Information Technology's Influence on Business Operations and Strategy

This report examines the profound impact of Information Technology (IT) on modern businesses. It explores the diverse applications of IT across various business functions, including marketing, data management, decision-making, sales, manufacturing, monitoring, designing, transaction processing, and market research. The report highlights the significant benefits of IT, such as increased efficiency, enhanced speed of operations, and reduction in errors. However, it also addresses critical issues associated with IT implementation, including security threats, privacy concerns, high costs, and maintenance challenges. The report further proposes practical solutions to mitigate these issues, such as the use of malware protection, authentication passwords, and employee training. Ultimately, the report concludes that while IT offers substantial advantages, businesses must proactively address its associated challenges to ensure optimal performance and maintain a competitive edge.

IT for business
Contents

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INTRODUCTION.....................................................................................................................................1
Use of IT in business..........................................................................................................................1
Benefits of using IT in business..........................................................................................................1
Issues in use of IT within business.....................................................................................................2
Ways to resolve these issues.............................................................................................................2
CONCLUSION.........................................................................................................................................2
REFERENCES..........................................................................................................................................3
INTRODUCTION
In the modern times it has become necessary for the firms to take use of advanced
technology. As information and technology has not only fasten the speed of operation but it

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has also enhanced the efficiency of the firms (Rai & Tang, 2013). IT is being utilised in
various fields of business. It has become essential for the companies to use IT systems that
helps in making work process easier. Customised IT systems for various industries has helped
firm in making their operational procedures easier and efficient. Every department within an
organisation is somehow interconnected with information technology. This has empowered
management to have control over the operations of the firm while sitting far away from their
workplace. This report highlights the ways in which IT has affected the business in positive
and negative senses. It also underlines the empowerment that is given by advanced software
and hardware to various businesses.
Use of IT in business
This is the Era of technology which has forced companies to make use of IT systems for their
operations (Venkatesh, Thong and Xu, 2012). There are many kinds of systems that are
available for operations in various fields of business. Some of the most widely used
technologies in various operations are as possible.
 Marketing: Today’s marketing has shifted from traditional ways to the digital
mediums. It has made the processes simpler and has a potential of reaching to larger
sections of the society (Wu, Straub and Liang, 2015). Use of websites and apps has
given direct contact with consumers which help them in showcasing various aspects
of the products to consumers and hence increasing sale. Apart from this it is also to be
understood that use of modern software and social media sites reduces the overall cost
of operation as well as it gives the larger view of the market.
 Data management: It has become essential for the firms to manage its data. Use of
technology in this regard has reduced the complexity of the problems (Tanriverdi and
Uysal, 2011). Many Multinational companies have their operational units in various
parts of the world and hence it has become necessary for them to have centralised data
storage and access system. Cloud software provides excellent solution in tis regards.
 Decision making: Various software are available with the firm which helps them in
making quick decisions. These software evaluate the data that is stored by the
company from their operations in past. This helps them in understanding the scenario
and taking decisions accordingly.
 Sale: Companies are taking use of various websites like their own site or some other
e-commerce website for selling their products (Business 2 Community, 2018). This

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has reduced the efforts of employees as multiple products can be made available to
the consumers and they can select as per their choice. This helps company in
enhancing their sale as more options gets available to potential consumers as per their
demand.
 Manufacturing: There are several kinds of manufacturing processes in which IT is
being used. One of the most significant roles of IT is in automation which helps them
in performing operations without excess manual interventions. IT software helps firm
in detecting any flaws as well as performing operations as per the requirement without
delay and with an ultimate accuracy.
 Monitoring: IT systems have helped companies in monitoring various processes like
performance management system. This helps managers in understanding complexity
of the work as well as finding things that are actually reducing the efficiency of the
firm and making changes in them so as to maintain the efficiency of the firm
(Cichetti. J, 2018). There are many software that are available with the firm which
helps in checking any kinds of deviations if occur in daily processes.
 Designing: IT systems also helps in designing of the whole process as it measures all
the complexities that is present in the working process and acts accordingly to design
various products. This is done by the analysing the demands and trends of the market
as well as the quality and quantity of resources that is available with the firm.
 Transaction processing systems: This is a system that is extremely beneficial for the
accounts department as all the transaction between consumers and firm is done
through this system. This helps in maintaining the records of the total sale all over the
world as well as reducing any kind of discrepancies in accounting.
 Market research: It has become essential for the firm to analyse the marketing
environment that is present around the company. For this purpose market research is
being conducted. This helps in understanding the trends and demands of the market
which is beneficial for making decisions in a better way which will give them edge
over the other rivals.
Benefits of using IT in business
There are several kinds of benefits of using IT in business. Some of the most effective
use of IT in business is as follows:

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 Efficiency: These systems are highly efficient and are capable of resolving many
kinds of problems (Otim, Dow, Grover and Wong, 2012). They are accurate and
hence they provide effective solutions to the issues that arise in day to day operations.
There are many kinds of checking software that are present which helps in any kinds
of deviations that occur in the processes.
 Speed: All these IT technologies not only provide efficiency but also enhance the
speed of operations. There are faster algorithms available for IT software which helps
in enhancing the overall speed of procedures that are operated in various departments
of the firm. This also ensures timely delivery of the products to consumers which is
essential factor for maintaining employee satisfaction.
 Reduction in errors: Since this is a competitive era of business and hence it has
become essential for the firm to have higher focus on reducing errors in production of
products and services. IT systems are very beneficial in this regard as they are highly
accurate and show the details immediately in case any discrepancies occur in the
processes. This helps in maintaining the quality of products as they have promised to
their customers.
Issues in use of IT within business
While there are larger numbers of benefits that are associated with the use of IT
systems, there are several kinds of issues that are present in the use of IT systems. These
issues reduce the performance of the firm as well as pose a greater threat. This can lead to
failure of business which is not affordable in the present competitive environment. Some of
the prominent issues that are present in the use of IT in business are as follows:
 Security: Threat of security is one of the biggest issues that are present in the modern
day business while taking use of IT systems (Mithas, Tafti, Bardhan and Goh,
2012).Various cybercrimes have been noticed in the past which has led to huge loss
for the company. These security breaches are extremely harmful for the company as
the hacker intends to steal many kinds of information related to the business which
can result in strategic failure. It is essential for the firms to take use of firewalls so as
to ensure that there is no easy injection of corrupted program inside the system. These
security breaches can be by internal or by external sources.
 Privacy: There are many kinds of private data that are available with the company and
are stored in information system. These data are extremely crucial and if they get in

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some others hand, they can utilise them for their personal benefit. Loss to such
important data can lead to strategic failure and giving edge to other rivals. Passwords
or some kind of authentications can help company in securing data since it prevents
from any kind of unauthorised access.
 High cost: These technological advancements are of higher cost and the changes in
the technology are faster and hence company has to invest a lot. It is estimated that in
every six months technology in the industry gets doubled which enhances the need of
the firms to upgrade their technology. This requires a whole lot of money which
ultimately reduces the overall revenue of the firm.
 Maintenance: These systems need regular maintenance and if not properly handled
then it may produce outcomes that are undesirable. It is essential for the firm to keep a
system or a group of workers who are responsible for maintaining the information
system. These systems are complex hence considerable amount of knowledge is
required for maintaining the systems.
Ways to resolve these issues
 Use of malwares: This helps in reducing the amount of attacks through various
sources. They restrict other infectious viruses to enter into the system. But it is
essential that they regularly upgrade this software so as to maintain the protection
against such software.
 Use of authentication password: It is important to maintain the privacy and hence it is
essential to take use of authentication system like password protection system or OTP.
These are highly helpful in protecting effective data.
 Maintenance: It is essential that company gives timely training to the employees so
that they can maintain the information system in a better way. It helps in maintaining
the standards according to industry which helps in making competitive edge over the
others.
CONCLUSION
From the above based report it can be concluded that information and technology is
highly beneficial for the business as it enhances the efficiency of the work as well as maintain
the quality of operations. Information systems enhance the speed of operations and hence
help in enhancing consumer satisfaction which is necessary for the firm. There are several
issues that are present in the use if IT. It is crucial for the firm to look at all these issues so as

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to maintain their quality. One of the biggest problem that companies faces while using IT
technologies is the problem of maintaining the quality of the whole information system. For
this purpose it is important that firm train their employees on regular basis. Processes like
marketing, sales, transactions, decision making process and data management has become
easier and hence has facilitated management in making changes as per the requirement.
REFERENCES
Business 2 Community, 2018. [Online]. Available at:
https://www.business2community.com/tech-gadgets/importance-information-technology-
business-today-01393380. [Accessed on: 25th January 2018].

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Cichetti. J, 2018. [Online]. Role of Information Technology in Business. Available at:
https://bizfluent.com/facts-5977213-role-information-technology-business.html. [Accessed
on: 25th January 2018].
Mithas, S., Tafti, A.R., Bardhan, I. and Goh, J.M., 2012. Information technology and firm
profitability: mechanisms and empirical evidence.
Otim, S., Dow, K.E., Grover, V. and Wong, J.A., 2012. The impact of information
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Tanriverdi, H. and Uysal, V.B., 2011. Cross-business information technology integration and
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Venkatesh, V., Thong, J.Y. and Xu, X., 2012. Consumer acceptance and use of information
technology: extending the unified theory of acceptance and use of technology.
Wu, S.P.J., Straub, D.W. and Liang, T.P., 2015. How information technology governance
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