Information Technology | Advantages of IT

on 20 October 2011

We hear the word Information Technology very often nowadays. Some people think that it is something about creating software. Well, it is not perfectly correct because there is more to IT than just software. Let us understand what does information technology or simply I.T. means?

Information Technology

What is Information Technology?

Let us first understand definitions or meaning of Information and Technology separately.

Information
Information is the data that has been transformed into output(that is valuable to users) by performing some operation on it. We can simply say that Information is processed data.
Technology
Technology is a broad concept which deals in application of scientific knowledge to solve a problem or perform a specific function.

Information technology is nothing but technology which deals with information. In broader sense information technology refers to combination of software and hardware products and services that people use to manage, access, communicate, and share information.

It is true that information technology is about creating software because software is used to convert data into useful information. But I.T. is not just limited to software. I.T. has wide variety of areas that include but are not limited to things such as processes, computer software, information systems, computer hardware, programming languages, and data constructs. In short, anything that renders data, information or perceived knowledge in any visual format whatsoever, via any multimedia distribution mechanism, is considered part of the IT domain.

History of Information Technology

The word information technology was coined sometime around 1970's. But we can say that history of I.T. is too old because it was implemented when humans first started communicating through speaking and picture drawings around 4000 B.C. You may like to see timeline of information technology and systems which gives information on various inventions and achievement in this field.

Benefits or Advantages of Information Technology

I.T. gives us innumerable benefits. Think of world without mobile phones. Think about world without Internet. Yes, they are the gift of I.T.

Information is treated as a vital asset by successful firms that must be used effectively, updated constantly, and safeguarded carefully. Information technology (IT) benefits the business world by allowing organizations to work more effectively and to increase productivity.

Some of the important uses of I.T. are as follows:

Conversion of Data into Information and it's storage

The data is converted into information by using various methods. Information technology creates electronic storage systems to protect a company's valuable records.

Information Protection or Safety

Valuable information is kept safe by only allowing certain authorized users to access information or edit it. Computer security or data security is a field related with I.T. with secures the data & information from hacking attempts.

Information Sharing or Communications

Communication is essential both to the social and business world, and information technology gives the resources needed to communicate quickly and effectively. Various communication devices such as cell phones, PDAs etc. are invented because of development in IT. It also covers the use of satellites in communication. This tells us how vast is this field.

Remote Accessibility

IT systems allows us to work remotely. For example, a person can use internet or intranet to work from home or on the road without even being physically present in the office. Distance education is also one of it's benefit.

This are just the basic advantages or uses of IT. In fact IT field still has an enormous potential left to offer to us.

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