The Role of Information Technology in Tesco's Business Operations

This report provides a comprehensive analysis of Information Technology (IT) and its impact on Tesco, a leading UK-based supermarket. The report begins with a literature review, classifying computers based on size, functionality, and data handling, providing examples for each category. It then explores the advantages and challenges of IT implementation in business, including improved communication, cost reduction, strategic thinking, data protection, and time savings, while also addressing issues like excessive dependence on technology, implementation costs, data regulations, cyber threats, and security concerns. Furthermore, the report delves into ethical and social issues, such as personal privacy, access rights, harmful actions, patents, copyright, trade secrets, liability, and piracy, and their impact on businesses, particularly the potential for data loss. The report concludes with a discussion of the benefits and drawbacks of Tesco's IT investments and a final conclusion summarizing the key findings.

Introduction to
Information
Technology

Table of Contents

INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................1
LITERATURE REVIEW................................................................................................................1
Classification of computers with at least one example for each............................................1
Impact of IT in a business with advantages and challenges...................................................3
Discuss ethical and social issues and their impact on businesses..........................................5
Identify and discuss the growth and impact of Internet on businesses...................................6
ANALYSIS AND DISCUSSION...................................................................................................8
Benefits and drawbacks of TESCO investing in Information Technology............................8
CONCLUSION................................................................................................................................9
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................10

INTRODUCTION
Information Technology can be defined as the using of the technical devices in a
collaborative manner such as hardware and software equipment collectively in order to
implement it either individually or in an organisation. It includes different software’s and
hardware’s along with the internet and networks which are required to be implemented in the
computer systems to work efficiently (Dwivedi, Rana, Jeyaraj and Williams, 2019). Organisation
chosen here is the Tesco, it is one of the leading retail Supermarket company which is based in
United Kingdom and established in the year 1919. It offers products and services like groceries
and credit services and many more. It has implemented the information technology in the
organisation for better operations and Management in the company. The following discussion is
based on the classification of computers with at least one example for each, impact of
information technology in our business with advantages and challenges, discussing ethical and
social issues and their impact on businesses, identification and discussion on the growth and
impact of Internet on businesses and benefits and drawbacks of Tesco investing in information
technology with proper findings and conclusion.
LITERATURE REVIEW
Classification of computers with at least one example for each
On the basis of size
Super computers
It is one of the classification of computers that is the on the basis of size which includes
supercomputers which means that they are the highest performing systems and are considered as
the world's fastest 500 supercomputers runs Linux dependent OS. Investigation says that these
computers are essentially used in the domain of Crypto analysis. For example, Param, Jaguar and
roadrunner.
Mainframe computers
It is an another classification of computers that is on the basis of size which includes
mainframe computers which means that they are used in the big organizations where the large
amount of data is processed and analyzed. For example, IBM Z series, series Z 9 and Systems
Z10 servers (Cirillo and Zayas, 2019).
Mini computers
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It is also one of the classification of computers that is on the basis of size which includes
the mini computers which means that they are sold in a much cheaper rate than above discussed
computers and their design for control and instrumentation for personal uses with development.
For example, personal laptop, personal computers and many more.
Micro computers
It is also an another classification of computers that is on the basis of size which includes
the microcomputers which means that they are inexpensive with the microprocessor data used in
the day to day life of a person and they can carry easily anywhere and anytime. For example,
tablets, smartwatches and many more.
On the basis of functionality
Servers
It is one of the classification of computers that is on the basis of functionality which
include servers which means that they offer setup for approximately facilities to the customers
liable on the needs and requirements of the user. For example, security server and database
server and many more.
Workstation
It is an another classification of computers that is on the basis of functionality which
includes the workstation which means that they are designed to get used by single user at a time
which runs multiuser operating system and are used in a day-to-day personal or commercial
work (Watrous-deVersterre, 2019).
Information appliances
It is also one of the classification of computers that is on the basis of functionality which
includes the information appliances which means that they are the portable devices which
performs the tasks like calculations and playing multimedia while browsing the internet and
many more. They are referred as the portable devices with a partial memory & elasticity.
Embedded computers
It is also an another classification of computers that is on the basis of functionality which
includes the embedded computers which means that it serves The Limited set of requirements
which have the non-volatile memory and are not obligatory to perform restart or rearrange. The
basic requirements and processing units are same used in the personal computers and
workstations.
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On the basis of data handling
Analog
It is one of the classification of computers that is on the basis of data handling which
includes analogue which means that they are the form of PC which practices the unceasingly
variable features of physical detail such as Electrical and motorized problem to get solved. It
works in respect of time and distance along with their measurements. For example, analogue
clock.
Digital
It is an another classification of computers that is on the basis of data handling which
includes digital which means that it performs the calculations and logical operations which
represents in the form of digit and binary number system of 0 and 1. For example they are used
in the simulate dynamic systems in order to estimate the Global weather patterns (MYKULIAK
and STEFANYSHYN, 2020).
Hybrid
It is also one of the classification of computers that is on the basis of data handling which
includes hybrid which means that it processes both analogue and digital data which accepts the
analogue Signals and translates them to numeral & process them in numerical method.
Impact of IT in a business with advantages and challenges
Advantages
Improves communication
It is one of the impact of information technology in a business with advantage that is
improves communication which means that Technology helps in enhancing the interaction
among the stakeholders of the business for better completion of the project undertaken
(FARZANA, 2019).
Cuts cost
It is an another impact of information technology in a business with advantage that is it
cuts cost which means that using the technology in an organization is the cost effective and
efficient method because it saves the extra expenses which are mainly occurred in the data
management and in non-technical activities.
Encourages strategic thinking
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It is also one of the impact of information technology in a business with advantage that is
it encourages strategic thinking which means that Technology helps the company in innovation
and creativity in their product and services offered to the customers in a potential manner.
Protects information
It is also an another impact of information technology in a business with advantage that it
protects information which means that the data which is manage manually can be now managed
with the help of technology in a protected manner with a safety.
Saves time and energy
It is one of the impact of Information Technology in a business with advantage that it
saves time and energy which means that using technology in a company is a time and energy
saving process because it performs the work in a minutes rather than taking the hours (Watrous-
deVersterre, 2020).
Challenges
Excessive dependence on technology
It is one of the impact of information technology in a business with challenge that is the
excessive dependency on technology which means that after the invention of Advanced
technology in an organization, the companies are more and more dependent on the technology
which can prove unsafe for them.
Cost of implementation and regulatory compliance
It is an another impact of information technology in a business with challenge that is the
cost of implementation and regulatory compliance which means that there is the high cost in the
installation of the technology and its maintenance by following its laws and regulations
associated with it.
More data regulations
It is also one of the impact of information technology in a business with challenge that is
the more data regulations which means that all those Technology has given inconvenience in the
database management system but the regulation of data is more important so that it can be
secured and protected.
Cyber thefts
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It is also an another impact of information technology in a business with challenge that is
the cyber theft which means that there are a lot of hackers who are doing misconduct and illegal
cyber-crime in order to steal money from an individual or from an organization.
Security and privacy issues
It is one of the impact of information technology in a business but challenge that is the
security and privacy issues which means that Technology give for lots of benefits to the
company in terms of working but it also gives the security and privacy issues as well in terms of
the security of the system and privacy of their confidential and important data (Liu, Li, Zhang
and Cheng, 2019).
Discuss ethical and social issues and their impact on businesses
Ethical and social issues
Personal Privacy
It is one of the ethical and social issues that is the personal privacy which means that it
enables the operators in having their personal hardware and OS which are connected to each
other with the help of network. Because of the delivery of the system on a big measure,
information transmission in a large quantity take place which results in the times of revealing of
a data and sacrilegious the confidentiality of the company.
Access Right
It is an another ethical and social issue that is the access right which means that system
on the internet is not protected from any illegal exist and the intrusion detection system are used
to examine that the operator is an Impostor or a proper operator (Levinskaya and Ibragimova,
2020).
Harmful Actions
It is also one of the ethical and social issue that is the harmful actions which means that it
includes harm of vital data and damage of belongings along with the damage of possession and
obliteration of assets. This is done in order to steal the money for blackmailing the company for
some other cause.
Patents
It is also an another ethical and social issue that is the patents which means that obtaining
the patent is a very difficult task because it demands the disclosure of the required software in
which programmer needs to give the full details of the program even which are confidential.
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Copyright
It is one of the ethical and social issue that is the copyright which means that it is the very
powerful legal technique to protect the computer software in order to prevent from security
breach. But such breaches are mishandling and misuse of data and computer programs.
Trade Secrets
It is an another ethical and social issue that is the trade secrets which means that the law
protects the private aspects of the innovation with the help of trade secrets. But it is once
disclosed then it can be lost and is only protected by the law (Taherdoost, 2018).
Liability
It is also one of the ethical and social issue that is the liability which means that it is
dependent on the ethical decisions in which the software development promises to the user that
they will maintain the quality and confidentiality of the software in a respected manner. It is all
done in the form of agreement but still it is the privacy issue that the software developer can
disclose it.
Piracy
It is also an another ethical and social issue that is the piracy which means that it is an
action of the formation of unlawful duplicate software. So that it can be sold out and earn a black
money out of it which is totally illegal in the eyes of law which can destroys the originality of the
original software developed.
Impact on business
Loss of data
It is one of the impact on business of the ethical and social issue that is the loss of data
which means that if the business faces any of the ethical and social issue discussed above then
they can face the large amount of data lost which can result in in loss in the company.
Loss of reputation
It is an another impact on business of the ethical and social issue that is the loss of
reputation which means that if the business faces all such ethical and social issue then they can
easily lose their reputation in the Marketplace and spoils that image if the privacy is disturbed
(Tsoy, Sabirova and Magid, 2018).
Identify and discuss the growth and impact of Internet on businesses
Communication
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It is one of the growth and impact of Internet on business that is the communication
which means that internet helps in the interaction with the customers and other stakeholders of
the company in an effective manner.
Collaboration
It is an another growth and impact of Internet on business that is the collaboration which
means that internet supports the business in being collaborator with the employers and
employees along with the customers and competitors (Bhardwaj, Bhattacharya, Tang and
Howell, 2019).
Business transaction
It is also one of the growth and impact of Internet on business that is the business
transaction which means that online transactions help the businesses in Getting their work faster
and easy and in a suitable manner.
Work flexibility
It is also an another growth and impact of Internet on business that is the work flexibility
which means that with the help of internet business can operate their work from anywhere and
anytime with better communication and operations.
Web based application
It is one of the growth and impact of Internet on business that is the web based
applications which means that company can use the software which can be used online and
online storage is also possible for security.
Marketing opportunities
It is an another growth and impact of Internet on business that is the marketing
opportunities which means that market research is easy with the help of the Internet and analysis
as well which results in better opportunities (Tzortzopoulos, Kagioglou and Koskela, 2020).
Competitive advantages
It is also one of the growth and impact of Internet on business that is the competitive
advantage which means that if the company uses internet in browsing efficient data and
information about the competitors that they can is the fight against them and can have the
advantage.
Remote staff
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It is also an another growth and impact of Internet on business that is the remote staff which
means that with the help of internet company can interact with that employees from anywhere
and anytime to perform the task (McKenzie, Burt and Dukeov, 2018).
ANALYSIS AND DISCUSSION
Benefits and drawbacks of TESCO investing in Information Technology
Benefits
Increased productivity
It is one of the benefit of Tesco investing in information technology that is the increased
productivity which means that after implementation of the advanced technology in the Tesco,
they have benefited with the increment in their productivity with better quality management and
operations.
Improved sales and revenue generations
It is an another benefit of Tesco investing in information technology that is the improve
the sales and revenue generations because advanced technology support Tesco in formulating the
Strategies for better sales that results in the good revenue.
Customer relationship
It is also one of the benefit of Tesco investing in information technology that is the
customer relationship because with the help of variety of network they can easily handle the
customer experience with their company and maintaining the long-term relationships with the
customers (Misra, Lotrecchiano, Wang and Khalil, 2018).
Employee management
It is also an another benefit of Tesco investing in information technology that is the
employee Management which means that employ are the greatest assets in the form and therefore
they have managed the employees by using the advanced technology of training and
development and providing them efficient resources to work on it.
Drawbacks
Maintenance cost
It is one of the drawback of Tesco investing in information technology that is the
maintenance cost because Tesco is facing the high expenses in maintaining and updating their
advanced technology in a frequent basis.
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