TOPIC : INTRODUCTION TO INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY 

DEFINITION

INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY IS DEFINED AS THE USE OF COMPUTER HARDWARE AND SOFTWARE TO STORE,RETRIEVE,AND MANIPULATE INFORMATION.

 Often in the context of a business or other enterprise. IT is considered a subset of information and communications technology (ICT). In 2012, Zuppo proposed an ICT hierarchy where each hierarchy level "contain some degree of commonality in that they are related to technologies that facilitate the transfer of information and various types of electronically mediated communications^. Business/IT was one level of the ICT hierarchy.
The term is commonly used as a synonym for computers and computer networks, but it also encompasses other information distribution technologies such as television and telephones. Several industries are associated with information technology, including computer hardware, software, electronics, semiconductors, internet, telecom equipment, engineering, healthcare, e-commerce and computer services.
Humans have been storing, retrieving, manipulating and communicating information since the Sumerians in Mesopotamia developed writing in about 3000 BC, but the term information technology in its modern sense first appeared in a 1958 article published in the Harvard Business Review; authors Harold J. Leavitt and Thomas L. Whisler commented that "the new technology does not yet have a single established name. We shall call it information technology (IT)." Their definition consists of three categories: techniques for processing, the application of statistical and mathematical methods to decision-making, and the simulation of higher-order thinking through computer programs.
Based on the storage and processing technologies employed, it is possible to distinguish four distinct phases of IT development: pre-mechanical (3000 BC – 1450 AD), mechanical (1450–1840), electromechanical (1840–1940) electronic (1940–present), and moreover, IT as a service. This article focuses on the most recent period (electronic), which began in about 1940.

 

1.1 APPLICATION OF IT


[a] FIELD: FINANCE 

- People and companies use computers to help manage their finance

USAGE 




Companies use IT to balance checkbooks,pay bills,track personal income and expenses,manage investment,and evaluate finance plan.

Example : Online banking,finance investment/online investing ,and electronic payment system [EPS]


[b]FIELD : EDUCATION

Today,educators are turning to computers to assist witt education.Many schools and companies equip labs and classroom with computers. 

Usage
-Teachers: use IT to do research for teaching materials, participate in online forum and online reference,use software.
-Students: use IT as reference tools for finding informaton in the internet.
-School administrators:use IT for keeping students and teachers record

Example:Courseware, Educational portal[ e-portal],web based learning and learning management.

[c]FIELD : GOVERNMENT

-Most gevernment offices have their own web sites to provide society with up-to-date information and services.

USAGE
-To provide citizens with up-to-date information through the government web sites.
-Helps to enchance the convenience,accessibility , and quality of interactions between the government and the citizens.
-employees of government agencies use IT as part of their daily routine.

Example: mygovernment,e-filing,e-penyata gaji dan laporan,Portal Jabatan Perkhidmatan Awam,e-SPKB,and e-Perolehan.

[d]FIELD: HEALTHCARE 

Nearly every area of health care today uses computers for various purpose.

USAGE
-Hospitals and doctor use IT to maintain and access patient records,store personal health history including prescription,labtest results ,doctor visit allergies and immunization.
-Doctors use e-mail to correspond with patient.

Example: Telemedicine,Telesurgery,Medline,Counter registration system

[e] FIELD:SCIENCE

-Breakthrough in surgery ,medicine,and treatments often result from scientist's use of computer.

USAGE
-Use computers to assist them with collecting,analyzing,and modelling data.
-Scientist also use the internet to communicate with colleagues araound the word

Example: A cochlear implant,An electrodes implant,and a neural network

[f]FIELD: PUBLISHING

-The process of making works available to the public.These works iclude books,magazines,newspapers,music,film,and video.
 -Many publishers make their