businesses faces an major losses due to miscommunication or not
getting an proper information to gain a wider support base. Rumours plays an significant
role in it . Misuse of information is very high in today's era.
Social issues
 Communication Breakdown – Communication is the key of business. It has been
analysed that the communication breakdown is one of the most important ethical issue
because now a days everyone is engaged on their phones, laptops , tablets and the
physical communication is not getting done properly and this create an breakdown. In
context of Marks and Spencer , miscommunication can create an conflict or hurdles
between employees .
 Identity Theft – It is another activity which is getting very serious now a days. It is a
social issue because the data can be hacked by anyone and can misusage the information
which is the threat for the company. Marks and Spencer provides some security policy
and guidelines to protect the information .
 Cyber Bullying - Information technology has made it very easy to attack on people by
various platform by taking the advantage of their personal information(Venne and Doerr,
2018). Cyber bullying affects the reputation of company , basically this is the case of
defamation.

Identifying and discussing the impact of computer networks on business -
Marks and Spencer is an multinational company , which are expanding their operations
geographical boundaries, sending and receiving information rapidly has become of crucial
importance.
Computer networks as a group of computers sharing resources located on provided by computer
nodes. When two or more computers are connected with each other and that allows sharing the
resources is known as computer networks(Chatterjee, 2021) . The nodes include personal
computers, hardware, servers. They support many services and applications. Marks and spencer
uses some common networks that are discussed below -
 Local Area Network (LAN)- These are those networks whose range is minimum like
office premises , apartment(Howlett, and et, al., 2018). LAN is the most useful network
used by the businesses including Marks and Spencer. This network range is limited that is
upto 1 km radius , means it is in the office area.
A simple office LAN connected with the other computers on the internet to access the
information. Marks and spencer uses this network and it create the major impact on the
company. This links the computer devices . It makes organisation very effective and productive .
It helps Marks and Spencer in communication between different sides or entities of the different
nation.
 Wide Area Network (WAN) - Wide area network is a simplest form to cover
geographical area , it covers the different locations. They connected devices from
different locations across the world(McKenzie, and et, al., 2018). This helps in store the
data and to communicate with other users. Marks and spencer takes advantage of this
network to connect with employees, customers globally.
Computer networks create major impact on the businesses. It helps organisation to
achieve the objectives . Wide area network helps business to connect with international
employees , customers, investors and others in an effective way. Both LAN and WAN helps
businesses and play a major role. The main advantage of WAN is its size . LAN networks helps

in saving the cost because of connected devices which shared resources. Marks and spencer uses
WAN over LAN because , the company is large and it may need to connect with the peoples
globally with different sites. LAN equipments are connected with the WAN that affects the user
experience. Both the networks plays an crucial role in the survival of business , LAN connect
with in the office premises and WAN connects them to the rest of the world.
Describing the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) which makes a business to
respond customer needs in an efficient way .Discussing the impact of Internet and Intranet
on businesses.
Information and communication technology is a tool which is used to store, create,
share , share or exchange the information. It helps in creating the most rapidly growing industry.
These includes , internet, computers , recording , and telephony. It is a broad concept . It is the
process of conversion with people with the help of technology.
ICT makes a business more effective and efficient in responding to the needs of the consumer. It
includes various activities that include design , Research & development , manufacturing and so
on. Information and communication technology helps in enhancing the growth of the business. It
explains every topic like financial , economical and technological which plays an major in the
development of business. It includes all the digital technology which helps organisation in
connecting with individuals and in otherwise also.
Impact of internet and intranet on the business
Internet has a wide range of community which provides various information and
communication facilities, by using various communication protocols. It is an global system
which is connected with computer networks . Marks and Spencer takes advantage of internet in
every aspect like in promoting their products , sales , production(Tom, 2020) .
This is literally impossible to conduct business without the internet. In every activity internet
plays an major role , whether it is production, manufacturing, sales , purchasing , everything
includes internet. Internet plays crucial role to run any venture successfully. Innovation and
technology is also a part of the internet which company implement in their business operations.
Internet is the best possible way to do the changes in the company. Consumer gets updated about

the new product with the help of internet , it keeps updated them on time . Internet has become
the part of the business . Marks and Spencer uses internet for marketing and selling . They
promote their product with the help of social media , websites, email and blogs . They are able to
attract more consumers and this will lead to increase their sales.
Intranet is basically used by the employees to search for an information , communicate
with people across the organisation and also in manage workflows. Intranet is the private and
close network. It helps employees to communicate with each other to collaborate . It is the
source of sharing companies information securely between the employees.
Intranet helps business in a certain way . There are various element that plays the major role in
the succession of any business. In today's era , almost all the organisation are driven by the
information, it helps in sharing the information with employees by communicating with each
other , it helps in employee engagement(Kung, 2019) . It enhances the productivity because of
its business process which is very simple by using digital forms and etc.. Intranet helps
businesses in saving the time because of its navigation. Intranet helps in improving the content
management system .
Discussing the role of IT which helps in managing business.
Information technology helps in analysing the specific data and it helps to plan the future
of the business by using the trends and information presented in the data. Businesses use the
information technology through the use of computers and software to run the business operations
in an easy way. Information technology is a crucial part of the company because they manages
and monitors everything. There are certain roles of information technology which helps
managers to manage business -
 Decision making process - Information technology helps business in making decisions
according to the situation. Market research can be done in several ways through social
media, blogs , surveys and other platforms that help organisation in taking the decisions
according to the research and surveys . These online platforms make sure the accuracy of
the data.

 Organisational Communication - This is one of the important use of information
technology in business through various platforms such as email, video chat and etc. It
helps business in virtual meetings with employees , clients across the world without
spending so much time and money on travel. In this process the communication is very
quick and effective. It allows business to communicate with millions of customers
globally.
 Security of Data and information - The main goal of safeguarding is to protect the
data . The information technology department will ensure that the data of the company
should be safe (Coeckelbergh, 2019). For that the information technology department
introduced the data protection laws to safe the data or not corrupt it . For protecting the
data from hackers they introduced this law. IT department is responsible for the security
procedures.
 Customer Satisfaction - Customer is the key of success of business. Business success
is depend on the satisfaction level of customers. Communication helps in understand the
needs of an individual and this can be possible with information technology because it
provides many channels to connect with existing customers all over the world.
 Management of resource - Resource management is the important part of the business
success. When it comes to large scale organisation , it becomes very difficult for the top
management to manage all the resources correctly. Information technology helps in
managing such complicating process by introducing an user friendly method. Mostly all
the large companies uses this cloud based solutions to manage the resources.

CONCLUSION
Information technology plays vital role in the business. It is an integral part of the
business . It considers every kind of organisation small, medium , large. It is impossible to run
the business without information technology in today's world. The above report states that
software can not work without hardware. They both are interdependent on each other. It also
reflects that how the information technology affects the ethical and social issues . It can be said
that the ethical and social issues are rapidly increasing in this virtual world . Computer networks
like LAN , WAN are helping the business to enhance their performance. As mentioned above
information communication technology is helping business to work efficiently and effectively.
Intranet and Internet play a key role in the organisational communication internally as well as
externally. They help businesses in providing relevant information . Information technology has
various roles which help managers in managing the business such as decision making process , in
securing the data of the company , management of resources and so on . Information technology
helps organisation to work efficiently. From this report it can be concluded that the information
technology helps organisation to run the business in an most efficient and effective way.

REFERENCES
Books and Journals
Rajaraman, V., 2018. Introduction to information technology. PHI Learning Pvt. Ltd..
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.
Webb, M. and Ifenthaler, D., 2018. Section introduction: Using information technology for
assessment: Issues and opportunities.
Howlett, and et, al., 2018. INT-010 The impact of the introduction of health information
technology on medication errors in a paediatric intensive care unit.
Tom, S., 2020. Introduction to web-based information and control systems. In Information
Technology for Energy Managers (pp. 9-15). River Publishers.
Kung, Y.L., 2019. An e-Learning System for Introduction to Information and Communication
Technology.
Coeckelbergh, M., 2019. Introduction to philosophy of technology.
McKenzie, and et, al., 2018. Introduction to the special issue: technology in retailing. Baltic
Journal of Management.
Chatterjee, R., 2021. Introduction to IT Security. In Red Hat and IT Security (pp. 1-21). Apress,
Berkeley, CA.
Hammett, D., 2018. Introduction: technology and development: optimism, pessimism or
potential?. International Development Planning Review, 40(3), pp.227-238.
Venne, V. and Doerr, M., 2018. Introduction to the “Technology in Practice” Special
Issue. Journal of Genetic Counseling, 27(2), pp.317-319.