Managing Technology

Running Head: MANAGING TECHNOLOGY 1

MANAGING INFORMATION TECNOLOGY (IT) AND

INFORMATION SYSTEMS (IS)

MANAGING TECHNOLOGY 2

Information Technology (IT) is the study, design, development, implementation support and/or management of any computer based information system. Everything from data management, networking, engineering, computer hardware, software design, database design and management and administration of systems are included in the term of information technology. When covering the aspects of IT as a whole, the use of computers and information are typically associated.

IT infrastructure today is composed of five major components: computer hardware, computer software, data management technology, networking and telecommunications technology, and technology services. These components must be coordinated with each other. (http://www.robertcorlin.com/School%20Work/IT205/IT205_week1_reading4.pdf)

Information systems are designed to create, modify, store and distribute information. A system is comprised of a combination of people, machines, processes and technology. And IT is just a part of the system. Since a part can never be identical to a whole, information systems is never going to be identical to information technology. Designing of a system takes much more than technology as people and processes are also involved.

As people and companies rely on basic infrastructures to function, businesses also rely on an information systems infrastructure to support their decision making, business processes, and competitive strategy. These components consist of hardware, software, networks, data, facilities, human resources, and services.

(http://www.prenhall.com/behindthebook/0132335069/pdf/Jessup_CH04.pdf ; pg 131-132)

MANAGING TECHNOLOGY 3

Managers have three critical responsibilities when it comes to IT: identifying appropriate opportunities to apply to IT, smoothing the way for its...