INTRODUCTION TO

INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

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Recommended Books

(1) “Information Technology in Business Principles, Practices and Opportunities”

Second EditionBy James A. Senn

(2) “Management Information System for the Information Age”4th Edition By HAAG/CUMMINGS/ MCCUBBERY

8,000 B.C.

1st Wave:Agricultural

Age

1750 1955 2011

2nd Wave:Industrial

Age

3rd Wave:Information

Age

?

Timeline of Technology Evolution

Human history has been shaped by three dynamic advances or waves of transformation.

Agricultural Age begins around 8,000 B.C. and runs through the mid-1700s. This wave is characterized by

trade and basic training-based education,daily life and traditions organized around the seasons simple technology with tools made from stone or metal, wood were made from natural materials.

Agricultural Age

8,000 B.C. 1750 1955 2011 ?

Agricultural Age

Complex machines evolving from simple machines

Pulley

Lever

Beginning of the industrial revolution1712 - Steam Engine

The automation of making textiles (fabrics, clothing, etc) marked the beginning of the industrial revolution.

1733 - Flying Shuttle, Automation of Textile

The first steam engine on top of a water filled mine shaft and used it to pump water out of the mine.

The Industrial Age occurs between 1750 and 1950, continuing through to the mid-1950s. This age is characterized by

People leaving the farms for work in the cities, mainly in factory and industry jobs, Great advances in the areas of communication and technology with the invention of the three Ts (Telegraph, Telephone, and Television) along with the first computers.

8,000 B.C. 1750 1955 2011 ?

Industrial Age

Agricultural

The Industrial Age

The period in which the majority of workers are involved in the creation, distribution, and application of information.It is further characterized by

Development of a literate workforce,

Computerization resulting in major changes in business management and operations.

?8,000 B.C. 1750 1955 2011

Agricultural

Industrial

Information Age

The Information Age

The Digital RevolutionJ

Information Age/ Digital Age/ Information Superhighway/ Internet Revolution

“The change from analog mechanical and

electronic technology to digital technology that has taken place

since 1980s.”

Information

Facts presented in a meaningful fashion.

Technology A set of tools that enables

us to work with information

Hardware•Input devices•Output devices•Telecommunication devices•Storage devices

Software•Application software e.g.MS-office S/W, media software, business software•System software e.g. operating system software, utility software

Personal ComputersWireless NetworksSatellitesCellular technologyvideoconferencingInternet

Information Technology

Technical definition:

“The capability to electronically input, process,

store, output, transmit, and receive data and

information, including text, graphics, sound,

and video, as well as the ability to control

machines of all kinds electronically.”

Information Technology

ITAA Definition:

“The study, design, development,

implementation, support or management of

computer-based information systems,

particularly software applications and

computer hardware."

knowledge worker• A knowledge worker works with and

produces information about a product.

• When you graduate, you will start working as a knowledge worker.

EXAMPLES:• Professionals like teachers, lawyers,

architects, physicians, nurses, engineers and scientists

Components of Information System

PEOPLE

Who is not knowledge worker?• The counter attendants at McDonald’s are not

knowledge workers. They enter the details of your order into a computer terminal. These details are used by knowledge workers to manage inventory, order supplies and schedule workers.

Components of Information System

PEOPLE

Telecommuting • The use of communication

technologies (such as the Internet), to work in a place other than a central location.

• Telecommuting is a wonderful concept for increasing quality of life and earning opportunities for otherwise unemployed people.

Components of Information System

PEOPLE

Information Technology

Embedded Information Technology

“The information technology that is integrated with the other components of products and

services, giving it new features and capabilities.”

Embedded Information Technology

At travel agent officeMaintain profile of customers such as seating requirements, payment details etc.

EMBEDDED INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

At HotelMaintain traveler’s preferences, payment details etc.

At the airportEase passenger check-in, baggage handling, on-board services etc.

At the auto rental agencyMaintain client’s preferred automobile features

On the aircraftAutopilot system

What is Data?

Definition:

“A collection of raw facts that describes a phenomenon”

Examples–Current temperature–Price of a movie rental–Your age etc.

What Is Information?Definition:

“Data that has been processed, manipulated and organised in a way suitable for human interpretation”

• If you are trying to decide what to wear, the current temperature is information because it is logical help to your decision.

What Is Knowledge?

Definition:“An awareness and understanding of a set

of information and how that information can be put to the best use.”

• Information adds to the knowledge of the person receiving it.

Data Vs. Information

• Data is the raw material – the input of information

• The word information is derived from Latin informare which means "give form to".

•Relevant – -----within the context

•Simple ------- --understandable

•Complete –-- --including all needed

•Accurate – -----error free

•Current – ------not out-dated

•Secure ---------- free of

contamination

CHARACTERISTICS OF USEFUL INFORMATION

•Economical –--cost does not exceed

than the value of information

•Timely – -------available when

needed

•Accessible - ---all those who need

the information can get to it

•Reliable --------results are consistent

For information to be useful, it must be…

Benefits of IT

Benefits of IT

Speed• Computers can perform complex calculations,

recall stored information, transmit information from one location to another in a split of a second.

Consistency• A computer can perform a task the same way

every time.

Benefits of IT

Precision• Computers can detect minute differences that

people can not see.• In automobile manufacturing embedded

computer system helps precise placement of a part.

Reliability • Reliability comes with speed, consistency and

precision

MISManagement Information

System

Management Information System (MIS)

General definition:

“MIS or simply IS (information system) is a combination of hardware and software and

telecommunication used to process information automatically.”

MIS---Examples

• Online bill payment system at a bank

• A support website of a product

• Computer system used to process orders for a business

Management Information System (MIS)

Technical definition:

“MIS deals with the planning for,

development, management, and use of

information technology tools to help people

perform all tasks related to information

processing and management.”

COMPONENTS OF MIS

• People• Hardware • Software• Procedures• Telecommunication• Database

PEOPLE

– The components that most influence the success or failure of information system.

– People means end users, those who are using computers .

• Systems Analyst • Programmer • Technician • Engineer • Network Manager • MIS (Manager of Information Systems) • Data entry operator

Components of Information System

HARDWARE– any of the physical equipment in a system.

Examples include screens, printers, computers, telephone wires, etc.

SOFTWARE– a list of instructions that guides the hardware in

the performance of its duties

Components of Information System

(Components of Information System)

DATA• Data are distinct pieces of factual information

used as a basis for reasoning; a fact; a number, a statement, or a picture, discussion, or calculation

INFORMATION• The data that have a particular meaning

within a specific context.

PROCEDURES

– Refers to rules or guidelines people follow when using software, hardware and data.

– Documented in manuals written by computer analysts.

– Provided by software/hardware manufacturers of the product.

– A procedure can be quite complex and involved, such as performing a backup, shutting down a system, patching software.

Components of Information System

TELECOMMUNICATION• Allows computers to connect and to share the

information with other users(computers).

Components of Information System

DATABASE• A database is a structured collection of records or

data that is stored in a computer system.

• Traditional databases are organized by fields, records, and files.

Components of Information System