INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY IN BUSINESS

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INFORMATION TECHNOLOGYIN BUSINESS

• Recent Developments

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What has changed in the past 10 years?

• Methods of communication
• Availability of information
• Homeworking increased
• Computer functions improved
• Methods of storage
• The internet
• The name - ICT

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Main uses of Information Technology

• DECISION MAKING
• Spreadsheets and internet can assist managers in
  their work
• PROVISION OF INFORMATION
• Easier to get information to people using email
• Charts and graphs can be produced easily and
  assist the sales department

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• MAINTENANCE OF RECORDS
• Databases can save vast amounts of information
• HR department will benefit
• COMMUNICATION
• Various packages can be used to communicate
  information
• Email, internet, video-conferencing, word
  processor etc

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Types of ICT - hardware

• PC desktop, laptop, handheld
• Videoconferencing cameras linked to computer
• Telecommunications instantaneous via telephone
  digital network or satellite

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• Multi-media equipment digital camera, animation
  etc
• e-commerce using the internet for selling
• Computer controlled machinery robotics for
  production etc

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What software is available?

• Database
• Spreadsheet
• Word Processing
• Desktop Publishing
• Computer Graphics
• Electronic Diary
• Communication

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NETWORKING

• Joining computers together to share resources and
  communicate
• Requires File Server (mainframe computer)
• Connected using Fibre Optic Cables
• Transfer of information is managed using
  switches

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LAN WAN

• LOCAL AREA NETWORK
• Computers in a small area or building
• Fortrose Academy
• Easy to manage(?)
• Less room for error

• WIDE AREA NETWORK
• Computers linked in remote locations often using
  satellite
• Ford or Nissan
• Require specialist management

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APPLICATIONS IN THE PRIMARY SECTOR

• Agriculture - machinery, pesticides, biological
  research, GM research
• Oil Industry - drilling and research, processing
  of oil
• Fishing - fish farming, refrigerated boats,
  tagging of fish

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Can we really buy anything on the internet?

• TEST THE THEORY
• I would like you to find-
• Flowers for a birthday
• The latest book by Tad Williams and
• Someone to design and print my wedding stationery

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APPLICATIONS IN THE SECONDARY SECTOR

• Robots in production processes
• Computer aided design
• Computer aided manufacture
• Computer integrated manufacture
• New materials and uses for them

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APPLICATIONS IN THE TERTIARY SECTOR

• Government services - health care, police, fire
• Financial services - telephone banking, internet
• Hotels, restaurants and transport (travel)
• Advertising and retail

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BENEFITS OF ICT

• Aids decision-making, speeds up information
  transfer and handling
• Allows businesses to be more competitive
• Increases labour productivity
• Decrease in customer complaints
• Decreased costs due to homeworking
• Improved working environment safety
• Higher incomes

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COSTS OF ICT

• Capital investment may be high hardware and
  software can be expensive
• Systems can be bought or leased
• Training will often be required
• Businesses must be proactive in keeping up with
  developments
• Breakdowns
• Motivation
• Management
• IT problems

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KEYWORDS

• ISP
• BROWSER
• DATA
• LAN
• WAN
• MODEM
• CAD
• CAM

• MULTI MEDIA
• CONFERENCING
• VIDEO CONFERENCING
• MANAGEMENT INFORMATION
• INFORMATION MANAGEMENT

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Health and Safety Issues

• Working on computers can cause risk to health
• The ergonomics of workstations should be
  considered
• Furniture should be adjustable
• Eye tests should be available

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Data Protection Acts

• Data Protection Act was introduced in 1984
  because of concerns about the amount of
  information being held on computer systems

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Basic Principles

• The Data Protection Act provides rights for
  individuals and requires organisations to follow
  good information-handling practice.
• The 1984 Act covers information held on computer

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Recent Amendments

• The Data Protection Act 1998 came into force on 1
  March 2000.
• It replaces the 1984 Act.
• The new Act covers manual records as well as
  those on computer eg health records, school
  records, and some social services records.

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Key Terms

• Data User almost anyone who uses a collection
  of personal data held on computer
• Personal Data information about a living,
  identifiable person

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Eight Principles

• Personal Data must be
• processed fairly and lawfully
• be obtained only for one or more specified,
  lawful and compatible purposes
• be adequate, relevant and not excessive
• be accurate and up-to-date
• not be kept for too long
• be processed in accordance with the Act
• be protected by proper security
• not be transferred without consent

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If a data user does not comply ...

• The Registrar can serve 3 notices
• an enforcement notice
• a deregistration notice
• a transfer prohibition notice - to prevent the
  data being transferred overseas
• Failure to comply is a criminal offence