What is IT?

 

            We all know that IT stands for information technology, but the better question would be, “What does IT stand for?” Technology is the means, knowledge and tools that people use to do tasks more efficiently and to make life easier. Now add in the information factor. “Information is stimuli that has meaning in some context for its receiver.”(2) Therefore, IT is using technology to make this information useful to its receiver.

            In today’s terms information technology translates roughly to the computer system that is used to process all the information that is available about a particular subject. IT involves all of the processes that enable a computer to do all of the amazing things it can do. It starts with the need to know some particular fact derived from all this information. When someone wants to know something, computers can be used to find an answer. All these pieces of information, called data in computing terms, can be stored and quickly waded through to come to a quick resolution to a problem.

            There is a sequential set of processes that are used to determine the best way to arrive at the desired answer. A plan has to be devised to get to the desired end, then, an analysis of what process is currently used for arriving at the desired result and how to better it, then actually building a better process and finally putting the new process in place. This set of steps will result in an information system that can be used to turn all of the data into useful information.

            Information technology is then the use of an information system to help arrive at the answers to all the questions that need to be answered. IT is used just about everywhere today but it is most useful in the business world. It is used to plan business strategies, to plan a course of action to get to the desired end and to establish company policies. IT is pervasive in just about every facet of a business organization form major departments, such as accounting, marketing and production, down to each individual PC that is used to make an employee’s job easier and more efficient.

            This widespread use of IT makes the need for IT professionals all the more critical. But IT is ever changing, growing and improving. The pace of these changes is phenomenal and requires continual education and training for the IT professional. It is a challenging profession, but one that will continue to see a rise in demand for well trained and prepared individuals. 

 

 

Sources:    

 

1)         Definition of Technology

            URL: http://www.bergen.org/technology/defin.html

 

2)         Information (A definition) whatis?.com

            URL:    http://searchdatabase.techtarget.com/sDefinition/0,,sid13_gci212343,00.html

           

3)         IS’97: Model Curriculum and Guidelines for Undergraduate Degree Programs in Information Systems

            URL: http://webfoot.csom.umn.edu/faculty/gdavis/curcomre.pdf

 

4)         What is Technology?

            URL: http://atschool.eduweb.co.uk/trinity/watistec.html