Ms-07

1. Define Information Technology. Describe various types of information systems. Is Information Technology as vital to modern global business as money? Why or why not? Discuss some trends in IT development.

information technology

the development, implementation, and maintenance of computer hardware and software systems to organize and communicate information electronically.

In the broadest sense, information technology refers to both the hardware and software that are used to store, retrieve, and manipulate information. At the lowest level you have the servers with an operating system. Installed on these servers are things like database and web serving software. The servers are connected to each other and to users via a network infrastructure. And the users accessing these servers have their own hardware, operating system, and software tools.

THERE is the increasing importance of information technology as the organized industries undergo divestiture, deregulation, convergence, and globalization. In today's competitive environment, organizations increasingly focus on customer retention, cost reduction and competitive positioning. Decision-making, from system planning to operations and maintenance, is no longer just about finding the most economical solution to meet business criteria. It also involves determining customer expectations and finding the best approach to meet these expectations. Many companies have realized the benefits from using real-time technologies, such as those involving supervisory control and data acquisition and distribution automation systems. These systems have historically improved reliability, reduced operating and capital costs, and have provided invaluable data for system planning, design and operations. The organization will continue to derive these benefits as well as customer satisfaction and retention by more fully integrating their information and analysis systems. Properly managing and utilizing information...