Introduction to IT: Software, Hardware, and Business Impact

This report provides an overview of information technology (IT) and its impact on businesses. It begins with an executive summary and introduction, followed by a literature review. The report then delves into the analysis and discussion of various software types (system, application, utility, programming, and driver software), emphasizing the importance of system software and the interdependence of software and hardware. The report explores ethical and social issues in the digital world, such as personal information, artificial intelligence, employment discrimination, voting rights, salary discrimination, and labor unions, and discusses their significance for business operations. It examines how Information and Communication Technology (ICT), including the internet and intranet, enhances business efficiency and customer responsiveness, using Tesco as a case study. Finally, the report discusses the role of IT in helping managers manage businesses effectively, including decision-making and time management. The report concludes with a summary of key findings and a list of references.

Introduction to
Information
Technology

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The use of information technology (IT) in increasing drastically. It is the use of
computers for the transmission of information and other devices. Information and
communication technology (ICT) includes any communication devices such as: mobiles, radio,
television and others which helps the users for the identification, storage, transmission and others
of information. There are various types of software such as: application software, system
software, driver software and others out of which application software have much importance.
Tesco is a multinational retailing company headquartered in UK. Information and
communication technology (ICT) helps any business to operate smoothly and respond their
customers. Internet allows companies to use information technology and information and
communication technology which is very beneficial in the administration of businesses. Intranet
is the private net of businesses used by the companies to protect personal informations.
Information technology allows managers to manage overall business including decision-making,
time management and other things.

Table of Contents
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY.............................................................................................................2
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................4
LITERATURE REVIEW................................................................................................................4
ANALYSIS AND DISCUSSION...................................................................................................5
Discuss different types of software. Which type of software is more important? Can software
exist independent of Hardware?.............................................................................................5
Ethical and social issues are increasing in the digital world. Identify and discuss their
importance to run the 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...............................................................................................................................7
Discuss the role of IT in helping managers to manage businesses.........................................9
CONCLUSION..............................................................................................................................11
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................12

INTRODUCTION
In today's world, the use of information technology (IT) is increasing around the world. It
is basically the application of computer systems and other electronic devices for the transition
and storage of information. It is helpful in communication, interaction, business purpose and
many more areas(Lloyd, 2020). There are various types of software which helps in all these
functions. This report will cover various types of software and its connection with hardware.
Tesco is the chosen organisation for this report. It is a multinational groceries and general
merchandise retailer headquartered in England, UK(Chen, 2022). This report will cover the
ethical issues and social issues which are important in running the business of the chosen
organisation. Information and communication technology (ICT) is helpful in transmission,
storage, creation, sharing and exchange of information. It is also important in the conduction of
businesses smoothly. This report will cover the importance of ICT in making the businesses
more efficient and the impact of internet and intranet on businesses. Intranet is useful in: sharing
any kind of update or change in information, connecting employees together and others. At last,
there will be the role of IT in helping managers to manage the businesses. Information
technology allows managers to improve communication, complete daily tasks more effectively
and many more.
LITERATURE REVIEW
According to Attaran (2003), “information technology is the application of computer
hardware, software, services and others for the management and transmission of informations
through pictures, videos and others”. As per Tiago and Maria (2011), “information technology
plays a crucial role in enhancing the productivity of a business. It helps firms in increasing
economic competitiveness of the country”. According to Artur Victoria (2020), “information
technology is the communication of information through various ways using technology. It is the
transmission of data, concepts and others with the intention to make information available for
persons”.
As per Owusu-Ansah (2014), “information communication technology is use for the
creation, storing, sharing and exchange of information. There is use of TV, radio, telephone and
others”. According to Johnson J., “information communication technology is the shortening of
information and communication technology”.

ANALYSIS AND DISCUSSION
Discuss different types of software. Which type of software is more important? Can software
exist independent of Hardware?
Software are the programs used to run computers and other electronic devices and
perform different tasks. It is the set of data or instructions telling the computer and other devices
how to work. Computers are useless if there is no software installed in it. MS windows, browser,
applications and many more are considered as the examples of software. There are various types
of software performing different work as per their information.
 System software: It is a kind of computer software which runs the hardware of the
computer and maintains interaction between user and hardware. It could be said that it is
an intermediator layer in between the hardware and the user. It makes a platform so that
other software could become able to work over computer. MS windows, android, USB
drivers, printers, BIOS, etc. are considered as the best example of this software.
 Application software: It is a program which performs specific, personal, business and
educational function. These are the software which are used in daily lives and help the
users in finishing their tasks such as: playing games, doing calculations, online research
and others. MS word, FoxPro, Adobe Photoshop, MindPlay, certain browsers and others
are considered as the examples of such software.
 Utility software: It is helpful in overall maintenance and optimisation of computers.
These software are useful in the detection of any virus and threat, installation,
uninstallation, backup, deletion of unnecessary files and others. It has the responsibility
to run the system smoothly. Antivirus software, compression tools, file management
tools, etc. could be considered as examples of utility software.
 Programming software: It is helpful for the programmers in writing codes. It enables
developers to develop, write, test and debug other software programs. Assemblers,
compilers, debuggers, etc. could be considered as example of this software.
 Driver software: As the word “driver” represents, it means to run or to operate. Driver
software is responsible to administer the operating system and any device to
communicate with each other. Such software controls hardware devices of any computer,
smartphones and other electronic devices.

System Software could be considered as very important software for computer and also
the users as it provides a platform to operate other various software. Other software will not be
able to administer in the absence of this software it means, computer is useless if this software is
not installed in computers.
Can a software exist without hardware?
Software and hardware are two most important components of any computer. Hardware
are various components of a computer system and software are the collection of data or programs
to perform specific task on computer. Without hardware there will be no existence of computer
as we will not able to use software. It means, a software needs hardware to operate and run. Both
of them are interdependent on each other working together to produce an effective output.
Ethical and social issues are increasing in the digital world. Identify and discuss their importance
to run the businesses
When any decision in the business organisation results in conflicts within the
organisation or with the society's ethical standards, there will be arise of ethical issues. Social
issues are the issues which affects many people of society.
Ethical issues Personal information: It is one of the primary ethical issues in technology impacting
businesses. As there is personal information at the sites and social media about the
businesses where the customers make an online purchase there is somehow the use of
personal information of the business which is helpful in convincing people to make a
purchase. Tesco is also making its personal information available at social media and
other platforms and also at its websites which may enhance its customer base.
 Use of artificial intelligence (AI): Artificial intelligence provides a great potential to the
businesses as there are many functions of it. Some of the major functions includes:
◦ Facial recognition which is helpful for attendance of employees at the work place and
also helpful in preventing the entry of any fake people
◦ Health tracking which is useful in measuring the health conditions of workers and is
important to maintain a healthy working environment at the work place and many
more(Anishchenko, Ostapchuk and Tsariuk, 2019).
 Employment discrimination: This may be a major ethical issue as if there is a difference
in between employment as per gender, cast and other which may create conflicts. But

companies may use this issue of benefit of the company as it could differ people as per
their capacities and skills and accordingly assign tasks to them. This will help the
business in identification of capable and weak employees. So that they could train the
weak one and promote the more capable employees.
Social issues Voting rights: This may be a social issue as people use it to vote wrong people or skip
voting. The company may use this issue to benefit its business as it could grab the rights
of voting who are voting improperly. It could also avoid fake votes by identification of
people who are voting and who are not. This will allow the business in having an idea
about any extra vote at the place of any person who is not voting and it could cancel the
counting of that vote. Salary discrimination: Many of the companies defines the salary of their workers as per
their cast or gender. It means there is a discrimination which may leads to conflicts and
hence a big social issue. But companies may also use this social issue for the benefit of
the company as it could assign lower salary to the individuals who are less capable in
working or may add some more amount to those who are more efficient. This may also
allows the employees in the identification of their capabilities and they could make
improvements in their skills(Schrempf-Stirling and Van Buren, 2020).
 Labour union: If the workers of a business come together and take decisions which are
not in favour of the company such as: not to work, demand high, strike to increase salary
and others then this may create conflicts and result as major social issue. But it could be
beneficial for the business as there is a union in between employees which allow them to
have better understanding and they will be comfortable in working in teams. They will
help and support each other which may help businesses n achieving the goals quickly.
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
Information and communication technology (ICT) is the set of technological tools for the
transfer, store, create or exchange of information. It plays a crucial role in the administration of
businesses. It allows everyone to communicate, interact and exchange of relevant information
with each other. It is helpful for the businesses to operate smoothly making it more efficient and

effective in context to their customers. Hence, it is helpful in enhancing the overall productivity
of the business. There is a major role of information and communication technology in the
growth of business as it is helpful in clear confusions and misconception as there is proper
communication in between employer and employees due to such technology. Various companies
are using such technology for the advancement in their businesses. Following are the key roles of
information and communication technology in context to Tesco:
 It allows the company in exchanging any kind of relevant information with its
stakeholders. This allows the companies in having proper things and raw materials on
time.
 It is used as a way of communication in between the employees of the company. This
improves relations between employer and employees which may create a good working
environment.
 It allows the company in having effective communication with its customers which is
also helpful in maintaining customer base. Customers are the kings for the companies and
improved customer base means more profit per year.
 It is used by the company for online retailing through the use of internet which results in
enhancement in selling of company's products. Online selling has increased the customer
base as it is helpful for the customers. Whatever and whenever they want things they get
it at their place. It is cost effective, helps in managing time, occurred as a better security of information
and enables the company to reach the customer fast preventing company from cyber
attacks and other threats.
Impact of Internet on businesses
As it is known, the use of internet in increasing drastically over the world as it is a huge
network allowing to connect computers across the globe. It allows businesses to use various
technologies which helps them in having updated systems and time management. It also allow
companies in promoting their products and services. It also helps in transmission of information
to its employees and customers. It has changed the whole business structure including the
improved base of customer and enhanced competitiveness. Following is the impact of internet at
Tesco:

 Internet allow the company to open a frictionless store using computer vision technology
provided by Israeli artificial intelligence startup in London.
 Internet allow the company to sale its products online which enables the company in
having strong customer base and enhanced sales. Hence, with the help of internet the
company successfully gained more profit.
 Internet allow the company in using information technology and information and
communication technology which enables it in communicating effectively with all of its
stakeholders and customers(Kumar, 2020).
 Internet enables the company to advertise and promote its products more effectively
through social media and other channels. It allows the company to reach more customers. Internet allow the company to take online payments with the help of QR code. It allow
the company in having proper security of the stores with the use of CCTV.
Impact of Intranet on businesses
Intranet is a kind of personal network including privacy and security of the data and
information of business. It enables businesses to share relevant information securely among
employees. It is helpful in the encouragement of communication at the work place as it is useful
for working in teams. Tesco has ourtesco.com intranet platform which is helpful for the company
in:
 Sharing any kind of update or change in information, rules and regulations and others in
the organisation.
 Storing important files and data of either company's stakeholders or customers.
 Connecting employees together which improves team work. Proper interaction in
between team members will enhance their working resulting in better output.
 Overall increment in the productivity of the company.
 Providing colleagues a central hub of staff focused information in which product and
service promotion, magazines, charitable events and other things are included.
Discuss the role of IT in helping managers to manage businesses
The use of Information Technology is increasing drastically across the globe which
allows many businesses to enhance their growth. Information technology, as the word represents,
it is the transmission of information with the help of technology. It enables businesses to analyse
data and accordingly plan business using latest trends. Information technology involves the use

of software and hardware with computing in transition of information. It is helpful in
improvement of business agility, staff coordination and collaboration, productivity of business,
revenue streams, performance of business, storage solutions and many more functions of
business. It is helpful for the managers of any business and hence of Tesco too. Following are the
ways in which managers of Tesco uses IT to manage the business: Improved communication with employees: As information technology is helpful in
communication at the work place, it allows the manager to communicate with the
employees in a better way. Improved communication prevents any kind of confusions
and misunderstandings which results in more efficient work. Hence the managers of
Tesco manages the working of its employee. More efficient daily tasks: As information technology allows business to use technology
in the transfer of information, it clears any kind of doubt in between colleagues. Due to
clear vision about any task, the employees will work with a proper information which
will helps the managers in having a well managed business with complete tasks. Privacy and security of data: Technology is helpful in the storage and security of data or
information. It is helpful in analysing any kind of future threat which may harm the data.
Tesco's managers uses information technology in forecasting future threats so that it
could secure the data previously(Yudhanto, 2019). Improve customer base: Technology allows the world to be more connective as it is
helpful for communication, interaction and many more. As it is known, customers are the
kings of any business as they are responsible for the success or decline of any business
and hence in the overall management of business, Tesco keep focusing at its customers
primarily. With the help of IT, there is more strong customer base which is necessary for
the company.
 Enhance connectivity: Information technology allows business to use internet which is
the reason of more connective world. This allows managers of Tesco in having more
connectivity with the customers, stakeholders and other businesses and people across the
globe. This will allow the company in having more number of customers which is helpful
for managers to manage the businesses.

CONCLUSION
From the above report it is concluded that, information technology and information and
communication technology are the reason for more connective world. According to Attaran
(2003), “information technology is the application of computer hardware, software, services and
others for the management and transmission of informations through pictures, videos and
others”. Software are the programs which are used to operate computers and other electronic
devices and perform various tasks. There are various types of software such as: system software,
application software and others out of which system software are of more importance. A
software needs hardware to operate and there is no existence of a computer without hardware.
ICT is helpful in exchanging relevant information, communication in between the employees of
the company, helpful in maintaining customer base and many more. IT plays a great role in
helping managers to manage businesses such as: improved communication with employees,
more efficient daily tasks and others.

REFERENCES
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