Scribd
Upload
20 views12 pages

COM 1226 Lecture2

The document discusses the benefits and opportunities of information technology, highlighting its speed, consistency, precision, and reliability in performing tasks. It emphasizes how IT aids in problem-solving, globalization, communication, and job creation, while also addressing disadvantages such as unemployment and security issues. Overall, it presents a balanced view of IT's impact on society and business operations.

Uploaded by

patelsamir0950
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
20 views12 pages

COM 1226 Lecture2

The document discusses the benefits and opportunities of information technology, highlighting its speed, consistency, precision, and reliability in performing tasks. It emphasizes how IT aids in problem-solving, globalization, communication, and job creation, while also addressing disadvantages such as unemployment and security issues. Overall, it presents a balanced view of IT's impact on society and business operations.

Uploaded by

patelsamir0950
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 12

COM 1626/1226

Benefits of Information Technology

 Speed: Split second thinking is an ability people admire in others and would
like to have them. What exactly is split-second thinking? Clearly, the term
implies speed if a ball bounces in front of the car that you are driving, you
step on the brake pedal instantly to avoid hitting the child you suspect is
chasing after the ball. You have only a fraction of a second to decide on and
take the proper action. That is split-second thinking. Most task, however, take
even the quickest thinkers longer than a split second. For instance, no one
can write a sentence or add a list of 15 deposit and withdrawals in a split
second.

 Computers, on the other hand, do everything in fractions of seconds. They are


much faster than people could ever hope to be a myriad of tasks. They can
perform complex calculations, recall stored information, transmit information
from one location to another, and move objects around a computer screen
almost instantly
 Consistency: People often have difficulty repeating their actions exactly.
Indeed, doing something once is not as difficult as doing it the same way, and
with the same results, repeatedly. Computers excel at repeating actions
consistently. Whether running a spell checker built into a word processor or
playing multimedia animations for training purposes, a computer will carry
out the activity the same way every time.

 Precision: In addition to being fast consistent, computers are extremely


precise. They can detect minute differences that people cannot see. In
manufacturing automobile, for example, the precise placement of a part, as
directed by a computer, may make the difference between long use and every
wear. Computers excel in managing the smallest differences that is, in being
precise.
 Reliability: with speed, consistency, and precision comes reliability. When you
know that the same procedure will be followed, rapidly, consistently, and
precisely, you can expect reliability of results that is; you can depend on
getting the same results again and again. You can also count on computers
and communication networks to be available and properly functioning when
you need them- which is another kind of reliability, reliability of use.

 In general computers are very reliable. Many personal computers have never
needed a service call.
The Opportunities for Information Technology

IT provides many opportunities to help people and solve problems

 Helping People: How can one be more effective? More productive? More
creative? Asking these kinds of questions regularly will challenge you to
perform at your best and fulfill your potential. Other questions focus on your
attention outward. How can I help other people? How can I work toward
providing affordable health care to all those who want them? How can I help
to safeguard the environment, protect the air, water, and land from pollution;
and save endangered species from extinction? How can my business improve
the society in which I live? These questions are complex, challenging and
tremendously important
 Solving Problems: A problem is the perceived difference between an existing
condition and a desired condition. For example, the study time you wish you
had to prepare for exam and the time you must prepare. Problems can be
dramatic as accidents that cause serious harm or as mundane as traffic
hassles. Dramatic or mundane, all problems can be challenging.

 Problem Solving: Problem solving is recognizing a problem, identifying


alternatives for solving it, and successfully implementing the chosen solution.
Information technology presents many opportunities to help people
identifying and solve problems. Using a word processing program to prepare
term papers and a spreadsheet program to analyze financial cases may help
you solve a study-time problem, for example, because these programs enable
you to accomplish more in each amount of time.
Advantages of information technology

 Globalization: Information Technology has not only brought the world closer
together, but it has allowed the world's economy to become a single
interdependent system. This means that we can not only share information
quickly and efficiently, but we can also bring down barriers of linguistic and
geographic boundaries.

 Communication: With the help of information technology, communication has


also become cheaper, quicker, and more efficient. We can now communicate
with anyone around the globe by simply text messaging them or sending them
an email for an almost instantaneous response. The internet has also opened
face to face direct communication from different parts of the world thanks to
the helps of video conferencing.
 Cost effectiveness: Information technology has helped to computerize the
business process thus streamlining businesses to make them extremely cost-
effective money-making machines. This in turn increases productivity which
ultimately gives rise to profits that means better pay and less strenuous
working conditions.

 Bridging the cultural gap: Information technology has helped to bridge the
cultural gap by helping people from different cultures to communicate with
one another, and allow for the exchange of views and ideas, thus increasing
awareness and reducing prejudice

 More time /Availability: Information Technology has made it possible for


businesses to be open 24/7 all over the globe. This means that a business can
be open anytime anywhere, making purchases from different countries easier
and more convenient.
 Creation of new jobs: Probably the best advantage of information technology
is the creation of new and interesting jobs. Computer programmers, Systems
analyzers, Hardware and Software developers and Web designers are just some
of the many new employment opportunities created with the help of IT.

 Automated Processes: The ability to find ways to complete more work in a


shorter amount of time is essential to the success of a company. Information
technology improves a company’s efficiency by implementing automated
processes to make employees more capable of handling a larger workload.
Reports, queries and monitoring financials can be completed by the computer
programs, leaving employees free to complete other tasks.

 Remote Access: When a company has implemented an information technology


system, many times employees can then access the company’s network
electronically. This enables employees to work from home or while on the road.
This gives the employees more flexibility and they are more productive
because they can still work when not in the office.
 Data Privacy: Though information technology may have made communication
quicker, easier and more convenient, it has also bought along privacy issues.
From cell phone signal interceptions to email hacking, people are now worried
about their once private information becoming public knowledge.

 Expense of Implementation and Maintenance: Setup costs for implementing


an information technology system within a home or business can be very costly.
Software training can also take another big bite out of the budget. Information
technology systems, just like any other equipment, need to be maintained and
repaired from time to time. But there are also updating and upgrading costs
associated with IT systems.
Disadvantages of information technology

 Unemployment: While information technology may have streamlined the


business process it has also created job redundancies, downsizing and
outsourcing. This means that a lot of lower and middle level jobs have been
done away with causing more people to become unemployed.

 Security issues: Thieves and hackers get access to identities and corporate
saboteurs target sensitive company data. Such data can include vendor
information, bank records, intellectual property and personal data on
company management. The hackers distribute the information over the
Internet, sell it to rival companies or use it to damage the company’s image.
Read on

Lecture 3 and 4
 Networks
 Network topologies

You might also like