Information Technology and its Impact on Business Operations

This report delves into the realm of Information Technology (IT) and its pivotal role within businesses, using Tesco as a case study. It explores the diverse classifications of computers, encompassing standalone PCs, thin clients, and servers, and their applications within a business context. The report also addresses critical ethical and social issues in the digital landscape, such as data privacy, access authorization, online hate, and the spread of fake news, emphasizing their significance in shaping business practices. Furthermore, it examines how Information and Communication Technology (ICT) enhances business efficiency and customer satisfaction through improved communication via the internet and intranet. Finally, the report highlights the multifaceted role of IT in business management, acknowledging both its advantages and potential drawbacks.

INTRODUCTION TO
INFORMATION
TECHNOLOGY

Table of Contents
ABSTRACT ...................................................................................................................................................3
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................................4
TASK ............................................................................................................................................................4
LITERATURE REVIEW ...................................................................................................................................4
Discuss classifications of computer that could be used by businesses...................................................4
Ethical and social issues are increasingly becoming important in the digital world. Identify and discuss
the importance of them to run businesses,............................................................................................6
Information and Communication Technology (ICT) makes a business more efficient and effective in
responding to customer needs. Discuss the impact of Internet and Intranet on businesses.................8
Discuss the role of IT in helping managers to manage businesses........................................................12
CONCLUSION ............................................................................................................................................13
REFERENCES ..............................................................................................................................................14

ABSTRACT
This file is a brief study of information technology and it’s role in the company Tesco.
Then report includes different types of computers which can be used in business, which are
standalone computers, thin clients, servers. What are some of the social and ethical issues
important in the digital market, which are personal privacy, access authorization, online hate,
fake news etc. How ICT makes business more effective and efficient, as it helps in increasing the
customer satisfaction through communication. How inter and Intranet impacted the business,
some impacts were communication, collaboration, increased productivity, finding people easier
etc. And lastly the report discussed the role of IT, as it have its benefits and drawbacks as well
for the company.

INTRODUCTION
Information technology is the use of computers to create, process, store, retrieve and exchange
all types of electronic data and information. IT is commonly used in the context of business
activities, rather than in personal or entertainment technologies. IT is part of Information and
Communication Technology (ICT). An IT system is usually a computer system, a
communications system, or more specifically, a computer system that includes all hardware,
software, and peripherals managed by a limited group of IT users. The Sumerians of
Mesopotamia after 3000 BC. (Hendela, 2019). However, the term information technology in its
modern sense first appeared in a 1958 article. ICT is the infrastructure and building blocks that
make modern computing possible. There is no universal definition of ICT and a generally
accepted term for all devices, network components, applications and systems that allow
individuals and businesses (such as corporations, non-profit organizations, governments and
criminal enterprises) to communicate with each other. I do not see. The interactive digital world.
This report’s focal point is the company Tesco. Tesco is one of the British multinational retailers.
The company was founded in 1919 by Jack Cohen. They serve in United Kingdom, Ireland,
Hungary and many other countries too. This report covers the different types of computers that
businesses can use, the digital world and how important ethical and social issues are in doing
business, how ICT can make business more efficient and effective, the impact of the internet and
the intranet on business, and Finally, the role of IT in business management.
TASK
LITERATURE REVIEW
Discuss classifications of computer that could be used by businesses.
According to David Whitsett, it is 2022. Computers are an essential tool in the world of modern
business, whether your business is a sole proprietorship or a multi-billion dollar business.
Computers vary in shape, performance, and purpose, but can be divided into three groups. PCs
are used independently of each other, thin clients provide cheap workstations for end users, and
servers provide large networks. For Tesco, the company can use them all :-

 Personal computers – Personal computers are the most common types sold in most
retail stores and used in most small homes and offices. The chosen Tesco company
allows the use of these computers because these computers are complete systems in their
own right, with their own processor, graphics card, RAM and operating system, as well
as hard disks and optical drives for storage. These devices can be purchased in laptop,
desktop or tower format, depending on the needs of your business. Each can be uploaded
individually or with the program in a default configuration specified by the company.
They may be part of a corporate network, but are not required to use the network
(Torrebruno, 2020).
 Thin Client – From the end user’s point of view, a thin client looks and works like a
traditional PC. People still have mice, monitors and keyboards, and users interact with
computers in the same way. However, thin clients are simple computers with minimal
internal hardware. They are connected to a corporate network in which powerful servers
store programs and data and provide computing power. For Tesco with many
workstations, the acquisition and upgrade costs of thin clients represent significant
savings compared to full-fledged computers (Akhmedov and Shukhkrat, 2020).
 Servers – Servers represent the majority of business computers. This machine is
optimized to use a powerful and efficient microprocessor and fast connections. It is
designed to be placed together in groups or clusters so that you can easily add servers as
your business grows. Because Tesco is a very powerful operating system for many users,
you can use the server. Some are based on Microsoft Windows, others use Unix, Linux or
older proprietary operating systems. Server clusters, such as older mainframes and
minicomputers, are used to provide powerful computing power for corporate networks
and websites.
For companies like Tesco, standalone PCs are the most practical choice. Modern wireless
networks allow even beginners to connect these devices to easily share data and printers. As your
business grows, you'll need to hire full-time network administrators and eventually set up an
official IT department. Most large enterprises have all three types of computers, with laptops for
field workers, thin clients for office workers, standalone computers for administrators and power

users, and several large server installations to provide the most computing power ( Hockridge,
2022).
Ethical and social issues are increasingly becoming important in the digital world. Identify
and discuss the importance of them to run businesses,
According to Nelson Edewor, 2011. Businesses today face several ethical challenges.
Critical decisions must be made to protect personal freedoms and ensure the correct use of data.
Some of the main ethical issues are:
 Personal privacy - This is an important aspect of the ethical issue of information
technology. IT allows users to use their own hardware, operating systems and software to
access servers that are networked with each other and with each other. Due to the
ubiquity of networks, the transmission of data or information takes place on a large scale,
which leads to hidden possibilities of disclosing information and invading the privacy of
individuals or groups. Maintaining data confidentiality and integrity is a major concern
for the IT community and organizations. Provisions to protect data accuracy and
accidental disclosure to inappropriate persons are also subject to privacy concerns (Kruse
and Beane, 2018).
 Access authorization – A second aspect of the ethical issue of information technology is
access rights. Access rights are becoming a top priority in IT and cyberspace, along with
major advances in technology. The development of e-commerce and e-payment systems
on the Internet has exacerbated this problem in various business organizations and
government agencies. Internet networks cannot be protected against unauthorized access.
In general, intrusion detection systems are used to determine whether a user is a
malicious user or a legitimate user.
 Harmful actions – Harmful conduct in computer ethics refers to damage or negative
consequences for IT, such as loss of sensitive information, loss of property, loss of
property, destruction of property and unintended material consequences. This principle of
ethical conduct prevents foreigners from using information technology to harm users,
employees, employers and the general public. Typically, these activities involve the
deliberate deletion or modification of files and programs, leading to severe crashes. It

takes extra time and effort to remove viruses from your computer system to recover from
malicious activity.
 Patents – Such ethical issues are more difficult to resolve. Patents can protect unique and
secret aspects of an idea. Obtaining a patent is much more difficult than obtaining a
copyright. Discretionary disclosure is important in software. To create a program, the
patent holder must disclose the program details to a competent programmer.
Some of the social issues are as follows:-
 Online hate crimes, harassment and discrimination on the rise – In 2016, the number
of online hate crimes and harassment which are reported against Muslims, immigrants
and LGBTQ people and against the groups who’s working to protect the rights and
promote racial justice gone up. While, the internet and other communication technologies
are used to promote online radicalization and organization of hate groups.
 Rising fake news, misinformation campaigns, prejudice and propaganda – The use
of smart Twitter robots, targeted advertising and manipulation of search engines during
the 2016 elections had an impact on what internet users saw on certain platforms and
search engines. “Bubbles” and algorithms have been criticized for not being able to
distinguish real fiction news, and researchers have noticed a growing number of biases,
propaganda and misinformation online. Together, these factors deepen polarization and
impede the free flow of accurate information needed for public debate, policy-making,
and ultimately democracy (Kaplan, 2020).
 Trolls threaten democracy and freedom of expression – online trolls were believed to
have influenced political discourse in the 2016 US presidential election. This type of
trolling is also a global epidemic. According to Freedom House, government-sponsored
trolling operations around the world (sometimes called “troll farms”) often target
government critics and the independent media, with thousands of comments posted
simultaneously. It also pollutes online conversations with hate and misinformation.
Trolling interferes with freedom of expression and often targets journalists and activists,
political protests and various other forms of expression.

 Deregulation poses risks to consumers - in 2017, there could be deregulation by major
cable and telephone companies and a weakening of consumer protection laws. These
restricted federal rules and regulations could undermine the free, open, and secure
Internet and the many hard-earned initiatives, protections, and services that benefit low-
income individuals and families. These include efforts to improve net neutrality, federal
guidelines and regulations for the Internet of Things, subsidizing home networks and
broadband for low-income families, and regulating prison telephone charges (Sengupta,
2021).
The social interest is an integral part of the Tesco business. Tesco considers and recognizes the
effect of its decisions and operations on society and the environment and acts in a way that
contributes positively to the sustainable development, health and well-being of society. Business
ethics improves the law by defining acceptable behaviors beyond government control. Tesco has
established business ethics to increase employee loyalty and gain the trust of key stakeholders
such as investors and customers. Business ethics programs are generic, but vary in quality.
(Szymkowiak, and et. Al, 2021). Social and ethical issues are important to running the business
as they can boost employee morale and lead to greater productivity, which affects the
profitability of the business. Businesses that implement these can result in increased customer
retention and loyalty.
Information and Communication Technology (ICT) makes a business more efficient and
effective in responding to customer needs. Discuss the impact of Internet and Intranet
on businesses.
According to Ian Linton 2018. Information and communication technology (ICT) is a technology
used in communication processes such as telecommunications, broadcast media, intelligent
building management systems, audiovisual processing and transmission systems and command
and control functions based on the network. ICT is often considered an extended synonym for
information technology, but its scope is much wider. ICT is often used to describe the
convergence of several technologies and the use of common distribution networks to carry
different types and formats of data and communications.

 Improve customer satisfaction through improved communication – Tesco has a range
of essential devices for internal and external communication. The term ICT includes
mobile phones, personal computers, laptops and any device that has access to a home
office. Our customer service center, equipped with computers and the internet, allows
customers to receive real-time responses via email and live chat. If a little TLC from
customer service can solve the problem, fewer items are returned for refunds and things
go much better and more efficiently (Kurbonov and Istamova, 2021).
 More efficient employee and task planning – The rapid development of HR software
solutions facilitates the scheduling and tracking of both employees and tasks. Companies
like Tesco have developed cloud-based HR solutions to simplify many tasks that take too
long to complete manually. With built-in or customized features that allow HR
employees to schedule hours of work, vacation, vacation, and paid study time, HR
software allows employees to interact with employees one-on-one and one-on-one when
necessary.
 Providing continuing education – Tesco has spent a lot of time sending its staff to
seminars and vocational training workshops. The higher the level of training, the more
expensive it was to send staff to distance seminars or to bring in field experts for on-site
training. With the advent of telecommunications and video conferencing, employers can
now provide training through web-based devices, allowing employees to train their
companies at their convention and at a much lower cost (Romashkova et al., 2018).
 Open lines of communication between employees and management – some another
area of Tesco that frequently causes disruptions, such as lack of communication between
management and employees. Advances in digital communications give employees
24x7x365 direct access to managers to answer questions or share thoughts and
suggestions about anything from improved production methods to better product
offerings. Again, your communication options aren’t limited to email and phone calls, but
you can set up video chat to allow employees to “show” you what they’re saying without
leaving their offices.
ICT has come a very long way in recent years and is growing exponentially. As more
companies become familiar with the various aspects of information and communication

technology, the speed at which advances are made will increase and companies will find that
operational efficiencies will also increase. 21st century technology has just reached a new
frontier. It will be interesting to see where 3D communication and remote printing will take
us in the future (Ptitsyna, and et. Al, 2019).
The global influence of the Internet is well established and recognized. The penetration rate
of the internet has been phenomenal, almost 1/3 of the human population accesses the
internet. The way business is done in this digital age has changed due to the fact that so many
people are logged onto the internet. Advances in communications and information
technology have further enhanced the role of the Internet in business life. The Internet is
widely used in business for the marketing and promotion of products and services. The
Internet is used to provide customer support, share information, and train employees. As the
Internet becomes a powerful tool for employees, the impact on business of Tesco is
undeniable. The internet has transformed the functions of business. It has opened up new
ways of doing business activities in Tesco. The following are some of the impacts of the
internet on business (Rainer, and Prince, 2021):
 Communication: Communication technologies combined with the Internet have
created new dimensions for connecting and disseminating information. Employees
use email, instant messaging and office intranets. We will continue to contact you
through
 Collaboration: The Internet has made possible collaboration between the
organization’s employees. Geographical boundaries are no longer barriers to project
activity and the exchange of information.
 Business transactions: The Internet has promoted a culture of online business or e-
commerce. In recent years, many players have set up stores through e-commerce. It is
part of normal supply chain transactions, such as internet banking and payment
gateways. Flexibility at work: The Internet allows employees to access remotely from
home. This has helped keep workers informed about what is happening at work (Fox,
2020).
 Web-based applications: The Internet has allowed the development of concepts such
as cloud computing that provide large-scale processing and storage.

Some of the impacts of intranet on business
 Improve communication – Use great communication tools to help your employees
communicate the way they want. Email, voice, video, instant messaging, and social
networking allow users to get the information they need from colleagues faster than ever.
 Increased collaboration – The ability to communicate effectively with colleagues
improves collaboration, but a quality intranet will further improve collaboration, allowing
teams to work on the same document simultaneously or see exactly who has changed
what they may in the past.
 Easily find people – An interactive directory, which can be searched by people by
various criteria (name, title, department, occupation) allows colleagues to connect
quickly and easily with you. The involvement tool also indicates whether a contact can
speak now or later (Fedorova et al., 2020).
 Easier document search – Like directories, intranets make it easy to find documents on
your system with detailed but easy-to-use search functions. Offer employees a
personalized experience on the company’s intranet. For example: Being able to create
your own content while opening a homepage for relevant news, updates, applications,
and documents is a key factor in getting involved. Open source intranet platforms can
integrate existing tools. This reduces the need to buy, install and learn new applications
and allows organizations to start with an updated intranet.
 Increased productivity – Finally, intranet software can increase the productivity of all
users, while improving engagement, giving Tesco everything they need in one place. A
quality intranet increases efficiency and profitability by creating a more efficient
organization in which employees are more productive, loyal and able to collaborate and
communicate.
Discuss the role of IT in helping managers to manage businesses.
According to Sebastian Duncan, it is 2021. The IT department is the most important and
important part of building and maintaining the telecommunications network of a company like
Tesco. Tesco cannot survive without a good IT department, so it is essential for day-to-day

operations. From sending emails to changing passwords, accessing databases and everything in
between. IT helps you every step of the way. The ultimate goal of information technology for
businesses is to help companies become more efficient and productive and to help managers
manage their businesses more easily (Benkendorff, Siang and Sheldon, 2019).
 Data and information backup – The ultimate goal of data backup is to protect your
tesco data from corruption. Tesco’s IT department has standard enterprise-wide security
measures to back up data and protect company data or employee confidential information
from unauthorized deletion, loss, misuse, disclosure or alteration.
 Data Analytics – Information technology can help you analyze real data and plan trips
based on trends and information presented in the data. IT can also effectively arm Tesco
with a range of tools that can help solve complex business barriers and help plan for
future business growth (Benkendorff, Siang, & Sheldon, 2019).
Some of the advantages for A company investing in IT are:-
 Innovation
 High productivity and efficiency
 Enhancement in customer services
 Improved quality of products
 Improved communication in the organization
 High profitability
Some of the disadvantages for a company investing in IT are:-
 Expensive implementation
 Security risks
 Full dependency on technology