Information and communication technology (ICT),
is often used as an extended synonym for information technology (IT), but is a
more specific term that stresses the role of unified communications.
ICT is a broad subject which deals with
technology and other aspects of managing and processing information, especially
in large organisations. Particularly, ICT deals with the use of electronic
computer hardware and software to convert, store, protect, process, transmit,
and retrieve information.
The term ICT is now also used to refer to the
convergence of audiovisual and telephone networks with computer networks
through a single cabling or link system. There are large economic incentives
(huge cost savings due to elimination of the telephone network) to merge the
audio-visual, building management and telephone network with the computer
network system using a single unified system of cabling, signal distribution
and management.
The significance of IT can be seen from the fact
that it has penetrated almost every aspect of our daily lives from business to
leisure and even society. Today personal PCs, cellphones, fax machines, Pagers,
email and internet have all not only become an integral part of our very culture but also
play an essential role in our day to day activities. With such a wide scope
for the purpose of this article we shall focus on the impact of the internet in
information technology.
Advantages
of Information Technology
·
Globalization: IT 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. The world has developed into
a global village due to the help of information technology allowing countries
like India and Japan who are not only separated by distance but also by
language to share ideas and information with each other.
·
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 up 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: IT has made
it possible for businesses to be open twenty four hours in a week (24 x 7) all
over the globe. This means that a business can be open anytime anywhere, making
purchases from different countries easier and more convenient. It also means
that you can have your goods delivered right to your doorstep with having
to move a single muscle.
·
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.
Disadvantage 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.
·
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 worried about the ones private information becoming
public knowledge.
·
Lack of job security: industry expert believe that the internet
has made job security a big issue as since technology keeps on changing with each
day. This means that one has to be in a constant learning mode, if he or she
wishes to have a job secure.
·
Dominant culture: while
information technology have made the world global village, it has also
contributed to one culture dominating another weaker one. For example: it is
now argued that us influences how most young teenager all over the world now
act, dress and behave. Languages too have become overshadowed, with English
becoming the primary mode of communication for business and everything else.
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