Chapter 1

Introduction to Information Technology

Learning Objectives

At the end of this chapter, the students should be able to:

1. Discuss the concepts of IT
2. Identify what is Information Technology
3. Explain the importance of IT
4. Identify the types of Information Technology
5. Explain what is ICT
6. Identify the Scope of ICT
7. Discuss the different components of ICT

Learning Contents
 Concepts of ICT and IT
 What is Information Technology?
 What is Information and Communication Technology?

DARIOS B. ALADO, DIT

College of Computing Studies, Information and Communication Technology (CCSICT)
What is Information Technology?

Information technology (IT), as defined by the Information Technology

Association of America (ITAA), is "the study, design, development, implementation,
support or management of computer-based information systems, particularly software
applications and computer hardware."[1] IT deals with the use of electronic computers
and computer software to convert, store, protect, process, transmit, and securely
retrieve information.

Today, the term information technology has ballooned to encompass many

aspects of computing and technology, and the term has become very recognizable. The
information technology umbrella can be quite large, covering many fields. IT
professionals perform a variety of duties that range from installing applications to
designing complex computer networks and information databases. A few of the
duties that IT professionals perform may include data management, networking,
engineering computer hardware, database and software design, as well as the
management and administration of entire systems.

When computer and communications technologies are combined, the result is

information technology, or "infotech". Information Technology (IT) is a general term
that describes any technology that helps to produce, manipulate, store,
communicate, and/or disseminate information. Presumably, when speaking of
Information Technology (IT) as a whole, it is noted that the use of computers and
information are associated. Hasan Kanjee of UofT stated that Information Technology
is a vital part of business thus will continue to grow in the future

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College of Computing Studies, Information and Communication Technology (CCSICT)
Importance of Information Technology

1. Information Technology Allows Access to Any Information

We use information technology to find out about certain treatments or how a complex
machine works. It took a long time and was difficult for people to access information in
the past. Nowadays, all you have to do is go online and read about it.

There are many ways we can access information. What matters is that we have easy
access to the information when we need it. It is especially beneficial for businesses that
need to keep up with the latest technology trends.

2. Information Technology Saves Time

Information technology can help businesses save time by automating tasks that are
handled manually.

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College of Computing Studies, Information and Communication Technology (CCSICT)
It allows businesses to focus on their core competencies and increase their productivity.
In addition, information technology can help employees be more efficient by providing
them with the tools they need to do their jobs.

3. Information Technology Fosters Innovation

It all needs a little motivation and innovation to thrive in today’s world! Innovation is key
to every successful business.

Thanks to IT, businesses can now come up with new ideas and products faster than
ever before. They can prototype their products and get them to the market quickly.

By using technology, marketers can test them with real customers. They can also use
technology to create better customer experiences and find new ways to increase sales.

4. Information Technology Empowers Communication

Technology has evolved since the old days, and it’s a reality. And we can’t imagine our
lives without it. Letters were formerly the most popular form of communication. But
nowadays, no one would consider writing a letter because a video chat is just as easy?

Information technology enhances communication in many ways. IT enables us to

connect with others who are far away. Skype, an online communication platform has
made it possible to see the person you are talking to on the other side of the world.

The ease with which people can communicate using text, photographs, and video has
never been greater. We must recognize that merely the use of technology is dangerous;
otherwise, nothing can compare to the level of comfort we have in our lives through
technology.

5. Information Technology Enhances Learning for Students

Information technology has revolutionized education. Nowadays, students can learn
anything they want by doing a simple online search. This is made possible by the vast
amount of information available on the internet.

In addition, students can use technology to present their work more professionally. They
can also use it to collaborate with their classmates on school projects.

Hence, IT is essential to education since it helps students learn in a more interactive

and engaging way.

6. Information Technology Is Essential To Business Success

Businesses must be aware of the latest technologies to stay on the top. They need to
know how these technologies can benefit them and their customers.

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College of Computing Studies, Information and Communication Technology (CCSICT)
Businesses should employ individuals who specialize in information technology to make
this possible. They can also outsource this function to a third party. With the help of IT
experts, organizations will be able to use technology to their advantage, improve
customer service, and remain competitive in their industry.

7. Information Technology Makes Career Opportunities Easier To Find

Information technology has also leveled the playing field for job seekers. It is easier than
ever before to find a new job candidate online through an online directory or social
network.

Employers can find the best candidates for the job without spending a lot of time and
money. Job seekers can also use technology to improve their resumes, cover letters,
and networking skills.

IT supports various websites to make it happen. LinkedIn, in this regard, is a perfect

example to quote.

8. Information Technology Increases Employee Productivity

IT has a major contribution in increasing productivity and lowering the chance of human
error. Furthermore, allowing technology to take care of the bulk of the work frees you
and your staff to focus on core business activities and revenue-producing jobs.

Tech-savvy employees can provide more quality work in a shorter amount of time. Also,
they can use technology to collaborate with their co-workers on projects, which will
improve workplace productivity.

In addition, employers can use IT to track employee productivity and find ways to
improve it.

9. Information Technology Is Beneficial for Marketers

Information technology has improved marketing in many ways.

Businesses can conduct market research with the click of a button. They as well can
communicate more effectively with their customers and prospects through email
campaigns and social media networks.

Storing data and maintaining its integrity is no issue thanks to IT. It also helps to mine
the data and predict future situations. Hence information technology aids in making
informed decisions for all businesses and marketers.

DARIOS B. ALADO, DIT

College of Computing Studies, Information and Communication Technology (CCSICT)
10. Information Technology Can Reduce Financial Risks
Information technology can reduce financial risks and make business strategies more
profitable.

The use of computers and the internet to conduct business is only increasing, and
technologies are becoming more sophisticated. There is no doubt that technology has
had a significant impact on the operations of banks and the services they provide.

Businesses can use information technology to improve their financial management by

creating automated solutions that integrate with their accounting system. Companies
will be able to save time and resources through this. They can reduce the risk of human
errors.

11. Information Technology Drives Economy

Companies can use technology to improve their customer service, which allows them to
reach more people. As a result, they can generate more revenue, which boosts
economic growth.

Business becomes profitable. In addition, technology creates new jobs, which helps
reduce unemployment rates. The economy of any country depends on the services and
products, which make it easier to achieve goals.

E-commerce, marketing techniques, globalization facilitation, job insecurity, and job

design are just a few major consequences of information technology on the economy.

Hence information technology is essential to the economy because it helps businesses

grow.

12. Information Technology Prevents Crime

Information technology can help law enforcement officials catch criminals and prevent
crime.

Technology may aid in the solving of crimes by providing a more efficient method of
working that allows investigators to look at all relevant evidence quickly. Integration via
API is the most efficient technique to keep crime data current and search AI systems for
suitable evidence.

Police officers can use information technology to track down criminals by searching
through vast criminal database records. In addition, they can use technology to monitor
social media networks for criminal activity.

DARIOS B. ALADO, DIT

College of Computing Studies, Information and Communication Technology (CCSICT)
13. Information Technology Can Help in Healthcare
Information technology helps improve healthcare by increasing the amount of
information that’s available.

Health information technology allows for better access to and adherence to standards.
IT allows for the management of patient health information in computerized systems
and the secure exchange of patient information between consumers, providers, payers,
and quality monitors.

In addition, it has improved medical research and made treatment for diseases more
effective.

14. Information Technology Has a Societal Impact

Information technology has a profound impact on society. It is a truth that we are now
living in the computer and technology era. The influence of these new technologies has
been tremendous. We see IT solving complicated issues rapidly in several cases. The
world is currently a smaller and more connected place to live in, thanks to
improvements in technology.

It has allowed people to connect on a global scale, which has led to more open
communication and understanding.

This, in turn, has helped people become more educated and enlightened.

15. Information Technology Links to Artificial Intelligence

Information technology is essential to the development of artificial intelligence.

By using information technology, businesses can train their computers to learn and
make decisions on their own. It allows organizations to save time and resources and
makes them more efficient.

Artificial intelligence is gaining popularity and prominence in today’s new paradigm. This
is since it will bring about a whole new era of transformation. It will provide humanity
with rest and, perhaps, one of modern technology’s greatest blessings.

Case Study 1: Select 1

topic from the list
above and conduct
further research and
investigation.
Elaborate on the topic
by gathering more
facts and information
using the following
DARIOS B. ALADO, DIT
format:
College of Computing Studies, Information and Communication Technology (CCSICT)
Topic: << e.g.
Information
Types of Information Technology

DARIOS B. ALADO, DIT

College of Computing Studies, Information and Communication Technology (CCSICT)
 Here, we have listed different types of Information Technology. They are:

1. Computing
Computing is a known goal-oriented activity that requires creating computer machinery.
It includes studying as well as experimenting with algorithm processing with the
development of both hardware and software. Computing encompasses scientific,
engineering, and tons of social aspects.

2. Software
The software comprises a set of instructions, data, and programs that operate the
computer and execute specific tasks. It is the opposite of hardware which primarily
describes the physical aspect of the computer.

3. Platforms
The platform is a hybrid of both hardware and software architecture. It is a foundation
based on other applications, processes, and technologies developed. This is the place
where software applications are primarily run.

4. Networks
Computer networks primarily concern themselves with interconnecting computing
devices and exchanging data and resources with one another. These networks use a

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College of Computing Studies, Information and Communication Technology (CCSICT)
comprehensive system of rules called communication protocols to transmit information
over physical and other wireless technologies.

5. APIs
The full form of API is Application Programming Interface. It deals with any software
with a distinctive function. The interface in this aspect can be considered a contract of
service between two applications. This defines the method of communicating between
the networks through requests and responses.

6. Data
Data is a piece of information that has been translated as an efficient form of movement
or processing. Considering today's translation media, data plays a significant role to be
converted into a binary digital form. Data can be accepted as both singulars as well as
plural subjects.

7. Databases
A database is an organized collection of structured data or information stored
electronically in a computer system. It is looked after by the DataBase Management
System (DBMS).

8. Data Synchronization
Data synchronization is a form of embedded middleware that allows the application to
update data on two systems simultaneously. This helps the data set to be identical.
These services could be run on a variety of transportation methods that will only
typically require some application-specific knowledge or notion of the data to be
synchronized.

9. Data Storage
This consists of retaining information by using technologically specific developed forms
of Information Technology and making it accessible if it deems fit. Data storage refers to
recording media and retaining the data using a computer or other devices.

10. Analytics
Analytics has a catch-all term of variety in different places of business intelligence and
applications that relate to these initiatives. The process of analyzing information with the
help of a particular domain is known as website analytics, an important aspect of
Information Technology.

11. Content Delivery

Content delivery is a branch of content distribution, delivery, and content caching. It is a
service of copying the pages to a website and geographically dispersed over the server
when the page is requested, thus dynamically identifying the serving page content from
the closest server.

DARIOS B. ALADO, DIT

College of Computing Studies, Information and Communication Technology (CCSICT)
12. Content Management
Content management comprises templates, procedures, and standard software format
that enables marketers and their proxies. These proxies help produce and manage text,
graphics, pictures, and audio alongside the video for web landing pages, blogs, and
document repositories.

13. Monitoring
It is the process to gather metrics regarding the IT operations with environment
hardware and software that will ensure every function is done as expected to support
applications and other services.

14. Event Processing

These are computations that perform operations on events when they are being
reported in systems that observe or listen to environment-based events. Reading,
creating, and transforming are fine examples of event processing.

15. Process Automation

This IT automation deals with the creation of software and systems to replace any
repeatable procedures. This is also responsible for reducing manual intervention. This
helps accelerate the delivery of Information Technology infrastructure and applications
by processing manual processes automatically that previously required a human touch.

16. Transaction Processing

Transaction processing is a known processing style typically performed by a large
server of computers that supports interactive applications. In transaction processing,
work is divided into individual, indivisible operations and other transaction methods.

17. Artificial intelligence

This is a simulation of human intelligence that is processed by machines, especially
concerning computer systems. The specific AI applications are expert systems, natural
language processing, speech recognition, and machine vision.

18. Cloud computing

In layman's terms, cloud computing is the method of delivery of computing services.
This includes server storage alongside databases and networking software analytics
and intelligence. This offers faster innovation and flexible resources, and economies of
scale.

19. Communications
Communications play a vital role in Information Technology. It is an umbrella that
includes any communication device encompassing the segments of television, cellular

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College of Computing Studies, Information and Communication Technology (CCSICT)
phones, computer and network hardware, satellite systems, and many more. It also
encompasses the other services that are associated with these applications at large.

20. Cybersecurity
Cyber security protects internet-connected systems for hardware and software data
from the verge of cyber threats. Individuals and other enterprises, therefore, use the
practice to protect themselves against unauthorized access to data centers and other
computerized systems.

21. Infrastructure
Infrastructure is known to be the systems of hardware and software that facilitate
software components to support the delivery of business systems with the help of any
IT-enabled procedures.

22. Internet of Things

The Internet of Things or IoT is the collective network of connected devices and the
technology that helps make effective communications between the devices and the
cloud.

23. Machine Learning

This branch of artificial intelligence and computer science focuses on using data and
other algorithms to imitate human learning, thus improving accuracy.

24. Maintenance and Repair

This ensures the product sustainability of a particular function and ensures that it lasts
throughout its operational life cycle. This helps the IT professional to handle the
products with utmost care and ensure their security.

25. Robotics
This function is made by a bunch of combinations of programming and algorithms that
manipulators and actuators remotely control with the help of a control system that
facilitates action, processing, and perception with the help of real-time sensors. The
goal of robotics is to design machines and make the lives of humans easier.

26. Software/Application Development

This development method helps create a computer program with a set of other
programs to perform different tasks that a business might require. Starting from the
calculation of monthly expenses to scheduling any sales report, application business
thereby helps in automating processes and increasing any kind of efficiency.

Case Study 2: Select 1

topic that you desire
DARIOS B. ALADO, DITfurther
to conduct
College of Computing Studies,
research andInformation and Communication Technology (CCSICT)
investigation.
Elaborate on the topic
What is Information and Communication Technology?

DARIOS B. ALADO, DIT

College of Computing Studies, Information and Communication Technology (CCSICT)
Information and Communication Technology (ICT) may be defined as the
convergence of electronics, computing, and telecommunications. It has
unleashed a tidal wave of technological innovation in the collecting, storing,
processing, transmission, and presentation of information that has not only
transformed the information technology sector itself into a highly dynamic and
expanding field of activity- creating new markets and generating new investment,
income, and jobs but also provided other sectors with more rapid and efficient
mechanisms for responding to shifts in demand patterns and changes in
international comparative advantage, through more efficient production processes
and new and improved products and services.

Today, the definition of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) is much

broader, encompassing nearly every type of business. From manufacturers,
retailers, banks, and publishers to research firms, medical institutions, law
enforcement agencies, government companies, and libraries everywhere rely on
Information and Communication Technology workers to run their daily businesses.

Dictionaries consistently define ICT as: managing a Network of

computers, creating original web pages, producing videos digitally, designing

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College of Computing Studies, Information and Communication Technology (CCSICT)
computer systems as a consultant, selling products on the Internet, 3-D
artwork, administering a company’s database, coding software, providing
technical support, managing projects, and budgets, writing technical
documentation.

ICT is a combination of Information Technology and

Communication Technology.

Converging technologies that exemplify ICT include the merging of

audiovisual, telephone, and computer networks through a common cabling system.
Internet service providers (ISPs) commonly provide internet, phone, and television
services to homes and businesses through a single optical cable. The elimination of
the telephone networks has provided huge economic incentives to implement this
convergence, which eliminates many of the costs associated with cabling, signal
distribution, user installation, servicing and maintenance costs.

The Scope of Information and Communication Technology (ICT)

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College of Computing Studies, Information and Communication Technology (CCSICT)
 Information and Communication Technology is a field that has a wide
coverage. It extensively deals with communication technology and how it impacts on
other fields of human endeavor. It is the fastest growing academic field of study and
a viable source of livelihood. It is the convergence of telephone and computer
networking through a single cabling system with ease of data storage, manipulation,
management, and retrieval. It is concerned with database management, computer
programming, and software development. Web designing, mobile application
development, Project Management, security, networking analysis, media equipment,
computer engineering, computer studies, the internet, intranet, internet protocol (IP),
system software, application software, signal technology, base station management
etc.

Components of Information and Communications Technology (ICT)

Cloud Computing – The term is generally used to describe data centers

available to many users over the internet. Large clouds, predominant today, often
have functions distributed over multiple locations from central servers. If the
connection to the user is relatively close, it may be designated an edge server.
Clouds may be limited to a single organization (enterprise clouds), be available to
many organizations (public cloud) or a combination of both (hybrid cloud). The
largest public cloud is Amazon AWS.

Digital Transactions can be broadly defined as online or automated

transactions that take place between people and organizations—without the use of
paper. Digital transactions save time and money, resulting in a better bottom line.
Customer experiences are also enhanced (think of the convenience of eSigning
versus having to print a contract, sign it, and then return it by mail or fax). And digital
transactions improve tracking capabilities—which helps reduce errors.

Digital Data is data that represents other forms of data using specific
machine language systems that can be interpreted by various technologies. The
most fundamental of these systems is a binary system, which simply stores complex
audio, video or text information in a series of binary characters, traditionally ones and
zeros, or «on» and «off» values.

Internet access is the process of connecting to the internet using personal

computers, laptops or mobile devices by users or enterprises. Internet access is
subject to data signaling rates and users could be connected at different internet
speeds. Internet access enables individuals or organizations to avail internet
services/web-based services. The internet began to gain popularity with dial-up
internet access. In a relatively short time, internet access technologies changed,
providing faster and more reliable options. Currently, broadband technologies such
as cable internet and ADSL are the most widely used methods for internet access.
The speed, cost, reliability and availability of internet access depends on the region,

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College of Computing Studies, Information and Communication Technology (CCSICT)
internet service provider and type of connection. There are many different ways to
obtain internet access, including Wireless connection, Mobile connection, Hotspots,
Dial-up, Broadband, DSL or Satellite.

However, ICT commonly means more than its list of components, though. It
also encompasses the application of all those various components.

Software is a set of instructions, data or programs used to operate computers

and execute specific tasks. Opposite of hardware, which describes the physical
aspects of a computer, software is a generic term used to refer to applications,
scripts and programs that run on a device. Software can be thought of as the
variable part of a computer and hardware the invariable part.

Software is often divided into application software, or user downloaded

programs that fulfil a want or need, and system software, which includes operating
systems and any program that supports application software.

Hardware – in the context of technology, refers to the physical elements that

make up a computer or electronic system and everything else involved that is
physically tangible.

This includes the monitor, hard drive, memory and the CPU. Hardware works
hand-in-hand with firmware and software to make a computer function. Hardware is
only one part of a computer system; there is also firmware, which is embedded into
the hardware and directly controls it.

Case Study 3: Select 1

topic that you desire
to conduct further
research and
investigation.
Elaborate on the topic
by gathering more
facts and information
using the following
format:

Topic: <<Chose from

the components of
ICT above>>
Brief Introduction
(History)
Background Information
(WhatB.it ALADO,
DARIOS is all about?)
DIT
College
How of it Computing Studies,
is beneficial to:Information and Communication Technology (CCSICT)
(Application)
 People