What is information technology (IT)? And Its Importance.
Introduction to information technology (IT).
From the concept of information technology that emerged in the second half of the last century, innovation and technological development have made possible the emergence of a sector that manages equipment, programs, applications and systems to process information.
The appearance of the computer in the middle of the last century gave birth to the concept of hardware and created around it a sector of new activity to which the software was added, with operating systems, programs, databases, applications, etc., and the different peripherals that each technological moment required (storage systems, printers, scanners, card readers, etc.).
At first, computing was limited to companies and large institutions that had huge computing centers. But the big explosion occurred with the appearance of the personal computer in the eighties of the last century. From that moment on, information technology enters all places, i.e. homes (personal computing), jobs, shops, large vehicles, etc. and it becomes portable. Being used everywhere influences all personal and professional aspects of human beings and IT becomes broader and more powerful.
What is information technology? (IT)?
Information Technology (IT) is the collection of all technologies, systems, and procedures related to the collection, storage, processing, transmission, and use of data. It is the knowledge of how to organize and use information effectively through computers, software, networks, and electronic systems.
The computer technology, combined with telecommunication, is revolutionizing the world we know and taking it towards a new digital world and towards an information and knowledge society. This revolution comes, basically, from technological innovation and from all the possibilities it offers. The revolution affects all aspects of information technology. From the point of view of equipment, large computers have been transferred to personal computers or laptops, tablets or e-readers, although the most important thing today is that there are computers or processors incorporated into any device, system or network that it develops in the world.
The mobile phone that most of the citizens carry in their pockets is an excellent example of the fact that computers occupy less space, have more capacity to process and accompany us more.
If we talk about software, operating systems, databases, word processors, spreadsheets, programming languages, editing programs or browsers multiply the possibilities of equipment. The options of all these variants of the software are very numerous and are available to users in different ways, some of which are free. With the popularization of smart mobile phones (smartphones) and tablets, there has been an explosion of specific programs, applications or apps, which enhances the usefulness and need of these devices, in combination with the mobility features offered by telecommunications.
One of the aspects of IT that has more importance nowadays is that of security, understood in a double sense. On the one hand, security to avoid unwanted access to data centers, modern version of the old calculation centers, computers and the programs and information contained in them, with the ease of access to networks and the development of media such as the Internet have multiplied.
On the other hand, and given the presence of computers in all types of businesses, companies or institutions, it is necessary a type of security that guarantees the continuity of activities and business. A part of the professionals of the IT sector focuses its efforts on all security issues as support to the management of the entities and tries to reduce and eliminate the risks and threats, cyber attacks, etc.
There are many other aspects that stand out in the evolution of IT today, such as electronic invoicing, which aims to eliminate this type of paper documents and offer all the possibilities offered by digitization, and the handling of large volumes of data generated in many fields of activity. This is what is called business intelligence in the business environment or a more generally a large number of data. The management and use of that information that is generated and stored in some of these fields bring with it important challenges for information technologies and many opportunities for commercial development and benefit for society.
In this review, we can not forget another very important aspect in recent years that is producing many expectations and in many cases realities. It’s about cloud storage or cloud computing. Through a combination of information technology and telecommunications, cloud storage allows companies and Public Administrations to establish new ways of working, based on agility, flexibility, and adaptation to different sizes and needs.
In the new model that the cloud brings, services, programs, and applications are available where the user needs them, beyond the structure and infrastructure of the company or institution. Entities hire a global service and do not worry about how it materializes. They only know what is available when and where they need it. This type of service in the cloud is closely associated with mobility and implies economic savings for users and once again emphasizes issues of security, privacy, and continuity in the activity or business.
Types of Information Technology (IT):
Information technology can be divided into the following types depending on its use and functions:
- Computing technology:
a. Personal computing: Using desktops, laptops, tablets
b. Server technology: Data centers and cloud computing
c. Supercomputers: For high-performance computing - Software technology:
a. System software: Operating systems (Windows, Linux)
b. Application software: Office suites, design tools
c. Development tools: Programming languages (Java, Python) - Networking technology:
a. Wired networks: LAN, WAN
b. Wireless networks: Wi-Fi, Bluetooth
c. Internet technologies: TCP/IP, 5G - Data management technology
a. Database systems: Oracle, SQL
b. Big data analytics: Hadoop, Spark
c. Data storage: Cloud storage, hard drives - Cybersecurity technology
a. Network security: Firewall Wall, Antivirus
b. Information Security: Data Encryption
c. Ethical Hacking: Detecting System Vulnerabilities - Cloud Technology:
a. Public Cloud: AWS, Google Cloud
b. Private Cloud: Internal Cloud Systems
c. Hybrid Cloud: Combination of Both - Artificial Intelligence (AI)
a. Machine Learning: Data Pattern Recognition
b. Neural Networks: Deep Learning
c. Robotics: Automated Machines - Internet of Things (IoT)
a. Smart Home: Automated Devices
b. Industrial IoT: Machine Interconnection
c. Variables: Smart Watches - Blockchain Technology
a. Cryptocurrencies: Bitcoin, Ethereum
b. Smart Contracts: Automated Contracts
c. Decentralized Apps - Virtual and Augmented Reality
a. VR: Fully Virtual World
b. AR: Digital Augmentation of the Real World
c. MR: Combination of Both
Importance of Information Technology:
Technology refers to the collection of tools that make it easier to use, create, manage and exchange information. At the beginning of time, human beings made use of it for the process of discovery and evolution. Technology is the knowledge and use of tools, techniques, and systems in order to serve a larger purpose, such as solving problems or making life easier and better. The importance of information technology for human beings is enormous because it has helped them in various environments.
Importance of information technology in business:
The importance of information technology in business is a growing need. As time passes, the role of technology in business is increasingly technological. Innovation nourishes businesses, and as technology creates the appropriate path for the development of innovation, so we can say that business needs technology to maintain itself.
Technology has changed, at great speed, literally every aspect of the way we do business. How can you keep up with the ever-changing trends in technology? You do not have to reformulate the foundations of your business. All you need to do is understand how technology affects your organization (for better or for worse) and how to apply it effectively.
The role of technology in business is vital. In recent decades, technology has optimized the way business is managed, making transactions faster and more efficient. Technology is changing many aspects of business, such as accounting, data collection, logistics and sales, and promotion, among others.
Technology has a great impact on business operations. No matter the size of your company, technology can provide many benefits that will help you get more income. The main role of technology in business is to boost growth and improve operations. Without technology, it is almost certain that companies will not manage to stay afloat in today’s competitive and globalized market.
Different industries and companies rely on technology because it improves commercial communication, optimizes production, inventory management and maintaining financial records.
Business Communication:
Technology improves communication within a company. Workers and technicians in the field, for example, do not need to travel to the office to receive new tasks. Now they receive calls or mobile messages while they are working. The technology allows field workers to be connected with each other and with the central office. Developments in communication and information technology have helped companies to stay connected at a given time, increasing their efficiency, productivity and ability to react in the face of difficulties.
Optimization of management:
Technology is already changing the way we manage resources and, over time, it will change the way we work. No matter what your industry, size of business or main activities, technology offers opportunities to optimize management and production. Small businesses can now compete with large organizations in operational efficiency thanks to technological equipment and digital tools.
Efficient operations:
Technology can optimize the operations of a company. Technology plays an important role in the generation of efficient processes. It can help you reduce or eliminate duplications, errors, and delays in the workflow, as well as accelerate the automation of specific tasks. Inventory technologies allow business owners to efficiently manage production, distribution and marketing processes. With the right technology in place, entrepreneurs can save time and money and make their businesses more productive and competitive.
Improved security of the company:
Technology helps us keep important data safe and less exposed to vulnerabilities. It is vital for any business owner to implement security measures so that cybercriminals can be diverted to easier targets. Technologies such as encryption and tokenization have become key alternatives for the prevention of data loss. Technology has also facilitated the development of devices to remotely control and monitor commercial facilities.
Globalization of business:
Technology in business made it possible for them to achieve a greater reach in the global market. Globalization has been carried out thanks to the wonders of technology. Anyone can now do business anywhere in the world. Technology has driven the development of electronic commerce, which has brought new dynamics to the globalization of companies. The diffusion of information technology has made production networks cheaper and easier and has been fundamental for economic globalization. The high speed of global communications has also allowed trade and collaboration in real time and has increased international trade,
Advances in technology are producing many changes in our society and in the labor market, and these developments are reformulating the way we do business. There are some technological threats such as hacking, phishing, and other malicious activities, however, the good that technology brings overcomes the threats it entails. Therefore, we must begin to take advantage of the many benefits that technology offers in business to optimize the performance of our companies.
Importance of information technology in communication:
The development of high technology has helped to conquer communication barriers and reduce the gap between people around the world. Distances have become closer to each other and consequently, the pace of life has increased. Things that used to take hours to complete, can be done in a matter of seconds now. The world is smaller and life is much faster.
Take mobile devices as an example: the faster the world moves, the more technological advances are offered. Laptops have become thinner and smaller, become more compact each year and offer more capabilities and superior performance. They must be able to process a large amount of information in a faster and more concise way. The same happens with phones, the need to be able to communicate at any time and anywhere has been taken as a basis to create the cell phone, which is increasingly manufactured smaller and has more features, games, entertainment, and applications, until reaching the point of being almost like a pocket computer. To make ease access, it’s market price drops rapidly as new products are launched and becomes more accessible.
The importance of information technology is almost always linked to practical uses. In fact, a very expensive technology, or very complicated, does not usually succeed, because its implementation is very complicated. The technology trends in continuous progress, being, in general, the practical development of new ideas conceived by scientific disciplines. Therefore, it is closely linked to the concept of innovation.
Impact of information technology on society:
In the life of modern society, technology is indispensable. In fact, most scientific efforts are focused on the creation of new technologies that meet the needs of society and raise the level of welfare. That on paper, because the technology is not always used for the intended purpose or designed to improve human life (there are important exceptions, such as war technologies), but always a technology meets a need.
Modern technology has become an important facet of our lives and without it, the world would be radically different. Despite this, social inequalities mean that there are still many people who do not have access to it.
Linked to the great needs of humanity, technologies of great value have always appeared. For the need of human communication came to the telephone, television, radio, internet. With the health needs, advances have emerged in surgery, general medicine, clinical analysis. With the economic needs have emerged new industrial technologies, process technologies, extraction. And so we could continue it to infinity because there is no area in which technology is not present.
Be it economic, industrial, social, political, scientific, legislative, educational, etc. As soon as it allows an improvement of the final result or a simplification of the intermediate processes. The concept and sustainability of modern technology is based on the continuous improvement and innovation of the technology used in human life.
Before the new techniques directly sought the greatest benefit possible, especially by being developed in 99% of cases by and for companies seeking economic performance. The great problems subsequent to the industrial revolution, including not only the social but also the environmental, are a clear example of the erroneousness of this approach. Nowadays, we try not only to increase production, but also that new technologies take care of other aspects, such as the social aspect, the welfare of the workers themselves or the environmental benefit.
On the other hand, the rapid development of new devices, encourage consumerism, and excessive use also has repercussions on health, such as visual stress, insomnia, deafness or obesity, among others. Finally, spending so much time browsing on cell phones and tablets disconnects us from what is happening around us and affects our relationship with others.
The use of technology is immeasurable and will continue to change, based on the demands of the people and the market. How we use it determines whether it is good or bad, useful or harmful. The technology itself is neutral, but we are the ones who make it good or bad, based on the use we give it.
