Information Technology Unit-1

Information Technology Unit-1

Neha Asthana,IT Lecturer

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What is data? ► ► ► ► ► ► ►

Data is a collection of facts-unorganized but able to be organized into useful information. Data also means raw facts and figure which are meaningless. E.g.: class attendance sheet, collection of sales orders. Data can be manipulated to produce output such as student attendance reports, salary slips etc. This output which can help people in making decisions is called “information”. Therefore, information is data arranged in an order and its useful to people who receive it. Knowledge is information that has been paired, shaped, interpreted, selected and transformed.

DATA

INFORMATIO N

KNOWLEDGE

Neha Asthana,IT Lecturer

GENERATION OF KNOWLEDGE

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The terms information and knowledge are frequently used for overlapping concepts. The main difference is in the level of abstraction being considered. Data is the lowest level of abstraction, information is the next level, and finally, knowledge is the highest level among all three. Data are often viewed as the lowest level of abstraction from which information and knowledge are derived. For example, the height of Mt. Everest is generally considered as "data", a book on Mt. Everest geological characteristics may be considered as "information", and a report containing practical information on the best way to reach Mt. Everest's peak may be considered as "knowledge". Neha Asthana,IT Lecturer

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Data processing: ► ► ► ► ► ► ► ► ► ►

Neha Asthana,IT Lecturer

Processing in general terms is a series of action that are applied to an input for getting an output. In context of data processing, input is our data and output is useful information. Hence, data processing is defined as series of actions or operations which convert data into useful information. Data processing includes three sub-activities:- capturing the input data - manipulating the data - producing output results. Different resources used in data processing are: people, devices, procedures that help to attain output. E.g.: marks in various subjects are processed to make a mark sheets. Sometimes output is again fed as input for further results.

INPUT(DATA )

PROCES S

OUTPUT(INF ORMATION) 4

Information Technology: ►

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“Information Technology is the use of hardware, software, services, and supporting infrastructure to manage and deliver information.”   Information technology (IT) refers to the management and use of information using computer-based tools. It includes acquiring, processing, storing, and distributing information. Most commonly it is a term used to refer to business applications of computer technology, rather than scientific applications. The term is used broadly in business to refer to anything that lies into the use of computers. Neha Asthana,IT Lecturer

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► Information

Technology is having impact on all trade industries and businesses, in service as well as in manufacturing. ► It is affecting workers at all levels of organizations, from the executives to middle management and clerks. ► Information technology is increasingly becoming a basic factor of all types of technologies such as craft, engineering etc. ► We can also say that methods used for collecting the data, storing it, converting that data into information and communicating it all over the world is Information Technology.

Neha Asthana,IT Lecturer

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Information Age ►

The age, also commonly known as the Computer Age or Information Era, is an idea that the current age will be characterized by the ability of individuals to transfer information freely, and to have instant access to knowledge that would have been difficult or impossible to find previously.

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The idea is linked to the concept of a Digital Age or Digital Revolution, and carries a shift from traditional industry that the Industrial Revolution brought through industrialization, to an economy based around the manipulation of information. Neha Asthana,IT Lecturer

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This primer (coating) on the information age, as well as the other primers in this series on the Information Economy, Society is an act of imagination and affirmation of a future that is being shaped by information and communication technologies (ICTs)

Neha Asthana,IT Lecturer

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What is the digital revolution? ► ►

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Technological breakthroughs have revolutionized communications and the spread of information. In 1875, for example, the invention of the telephone breached distance through sound. Between 1910 and 1920, the first radio stations began to broadcast sound. All of these technologies deal with information storage and transmission. However, the one characteristic of computer technology that sets it apart from earlier analog technologies is that it is digital. Analog technologies incorporate a combination of light and sound waves to get messages across, while digital technology, with its system of discontinuous data or events, creates a “universal model” to represent information. To use an analogy, a digital world is a world united by one language, a world where people from across continents share ideas with one another and work together to build projects and ideas. More voluminous and accurate information is accumulated and generated, and distributed in a twinkling to an audience that understands exactly what is said. Neha Asthana,IT Lecturer

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This in turn allows the recipients of the information to use it for their own purposes, to create ideas and to redistribute more ideas.

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The result is progress.

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Take this scenario to a technological level—

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All kinds of computers, equipment and appliances interconnected and functioning as one unit. Computers playing compressed audio data files or live audio data streams that play music over the Internet like radios. Some modern homes allow a person to control central lighting and air-conditioning through computers.

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These are just some of the features of a digital world. Neha Asthana,IT Lecturer

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The Digital Revolution is the change from analog (light and sound waves) and mechanical electronic technology to digital(electronic pulses of 0’s and 1’s) technology, that has taken place since c. 1980 and continues to the present day.

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Implicitly, the term also refers to the sweeping changes brought about by computing and communication technology during the latter half of the 20th century.

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Analogous to the Agricultural Revolution and Industrial Revolution, the Digital Revolution marked the beginning of the Information Age. Neha Asthana,IT Lecturer

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Goal Of IT: ►

Goal 1: Deliver timely and effective responses to customer requirements through teamwork.

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Goal 2: Provide vision, leadership, and a framework for evaluating emerging technologies and implementing proven information technology solutions.

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Goal 3: Provide citizens, the business community and staff with convenient access to appropriate information and services through technology.

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Goal 4: Work with agencies to improve business operations by thoroughly understanding business needs and by planning, implementing and managing the best information technology solutions available. Neha Asthana,IT Lecturer 12

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Goal 5: Guarantee a reliable communication and computer infrastructure foundation on which to efficiently conduct business operations today and in the future.

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Goal 6: Effectively communicate information about plans, projects, and achievements to staff and customers.

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Goal 7: Develop and maintain technically skilled staff who are competent in current and emerging information technology and a user community that understands and can employ modern technologies to maximize business benefits.

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Goal 8: Ensure effective technical and fiscal management of the Department's operations, resources, technology projects and contracts.

Neha Asthana,IT Lecturer

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Goal 9: Enforce secure and effective access to technology resources through use of authentication and identity management technologies.

Neha Asthana,IT Lecturer

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Role Of IT: ► 1.leads

to rapid growth ► 2.it has changed the power structure forever-power is shifted now to people, ► 3.drives B2B e-commerce world wide ► 4.leads to smaller investments . ► 5.It provides an opportunity to the developing nations and under developed nations so that can build up their strategies and compete with the developed nations.

Neha Asthana,IT Lecturer

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E.g.: SIEMENS ►

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Siemens is a German-based 150-year-old diversified and Global manufacturer With 484,000 employees, Siemens does business in 190 countries and has 600 manufacturing and R & D (research and development) facilities in over 50 countries. Its product lines and services are extremely varied, including communication and information, automation and controls, power, transportation, medical equipment, and lighting. Besides its own 13 operating divisions, Siemens AG has interests in other companies like Bosch (household appliances), Framatome (in France's nuclear power industry), and Fujitsu computers.

Neha Asthana,IT Lecturer

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Facing hundreds of competitors, most of which are in foreign countries, the company had difficulties expanding its business in a fast-changing business environment and was unable to enjoy the profit margin of some of its competitors.

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A major problem area was the coordination of the internal units of the company.

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Another one was the collaboration with so many suppliers and customers.

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In particular, its supply chain-the flow of materials from suppliers through manufacturing, distribution, and sales-is very complex.

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Finally, it Was necessary to find ways to curtail costs and to increase customer service. Neha Asthana,IT Lecturer

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Solution: ►

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By the late 1990s the company decided to transform itself into a 100 percent "e-business (a company that performs various business functions electronically), by introducing Web-based systems and electronic commerce application in all of its operations. The reason for such an ambitious goal was the need to solve the problems caused by multi location, multiple supply chain operations. Embarking on a four-year plan, the company Slatted the transformation in 1999. Siemens has decided on a dual approach: It will use its own in-house information systems capabilities where it makes sense to do so, but it will also go out of- house to purchase some systems from major vendors.

Neha Asthana,IT Lecturer

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Its Goals were: ►

Improve its readiness for extended electronic commerce by standardizing hundreds of business processes across multiple divisions.

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Redesign the information technology infrastructure to enable integration of best-of-breed software (software components that best fit the company needs, each from a different vendor), integrated into an enterprise wide, platform.

Neha Asthana,IT Lecturer

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Besides being able to handle electronic transactions, Siemens also wants to create an easily accessible central corporate knowledge base-a company wide storehouse of proven methodologies .

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Using SAP R/3 systems along with software from i2 Technology and IBM, the company is building functional systems that link the enterprise, ensure support functions, and connect with the company's supply chain partners.

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Functions such as customers orders, on-line procuring of materials for manufacturing, collaborating with different partners for developing products, and transporting of finished products are being integrated across the company using the Internet as much as possible.

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Also system aims at providing better customer service to Siemens's business customers.

Neha Asthana,IT Lecturer

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RESULTS: ►

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In its 2000 fiscal year, the company saw its electronic commerce sales and its electronic procurement transactions reach 10 percent of its total sales and purchases, respectively. In 2002, online sales increased by 25 percent, and eprocurement grew 60 percent over its 2000 level. By March 2003,350,000 employees were networked throughout the company. They had direct access to the Internet, and a portal through which employees could access corporate information was in use. This portal offered various workplace aids, including search engines, forms, travel booking, and electronic expense account reporting.

Neha Asthana,IT Lecturer

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Conclusion: ►

This case illustrates that fierce global competition drives even large Corporations to find ways to reduce costs, increase productivity, and improve customer service.

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These efforts are best achieved by using Webbased systems, which are the major Enablers in the transformation to an e-business or e-company in the digital economy.

Neha Asthana,IT Lecturer

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