Information technology

Information technology (IT) is the application of computers and telecommunications equipment to store, retrieve, transmit and manipulate data,often in the context of a business or other enterprise. 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, such as computer hardware, software, electronics, semiconductors, internet, telecom equipment, e-commerce and computer services. In a business context, the Information Technology Association of America has defined information technology as "the study, design, development, application, implementation, support or management of computer-based information systems".The responsibilities of those working in the field include network administration, software development and installation, and the planning and management of an organisation's technology life cycle, by which hardware and software is maintained, upgraded, and replaced. 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). 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) and electronic (1940–present). This article focuses on the most recent period (electronic), which began in about 1940.

development of information technology even in remote corners of the former have not felt any technology can now enjoy online information service SCARA technology.
Information technology arises as a result of globalization increasingly widespread in organizational life, the rigors of competition, the short life cycle of goods and services offered, as well as the increasing demands of consumer appetite for products and services offered. In anticipation of this, companies are looking for new ground by utilizing technology. Technology is expected to be a facilitator and interpreter. Use of information technology was originally confined to the processing of data. With the development of information technology, almost all activities of today's organizations have been infiltrated by the application of information technology and automation.
Information technology can be defined as the combination of computer and telecommunications technology with other technologies such as hardware, software, database, network technology, and other telecommunications equipment. Furthermore, use of information technology within an organization's information system to provide information for users in the decision making process.
There are various kinds of information systems using emerging information technologies, such as Electronic Data Processing Systems, Data Processing Systems (DPS), Decision Support System (DSS), Management Information System (MIS), Executive Information Systems (EIS), Expert System ( ES) and Accounting Information System (AIS) (Bodnar, 1998). Communication channel that can be used to communicate is a standard telephone lines, coaxial cable, fiber optics, microwave systems, communications satellites, cellular radio and telephone. While the network configuration can be used to communicate is a Wide Area Network (WAN), Local Area Network (LAN), and Client / Server Configurations (Romney, 2000).
EDP ​​is the use of computer technology to organize data processing in transaction-oriented organization. This system is used to process the transaction data that are routine (everyday). This system can not help job-related management decisions. The system is only beneficial to improve the timeliness and frequency of presentation of the report. Fundamentally, EDP is the application of accounting information systems in any organization. Terms of data processing (DP) is actually the same as the EDP.
MIS is teknologikomputer use to provide information-oriented mid-level management. MIS recognizes the fact that the managers within an organization need information in the decision making process and that the computer-based information systems can help provide information for managers.
DSS is an information system whose data are processed in the form of decision-making for the end user. Because the end-user oriented, then the DSS requires the use of decision models and specialized databases that are different from DP system. DSS aimed at providing real data, specifically, and information that is not routinely requested by management. DSS can be used to analyze the current market conditions or the potential market. DSS also can help transform business processes, which are generally the manager makes all the decisions, but with the information technology such as decision support tools, database access, and software modeling, decision-making became part of every person.
ES is an information system based on the use of knowledge about the field of application-specific knowledge to operate as an expert consultant for the end user. Such as DSS, ES requires the use of management decision models and specialized databases. Unlike DSS, ES also requires the development of knowledge base and the inference engine. If DSS assist management in the decision making process, then the ES to make the decision.
EIS is an information system that deals with the needs of top management on strategic information in the strategic decision making process. Whereas AIS is a system that provides financial information and non-financial nature for decision makers. The use of information technology in corporate activity such as the value chain can produce some benefits, such as cost savings, accelerated time operations, increase productivity, accelerate time delivery of goods and services to customers, as well as an increase in the value of goods and services that are high on the customer.
One of the information technology that is not less important is the use of Electronic Data Interchange (EDI). EDI is the communication between computers in order to increase the effectiveness and reduce the work that is clerical. Hansen and Hill (1989) defined as the movement of EDI business documents in a structured format between various business partners within an organization. With EDI, the received document can instruct the computer automatically. Integrated EDI provides opportunities for managers to concentrate fully on strategic decision making and improve the ability to control multiple activities.
Technology will continue to evolve. Strong information technology will be a competitive edge for the company and also become an entry barrier (Fasio, 1994). For organizations that want to progress and develop, there is no reason not to use all the technology that can help companies adapt to the environment (Hanscombe, 1989).

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