Topic 2: IT and ICT

Under this topic two ICT and IT, I learnt more about Information Communication Technology (ICT), Information Technology (IT), types of information systems and also the uses of ICT and IT. I enjoyed a lot during studying this topic. ICT also similar to IT. But it mainly focuses on communication technologies. For example it includes cell phones, internet, networks and other communication Medias.

If we look at Information Technology, it helps to create, store, exchange, use information, and supports to the information processing needs of an organisation. Telephones, fax machines, websites, and multimedia are some examples for Information Technology.

Then I studied about two main concepts of Information Technology. One is IT architecture and other one is IT infrastructure. IT architecture is like a map or plan of the information assets in an organisation and it helps to integrate organisations business needs into information, infrastructure and application.

 Infrastructure mean the physical facilities, IT components, IT services and IT personal that supports an entire organisation. Computer hardware, software, and communication technologies are the IT components. People are the IT personal who are working with IT and IS. IT services mean the services provided for people or customer. For example Data management, system development, and Security management.

After studying those ICT and IT, I learnt about types of information systems. There so many information systems that we can see now in IT world. I studied few of them. That are,

-Transaction Processing System (TPS)

-Decision Support System (DSS)

-Expert Support System (ESS)

-Management Information System (MIS)

-Office Automation System (OAS)

Transaction Processing System (TPS)

A transaction process system (TPS) is an information processing system for business transactions involving the collection, modification and retrieval of all transaction data. Characteristics of a TPS include performance, reliability and consistency. TPS is also known as transaction processing or real-time processing.

Decision Support System (DSS)

A decision support system (DSS) is a computer-based application that collects, organizes and analyses data to facilitate quality decision-making for management, operations and planning. A well-designed DSS helps decision makers in compiling a variety of data from many sources. For example raw data, documents, personal knowledge from employees, management, and executives. DSS analysis helps companies to identify and solve problems, and make decisions.

Executive Support System (ESS)

An Executive Support System (ESS) is software that allows users to transform enterprise data into quickly accessible and executive-level reports, such as those used by billing, accounting and staffing departments. An ESS enhances decision making for executives.

Management Information System (MIS)

A Management Information System (MIS) is a broadly used and applied term for a three-resource system required for effective organization management. The resources are people, information and technology, from inside and outside an organization, with top priority given to “people.” The “System” is a collection of information management methods involving computer automation (software and hardware) or otherwise supporting and improving the quality and efficiency of business operations and human decision making.

Office Automation System (OAS)

An Office Automation System (OAS) is an application of information technology to the typical clerical and secretarial tasks such as communication, correspondence, documenting, and filing.

An organization uses information systems to provide products or services that are difficult to duplicate or that are used to serve highly specialized markets. This prevents the entry of competitors as they find the cost for start newly a similar strategy very high.

In this 21^st century, ICT is a main thing and very useful thing for our daily life. It helps us in many ways. Mainly It’s helps us in Education, Banking, and Business. In education we are using computers to learn and create presentations. Not only that, we are using it for do our assignments also. In banking we can see that, we are using teller machines to get money from bank, we are using debit and credit cards, and also we are using E-Banking. In business we are using telephones mostly, emails, laptops, multimedia communication, and also e-business. These are the gifts of ICT for people. All these facilities are for people. It makes our life easy than before. So ICT is taking a great and main part in our life.

Overall I got more ideas about information systems and what are the uses of information systems. I hope to use all these information in future. I hope that it'll help for my success.