INFORMATION AND TECHNOLOGY AND ITS BENEFITS

Information technology, also known as IT, is a comprehensive term that includes all types of technology used to exchange, store, use or create information. Commonly used information technology equipment includes computers, servers, peripheral devices, Internet connectivity equipment and phone systems. From basic computer terminals to I !based telephony systems, information technology is an integral part of most modern business operations. Information Technology or IT mainly deals with computer applications. The common work environment today is totally dependent on computers. This has led to the need to develop and consistently upgrade dedicated computer software like pro"ect management software, for a number of related requirements. These include storage and protection of content, processing and transmitting of dedicated information and the secured retrieval of information, when and as required. IT promotes computing technology, covering everything from installing applications to developing databases. Why is Information Te hno!o"y Im#ortant #ll our work related applications are now completely automated, thanks to the IT sector. IT professionals are people involved in essential management of sensitive data, exclusive computer networking and systems!engineering. The advancement of the IT sector has resulted in automated$ ! #dministration of entire systems. roduction and manipulation of sensitive information. ! Cultural development and communication. ! %treamlining of business processes and timely upgrades.

BENEFITS OF INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY $ G!o%a!i&ation$ True globali&ation has come about only via this automated system. The creation of one interdependent system helps us to share information and end linguistic barriers across the continents. The collapse of geographic boundaries has made the world a 'global village'. The technology has not only made communication cheaper, but also possible much quicker and round the clock. The wonders of text messages, email and auto!response, backed by computer security applications, have opened up scope for direct communication. $ Cost'effe ti(e$ Computeri&ed, internet business processes have made many businesses turn to the Internet for increased productivity, greater profitability, clutter free working conditions and global client(le. It is mainly due to the IT industry that business have been able to make their processes more streamlined, thereby becoming more cost!effective and consequently more profitable. only due to the advent of information eople are technology. able to operate their businesses )*x+, even from remote locations

$Comm)ni ation* ,uick and effective communication is vital to any business anywhere in the world. Information technology gives an entrepreneur or business the tools, like email, video conferencing, %-%, etc., essential to communicate efficiently and effectively. to the business world, and information technology gives your company the resources it needs to communicate quickly and effectively. .ot only do people connect faster with the help of information technology, but they are also able to identify like!minded individuals and extend help, while strengthening ties.

$ Storin" an+ ,rote tin" Information* IT provides a low!cost business options to store and maintain information that may be important from a business or service point of view. /irtual vaults and other such security systems not only store vital data but also allow control over the access to such information. IT security systems will also protect virtual data from being hacked or wiped out in case of any technical failure. 0 Creation of Ne- .o%s$ 1ne of the biggest advantage of IT has been the creation of a whole new field of opportunity for skilled personnel leading to new and interesting "obs. 2ardware and software developers, computer programmers, web designers, system analyst, the list of new "obs created could go on. IT has also been attributed to be the ma"or cause of surge in the economies of certain Third 3orld nations too. Things that were once done manually or by hand have now become easier and faster due to the advent of a computing technology. 1ur world today has changed a great deal with the aid of IT which has penetrated almost every aspect of our daily lives and society, from leisure to business. IT has become a part of our day!to!day lives through the evident use of C's, Internet, cell phones, faxes, the list would seem endless. 4et us hope that newer development in the field of IT can provide benefits to our future generations, "ust as it has greatly benefited ours.

Effi ien y* %treamlined work flow systems, shared storage and collaborative work spaces can increase efficiency in a business and allow employees to process a greater level of work in a shorter period of time. Information technology systems can be used to automate
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routine tasks, to make data analysis easier and to store data in a manner that can easily be retrieved for future use. Technology can also be used to answer customer questions through email, in a real! time chat session or through a telephone routing system that connects a customer to an available customer service agent. Com#etiti(e A+(anta"e #doption of information technology resources allows companies to maintain a competitive advantage over their rivals. Companies using a first!movers strategy can use information technology to create new products, distance their products from the existing market or enhance their customer services. Companies that follow a low!cost product strategy can look to information technology solutions to reduce their costs through increased productivity and reduced need for employee overhead. 5usinesses can also build!in information technology to their products that makes it difficult for customers to switch platforms or products. E onomi Effi ien ies Companies can harness information technology resources to lower their costs. 6sing IT infrastructure, redundant tasks can be centrali&ed at one location. For example, a large company could centrali&e their payroll function at one location to lower employee costs. 7conomic efficiencies can also be reali&ed by migrating high!cost functions into an online environment. Companies can offer email support for customers that may have a lower cost than a live customer support call. Cost savings could also be found through outsourcing opportunities, remote work options and lower!cost communication options.

MORE BENEFITS* 0 students using computers do not feel that they are being watched or "udged8 0 a computer can analy&e the specific mistakes the student has made and can react in a different way from the usual teacher! this leads the student not only to self correction, but also to understanding the principles behind the correct solution8 0 a computer gives individual attention to the learner and replies immediately to questions or commands8 0 the another innovation involving self assessment consists of giving the learner the option of working mentally8 0 a video can be used at every level, both as supplementary material for language reinforcement and skills practice8 0 a video sequence used in class makes students more ready to communicate in the target language and a classroom more interactive8 0 when using modern technologies during foreign language classes, authentic language situations are introduced8 0 multimedia helps to make use of and stimulate one of the most important aspects of teaching 9 curiosity8 0 using the video camera stimulates students because it is thought! provoking, demanding, dynamic, close to real life, creative, requires whole!body involvement ant gives responsibility to students8