Information technology is related to studying, designing and developing information related to computers. This field is growing at a very fast pace over the last few years and according to successful and well-known people in the IT sector, this growth is expected to remain stable. Due to the robust growth, millions of jobs have been created in this field. However, it is very essential for us to understand what the importance of information technology is.
Information Technology (IT) has become a strategic necessity. Unless we believe in IT and act on it, there is every chance of becoming a footnote in the annals of History. IT has become a vital component of successful businesses and organisations.
Managers are expected to identify opportunities to implement information systems to improve the business processes. Managers are also required to lead Information System (IS) projects in IT. Information Technology has become a major facilitator of business activities. It is also a catalyst of fundamental changes in the structure, operations and management of organisations. IT can be used to:
- Perform high-speed, high-volume, numeric computations.
- Provide fast, accurate and inexpensive communication within and between organisations.
- Store huge amounts of data in an easy-to-access yet small space and allow quick and easy access.
- Automate semiautomatic business processes and manually done tasks
IT has been used for improving productivity, reducing cost, enhancing decision making process, enhancing customer relationships, and developing new strategic applications. The business paradigm has completely shifted from being sellers market to buyers market. Customers have become the focal point of any business. The business environment is no more as stable as it used to be and has become much more competitive. It became mandatory on the part of the organisations to make full use of IT to survive. IT has become one of the standard components of an organisation.
The individuals are supported by IT to fulfil their roles. The management and the business processes have become IT oriented. Organisation structure and strategy are also supported by IT. Whenever an external or internal pressure is felt by an organisation, IT helps the organisation to plan critical response activities.
The changed government policy may create a pressure on an organisation. But such a pressure is distributed over a long period as government gives enough time to organisations to respond to changed policies. But if there is a change in the behaviour of consumers, the organisation should be able to identify the change. Moreover, they should be able to come up with a solution fast.
IT helps an organisation to anticipate and stay ahead of problems. The organisation can take proactive measures rather than fire fighting measures. An organisation can use an IT supported strategic system to increase their market share. IT can help an organisation negotiate better with their suppliers. Maintaining and improving quality of products and processes in an organisation needs regular support, vigilance and innovation.
Business Process Reengineering (BPR) has become the need to the day for every business; BPR involves changing business processes in an innovative way. IT plays a major role in BPR. Internet and Intranet help an organisation in changing its business processes to reduce cycle time and time to market a product.
IT makes information available to employees with different level of access. As a result, employees can be given more independence to make decisions.
There are many businesses which are in need of the software packages for satisfying their operational as well as functional needs. For fulfilling this requirement, these companies sign deals with the software manufacturing companies. Information technology is useful in ensuring the smooth functioning of all the departments in a company such as the human resource Notes department, finance department, manufacturing department and in security related purposes.
The companies in the automobile manufacturing sector are able to get rid of any sort of errors or mistakes in the proper functioning of the tools used for designing and manufacturing purposes. Due to the development of the information technology sector, the companies are being able to keep themselves aware of the changes in the global markets.
The software applications and the hardware devices are known to be the main elements of the use of information technology. The web browsers, the operating systems, ERP’s and special purpose applications are the software which is used in information technology. IT plays an important role in easily solving the mathematical problems and in the project management system.
It has a great use in the automated production of sensitive information, automated upgradation of the important business processes and the automated streamlining of the various business processes. It has also played an important role in the areas of communication and automated administration of entire systems.
Importance of information technology in educational sector is well-known. It helps the students as well as the teachers in studying the course material easily because of fast access. Studying the subjects with the help of online libraries and dictionaries has made grasping and increasing the knowledge easy for the students.
The inclusion of information technology in the syllabus in schools, colleges and universities has helped them in grasping the subject well and getting their basics cleared. Since, many educational centres have the online grading system; it has been a boon for the parents of the children to keep a tab on their performances. Parents can also get the details of the attendance record of their child in schools.
Importance of IT in management is quite significant. It helps the managers in adapting to the new business processes and to predict the possible impact of new technologies. The managers can benefit from the efficiently prepared computer packages and the electronically stored confidential information. With just a single click of the mouse, they can have the relevant information in front of their screen. However, to be able to handle these software packages in a better way, the managers should have undergone quality training in information technology.
Taking this need into consideration, many corporate companies are seen taking special efforts for the development of these soft skills by training programs prepared by experienced software professionals.
This sector is growing at a fast pace and is creating ample opportunities for deserving candidates with great pay packages.
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