Do you understand, what is Information Technology?

Definition of Information Technology

Information Technology can be defined simply as the study of and the complete process involved in the development and use of computer based information systems. This includes the design stage, the development, implementation, support and management of information systems.

Businesses and individuals use information technology in various ways and these includes the following:

• IT that enhances functionality – this may be for personal use at home or individual use in the workplace.Examples are Word processors and database application software.
• IT that enhances communication – examples are emailing systems, blogs, wikis and electronic conferencing.
• IT that enhances management – these are management information systems that process organizational information and improve decision making.
• IT that enhances enterprise goals – these are specialist application systems that control how big organizations and business process and use information technology, examples are CRM and health management systems.

Information Technology Basics

Information technology  basics or ICT basics involve the use of computer software and hardware to complete some basic tasks within the home or office environment. Basic use of information technology includes:
The use of a computer system to perform essential tasks with the aid of an operating system. The operating system software helps you to literally operate your computer by performing such tasks as, creating files and folders, save, copy or delete files, clean up and manage your computer.
    The use of application software to perform fundamental tasks. Examples of such application software are :

• Spreadsheets, normally used for accounting and bookkeeping.
• Word processors to create text documents.
• Database to store records.
• Presentations for meetings and conferences.
• The use of the Internet to browse and search for information.
• The use of electronic mailing system to send and receive mails both externally and internally.
• The use of common peripherals such as a printer or fax machine with a computer system.

Role of Information Technology in Business
Role of information technology in a business setting can be classified into four major categories; these are function, communication, management and enterprise.

Function IT Systems
Function IT systems enable individuals to carry out their tasks effectively in their place of work. Functional systems include spreadsheets, word processors, statistical analysis software and computer aided design (CAD). Employees can work and carry out their task independently or collectively using these software technologies.

Network IT Systems
Network IT systems enable effective communication within or outside an establishment. Examples of these systems are straightforward e-mail (electronic mail) systems, blogs, wiki, IM (instant messaging) and electronic conferencing. These technologies help interaction and collaboration between working groups and also make possible rapid information flow at all levels within an organisation.

Management IT systems
MITS can be defined as a planned application that is designed to process data and transform it into useful information for management decision making. MIS may be regarded as a division of Enterprise IT systems. Nevertheless, because of the crucial role MIS plays in a business environment, it is considered as a key information technology system for businesses.
Management operates at different levels, so it is possible to apply management information systems at any level. Simple examples of MIT systems are human resources management systems, marketing management information systems and financial management information systems.


Enterprise IT Systems
Enterprise IT systems are applications designed to integrate and handle entire business processes for big organisations. In general, enterprise application software is hosted on large servers over a computer network. Transmission of information is possible internally or externally.

Some enterprise information systems are accounting software, health care specific software or electronic data Interchange (EDI).  A further example of software in this group is CRM (Customer Relationship Management Software).

Information technology plays different roles in business, and provides a wide range of capabilities that boost management performance. It is thus crucial to understand the four main categories of IT systems and their functions in a business setting.



Benefits of Health Information Technology
The integration of information technology into the health sector system of operations is generally referred to as ‘Health Information Technology’ – HIT.

HIT has led to an overall improvement in health care quality, safety and efficiency in the health care delivery system.

The health care sector is positively impacted by the use of electronic health records (EHRs), virtual healthcare teams, telemedicine, e-health grids and various specialist health care information systems.

EHRs facilitate easy communication of medical data between health care teams. In addition, the use of electronic health records (EHRs) has drastically reduced medical errors. The advantages of reducing medical errors include:

• Reduction in health care costs
• Increase in quality of health care delivery due to timely and accurate dissemination of information to health care providers
• Increase in administrative efficiency by reducing paperwork thus, increasing data processing accuracy as well as effectiveness.

Through the use of e-health grids, very large amount of data can be computerised and well managed for further information needs.

The use of health information systems (HIS) help to reduce operation cost by reducing duplication of data, time and efforts. In addition to this, HIS aided increase in operational efficiency, as well as capability to share data across multiple health care teams.

A major concern in the use of HIT is possible security issues and lack of complete privacy in utilising electronic health records.



What is Information
Information is simply processed data. In information technology, when data goes to the process of input, collation, formatting and handling, it comes out as an output that has meaning to the user. This type of data is called information. Sometimes the word ‘data’ and ‘information’ are used interchangeably.