1 Senn, Information Technology, 3 rd Edition © 2004 Pearson Prentice Hall Information Technology, 3 rd Edition Chapter 1 Information Technology: Principles, Practices, and Opportunities

2 Senn, Information Technology, 3 rd Edition © 2004 Pearson Prentice Hall Objectives Describe the six characteristics of the Information Age and discuss the role of information technology as the principal tool of the Information Age. Explain the three primary components of information technology. Identify the six information-handling functions and the four benefits of information technology. Discuss the types of opportunities that information technology offers to people.

3 Senn, Information Technology, 3 rd Edition © 2004 Pearson Prentice Hall Welcome to the Information Age The Evolution of the Information Age Agricultural Age : The period up to the 1800s, when the majority of workers were farmers whose lives revolved around agriculture. Industrial Age : The period from the 1800s to 1957, when work processes were simplified through mechanization and automation. Information Age : The period that began in 1957, in which the majority of workers are involved in the creation, distribution, and application of information. –Knowledge Workers: Workers involved in the creation, distribution, and application of information.

4 Senn, Information Technology, 3 rd Edition © 2004 Pearson Prentice Hall Welcome to the Information Age The Evolution of the Information Age (Continued)

5 Senn, Information Technology, 3 rd Edition © 2004 Pearson Prentice Hall Welcome to the Information Age The Characteristics of the Information Age 1.An information-based society has arisen. 2.Businesses depend on information technology to get their work done. 3.Work processes are being transformed to increase productivity. 4.Information technology provides the means to rethink/recreate/reengineer conventional business processes. 5.Success in business is largely determined by the effectiveness with which information technology is used. 6.Information technology is embedded in many products and services.

6 Senn, Information Technology, 3 rd Edition © 2004 Pearson Prentice Hall What is Information Technology? Definition items and abilitiesIT is a term used to refer to a wide variety of items and abilities used in the creation, storage, and dispersal of data and information as well as in the creation of Knowledge. Data: Raw facts, figures, and details. Information: An organized, meaningful, and useful interpretation of data. Knowledge: An awareness and understanding of a set of information and how that information can be put to the best use.

7 Senn, Information Technology, 3 rd Edition © 2004 Pearson Prentice Hall What is Information Technology? Definition (Continued) There are three main components of IT: 1.Computers 2.communications Networks 3.know-how.

8 Senn, Information Technology, 3 rd Edition © 2004 Pearson Prentice Hall What is Information Technology? Computers 1.Computers An electronic system that can be instructed to accept, process, store, and present data and information. Computers come in four sizes (Computer hierarchy): A.Microcomputers B.Midrange computers C.Mainframes D.Supercomputers

9 Senn, Information Technology, 3 rd Edition © 2004 Pearson Prentice Hall What is Information Technology? Computers (Continued) A.Microcomputers: A relatively compact type of computer, the most common of all, easily outsells all other types of computers annually for use in business and at home. Five types of Microcomputers: –Desktop Computers –Notebook Computers/Laptop Computers –Tablet PCs –Personal Digital Assistants –Palm PCs

10 Senn, Information Technology, 3 rd Edition © 2004 Pearson Prentice Hall What is Information Technology? Computers (Continued) B.Midrange computers A computer uses to interconnect people and large sets of information. More powerful than a microcomputer, the minicomputer is usually dedicated to performing specific functions. C.Mainframe Computers Larger, faster, and more expensive than a midrange computer, this computer is used for several purposes simultaneously. D.Supercomputers The most powerful of all computers, supercomputers were designed to solve problems consisting of long and difficult calculations.

11 Senn, Information Technology, 3 rd Edition © 2004 Pearson Prentice Hall What is Information Technology? Computers (Continued) Computer System: Hardware (HW) + Software (SW) Hardware: The computer and its associated equipment. Program: A set of instructions that directs a computer to perform certain tasks and produce certain results. Software: The general term for a set of instructions that controls a computer or a communications network. Program + Documentations System: A set of components that interact to accomplish a purpose.

12 Senn, Information Technology, 3 rd Edition © 2004 Pearson Prentice Hall What is Information Technology? Computers (Continued) Information System: A business information system designed to produce the information needed for successful management of a structured problem, process, department, or business.

13 Senn, Information Technology, 3 rd Edition © 2004 Pearson Prentice Hall What is Information Technology? Communications Networks 2.Communications Network Communication: The sending and receiving of data and information over a communications network. transmits and receivesCommunications Network: A set of locations, or nodes, consisting of hardware, programs, and information linked together as a system that transmits and receives data and information. Data Communication: The transmission of data and information through a communications medium.

14 Senn, Information Technology, 3 rd Edition © 2004 Pearson Prentice Hall What is Information Technology? Know-How 3.Know how: The capability to do something well. Information technology know-how consists of: –Familiarity with the tools of IT; including the Internet –Possession of the skills needed to use these tools –An understanding of when to use IT to solve a problem or create an opportunity

15 Senn, Information Technology, 3 rd Edition © 2004 Pearson Prentice Hall The Principles of Information Technology The Functions of Information Technology

16 Senn, Information Technology, 3 rd Edition © 2004 Pearson Prentice Hall Capture: The process of compiling detailed records of activities. Processing : The process of converting, analyzing, computing, and synthesizing all forms of data or information. –Data Processing –Information Processing –Word Processing –Image Processing –Voice Processing The Principles of Information Technology The Functions of Information Technology (Continued)

17 Senn, Information Technology, 3 rd Edition © 2004 Pearson Prentice Hall Generation : The process of organizing information into a useful form, whether as numbers, text, sound, or visual image. Storage and Retrieval: Storage is the computer process of retaining information for future use. Retrieval is the process by which a computer locates and copies stored data or information for further processing or for transmission to another user. The Principles of Information Technology The Functions of Information Technology (Continued)

18 Senn, Information Technology, 3 rd Edition © 2004 Pearson Prentice Hall Transmission: The computer process of distributing information over a communications network. –Electronic Mail, or –Voice Messaging, or Voice Mail The Principles of Information Technology The Functions of Information Technology (Continued)

19 Senn, Information Technology, 3 rd Edition © 2004 Pearson Prentice Hall The Principles of Information Technology The Benefits of Information Technology

20 Senn, Information Technology, 3 rd Edition © 2004 Pearson Prentice Hall Helping People Solving Problems –Problem: A perceived difference between an existing condition and a desired condition. –Problem Solving: The process of recognizing a problem, identifying alternatives for solving it, and successfully implementing the chosen solution. The Principles of Information Technology The Opportunities of Information Technology

21 Senn, Information Technology, 3 rd Edition © 2004 Pearson Prentice Hall The Principles of Information Technology Information Technology Is All Around Us, Improving Our Lives Television Education Training Entertainment Shipping

22 Senn, Information Technology, 3 rd Edition © 2004 Pearson Prentice Hall Paperwork Money and Investments Agriculture Taxation and Accounting Health and Medicine The Principles of Information Technology Information Technology Is All Around Us, Improving Our Lives (Continued)

23 Senn, Information Technology, 3 rd Edition © 2004 Pearson Prentice Hall Manufacturing Journalism Energy Sports The Principles of Information Technology Information Technology Is All Around Us, Improving Our Lives (Continued)

24 Senn, Information Technology, 3 rd Edition © 2004 Pearson Prentice Hall Questions ? Thank You!