Chapter 41: Information Communication Technology 1

CHAPTER FOURTY-ONE: INFORMATION

COMMUNICATION
TECHNOLOGY (ICT)
Today information technology involves more than just computer literacy; it also takes into account
how computers work and how these computers can further be used not just for information
processing but also for communications and problem solving tasks as well.

Our world today has changed a great deal with the aid of information technology. Things that were
once done manually or by hand have now become computerized operating systems, which simply
require a single click of a mouse to get a task completed. With the aid of IT we are not only able to
stream line our business processes but we are also able to get constant information in 'real time'
that is up to the minute and up to date.

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, cell phones, 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.

ICT (information and communications

technology - or technologies) is an umbrella
term that includes any communication
device or application, encompassing: radio,
television, cellular phones, computer and
network hardware and software, satellite
systems and so on, as well as the various
services and applications associated with
them, such as videoconferencing and
distance learning. ICTs are often spoken of
in a particular context, such as ICTs in
education, health care, or libraries.

ICT is an acronym that stands for Information Communications Technology.

(ICT is the technology required for information processing, in particular, the

use of electronic computers, communication devices and software applications
to convert, store, protect, process, transmit and retrieve information from
anywhere, anytime).

However, apart from explaining an acronym, there is not a universally accepted definition of ICT?
Why? Because the concepts, methods and applications involved in ICT are constantly evolving on an
almost daily basis. It’s difficult to keep up with the changes - they happen so fast.

Let’s focus on the three words behind ICT:

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❖ INFORMATION
❖ COMMUNICATIONS
❖ TECHNOLOGY

INFORMATION refers to the knowledge obtained from reading, investigation, study or research. The
tools to transmit information are the telephone, television and radio. Information is
knowledge and helps us to fulfil our daily tasks
COMMUNICATION is an act of transmitting messages. It is a process whereby information is
exchanged between individuals using symbols, signs or verbal interactions. Communication
is important in order to gain knowledge
TECHNOLOGY is the use of scientific knowledge, experience and resources to create processes
products that fulfil human needs. Technology is vital in communication

A good way to think about ICT is to consider all the uses of digital technology that already exist to
help individuals, businesses and organisations use information.

ICT covers any product that will store, retrieve, manipulate, transmit or receive information
electronically in a digital form. For example, personal computers, digital television, email, robots.

So ICT is concerned with the storage, retrieval, manipulation, transmission or receipt of digital
data. Importantly, it is also concerned with the way these different uses can work with each other.

In business, ICT is often categorised into two broad types of product: -

(1) The traditional computer-based technologies (things you can typically do on a personal computer
or using computers at home or at work); and

(2) The more recent, and fast-growing range of digital communication technologies (which allow
people and organisations to communicate and share information digitally)

Let's take a brief look at these two categories to demonstrate the kinds of products and ideas that
are covered by ICT:

TRADITIONAL COMPUTER BASED TECHNOLOGIES

These types of ICT include:

• Application
• Use

Standard Office Applications - Main Examples

Word processing
E.g. Microsoft Word: Write letters, reports etc

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Spreadsheets
E.g. Microsoft Excel; Analyse financial information; calculations; create forecasting models etc

Database software
E.g. Oracle, Microsoft SQL Server, Access; Managing data in many forms, from basic lists (e.g.
customer contacts through to complex material (e.g. catalogue)

Presentation software
E.g. Microsoft PowerPoint; make presentations, either directly using a computer screen or data
projector. Publish in digital format via email or over the Internet

Desktop publishing
E.g. Adobe In design, Quark Express, Microsoft Publisher; produce newsletters, magazines and other
complex documents.

Graphics software
E.g. Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator; create and edit images such as logos, drawings or pictures for
use in DTP, web sites or other publications

Specialist Applications - Examples (there are many!)

Accounting package
E.g. Sage, Oracle; Manage an organisation's accounts including revenues/sales, purchases, bank
accounts etc. A wide range of systems is available ranging from basic packages suitable for small
businesses through to sophisticated ones aimed at multinational companies.

Computer Aided Design

Computer Aided Design (CAD) is the use of computers to assist the design process. Specialised CAD
programs exist for many types of design: architectural, engineering, electronics, roadways

Customer Relations Management (CRM)

Software that allows businesses to better understand their customers by collecting and analysing
data on them such as their product preferences, buying habits etc. Often linked to software
applications that run call centres and loyalty cards for example.

TRADITIONAL COMPUTER BASED TECHNOLOGIES

The C part of ICT refers to the communication of data by electronic means, usually over some
distance. This is often achieved via networks of sending and receiving equipment, wires and satellite
links.

The technologies involved in communication tend to be complex. You certainly don't need to
understand them for your ICT topic. However, there are aspects of digital communications that you

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need to be aware of. These relate primarily to the types of network and the ways of connecting to
the Internet. Let's look at these two briefly (further revision notes provide much more detail to
support your study).

INTERNAL NETWORKS
Usually referred to as a local area network (LAN), this involves linking a number of hardware items
(input and output devices plus computer processing) together within an office or building.

The aim of a LAN is to be able to share hardware facilities such as printers or scanners, software
applications and data. This type of network is invaluable in the office environment where colleagues
need to have access to common data or programmes.

EXTERNAL NETWORKS
Often you need to communicate with someone outside your internal network, in this case you will
need to be part of a Wide Area Network (WAN). The Internet is the ultimate WAN - it is a vast
network of networks. ICT in a Broader Context

Though not prescribed in your subject it is perhaps important that individually you educate yourself
on the above examples of ICT in action, perhaps focusing on the use of key applications such as
spreadsheets, databases, presentation, graphics and web design software. You may consider the
following important topics that deal with the way ICT is used and managed in an organisation:

• The nature of information (the "I" in ICT); this covers topics such as the meaning and value
of information; how information is controlled; the limitations of ICT; legal considerations.
• Management of information - this covers how data is captured, verified and stored for
effective use; the manipulation, processing and distribution of information; keeping
information secure; designing networks to share information.
• Information systems strategy - this considers how ICT can be used within a business or
organisation as part of achieving goals and objectives

As you can see, ICT is a broad and fast-changing subject. We hope our free study materials (revision
notes, quizzes, presentations etc) will help you master IT!

ICT: DATA AND INFORMATION

We talk often about Information - the "I" in ICT. But what is information? How does it differ from
"data"? And what kind of information does a business require?

The difference between Data and Information

It is important that you understand the difference between "data" and "information"

Data

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Think of data as a "raw material" - it needs to be processed before it can be turned into something
useful. Hence the need for "data processing". Data comes in many forms - numbers, words, symbols.
Data relates to transactions, events and facts. On its own - it is not very useful.

• Think of the data that is created when you buy a product from a retailer. This includes:
• Time and date of transaction (e.g. 10:05 Tuesday 23 December 20X3)
• Transaction value (e.g. £55.00)
• Facts about what was bought (e.g. hairdryer, cosmetics pack, shaving foam)
• How much was bought (quantities)
• How payment was made (e.g. credit card, credit card number and code)
• Which employee recorded the sale - Whether any promotional discount applied

At its simplest, this data needs processing at the point of sale in order for the customer to receive a
valid receipt. So the data about the transaction is processed to create "information" - in this case a
receipt. You can imagine that the same data would also be useful to the manager of the retail store.
For example, a report showing total sales in the day, or which are the best-selling products. So the
data concerning all shop transactions in the day needs to be captured, and then processed into a
management report.

Information

Insert example of receipt

The above example demonstrates what information is.

Information is data that has been processed in such a way as to be meaningful to the person who
receives it.

Note the two words italicised, underlined and in bold - "processed" and "meaningful". It is not
enough for data simply to be processed. It has to be of use to someone - otherwise why bother?!

USES OF INFORMATION IN A BUSINESS

Businesses and other organisations need information for many purposes: we have summarised the
five main uses in the table below.

USE DESCRIPTION
PLANNING To plan properly, a business needs to know what resources it has (e.g. cash, people,
machinery and equipment, property, customers). It also needs information about
the markets in which it operates and the actions of competitors. At the planning
stage, information is important as a key ingredient in decision-making.
RECORDING Information about each transaction or event is needed. Much of this is required to
be collected by law - e.g. details of financial transactions. Just as importantly,
information needs to be recorded so that the business can be properly managed.
CONTROLLING Once a business has produced its plan it needs to monitor progress against the plan
- and control resources to do so. So information is needed to help identify whether

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things are going better or worse than expected, and to spot ways in which
corrective action can be taken
MEASURING Performance must be measured for a business to be successful. Information is used
as the main way of measuring performance. For example, this can be done by
collecting and analysing information on sales, costs and profits
DECISION- Information used for decision-making is often categorised into three types:
MAKING
Strategic information Used to help plan the objectives of the business as a
whole and to measure how well those objectives are
being achieved. Examples of strategic information
include:
• Profitability of each part of the business
• Size, growth and competitive structure of the
markets in which a business operates
• Investments made by the business and the
returns (e.g. profits, cash inflows) from those
investments
Tactical Information: This is used to decide how the resources of the
business should be employed. Examples include:
• Information about business productivity (e.g.
units produced per employee; staff turnover)
• Profit and cash flow forecasts in the short term
• Pricing information from the market

Operational Information: This information is used to make sure that specific

operational tasks are carried out as planned/intended
(i.e. things are done properly). For example, a
production manager will want information about the
extent and results of quality control checks that are
being carried out in the manufacturing process.

Summary

This revision note has outlined the main kinds of information. It is important that you understand
the difference between data and information, explain the role that information plays in a business,
and distinguish between the main kinds of information.

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ADVANTAGES AND DISADVATAGES OF ICT

What are the advantages and disadvantages of Information Communication Technology Elections,
Banking, Science, Government, Business, Healthcare, Hospitality Elections, Political Parties e.t.c.?

Some 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 Chile and Japan who are not only separated by distance
but also by language to shares ideas and information with each other.
• Communication

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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 24 x7 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.

Some disadvantages of information technology include:

• Unemployment
While information technology may have streamlined the business process it has also crated
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 now worried about their once private information becoming
public knowledge.
• Lack of job security
Industry experts 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 for their job to be secure.
• Dominant culture
While information technology may have made the world a 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 teenagers 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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From: [Link]

INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY AND SOCIETY

IMPACT OF ICT ON SOCIETY

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IMPACT OF
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Computer Ethics.

Computer ethics is a system of moral standards or values used as a guideline for computer users. It is
needed to stop the current technology products from being exploited. Ethics is a moral philosophy
where a person makes a specific moral choice and sticks to it. Code of ethics in computing means
moral guidelines to refer to when using the computer and the Internet.

Intellectual Property.

Intellectual property refers to any product of human intellect that is unique and has value in the
market place. This covers ideas, inventions, unique name, computer program codes and many more.

Privacy

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Privacy in IT refers to data and information privacy. In general, data include texts, numbers, sounds,
images and video. Information privacy is described as the rights of individuals and companies to
deny or restrict the collection and use of information about them.

Cyber Law.

Cyber law refers to any laws relating to protecting the Internet and other online communication
technologies.

Intellectual property laws are needed to establish and safeguard the intellectual property which
refers to works created by inventors, authors and artists. It is also needed as businesses today
continue to expand globally. There are four types of Intellectual Property protection. They are
patents for invention, trade marks for brand identity, and designs for product appearance and
copyright for material.

Cyber Law is needed as in the recent years, many concerns and issues were raised on the integrity
and security of information, legal status of online transactions, privacy and confidentiality of
information, intellectual property rights and security of government data placed on the Internet.

CONTROVERSIAL CONTENTS ANDCONTROL

Pornography:

Pornography is any form of media or material that show erotic behaviour and intended to cause
sexual excitement. The effects of pornography on society are that it

• Can lead to criminal acts such as exploitation of women.

• Can lead sexual addiction
• Can develop lower moral values towards other people
• Can erode good religious, cultural, behaviours and beliefs.
• Pornography can lead to criminal acts

Slander

Slander is a false spoken statement about someone, intended to damage his or her reputation. The
effects of slander on society are:

• Can develop society that disregards on honesty and truth

• Can lead to bad habits of spreading rumours and untruth
• Can cause people to have negative attitudes towards another person
• Can lead to unnecessary arguments

REFERENCES

1) Jim Riley An introduction to Information Communication Technology, Sunday 23

September, 2012
2) [Link]

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Chapter 41: Information Communication Technology 11

24 JUNE 2014

THINGS TO DO:

Make original receipts of transactions from the following businesses as examples

Shoprite – cash sale

ZESCO – Electricity payment - done

Zampost – Money transfer – done

Commercial Bank – ATM deposit or withdrawal -

Lusaka Water and Sewerage –

Zamloto – lottery ticket - done

erry yer Zae Generate or collect original ghegE

RtH

tsaTs

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