Information technology - Revision history

Td.software: Corrected some mistakes.

2011-02-23T16:44:37Z

Corrected some mistakes.

Td.software: Improved the definition. Added references. Added some content. Fixed some broken links.

2011-02-23T16:41:38Z

Improved the definition. Added references. Added some content. Fixed some broken links.

Centiare at 10:35, 2 November 2006

2006-11-02T10:35:22Z

New page

'''Information Technology''' ('''IT''')<ref name="Explanation">Information Technology is also known as '''Information and Communication(s) Technology''' ('''ICT''') and '''Infocomm''' in Asia.</ref> is concerned with the use of [[technology]] in [[information processing|managing and processing information]], especially in large organizations.

In particular, IT deals with the use of [[electronics|electronic]] [[computer]]s and [[computer software]] to convert, store, protect, process, [[Transmission (telecommunications)|transmit]], and retrieve information. For that reason, computer professionals are often called IT specialists or Business Process Consultants, and the division of a company or university that deals with software technology is often called the IT department. Other names for the latter are [[information systems|information service]]s (IS) or [[management information system|management information service]]s (MIS), [[managed service provider]]s (MSP).

In the [[United Kingdom]] education system, information technology was formally integrated into the school curriculum when the [[National Curriculum]] was devised. It was quickly realised that the work covered was useful in all subjects. With the arrival of the Internet and the broadband connections to all schools, the application of IT knowledge, skills and understanding in all subjects became a reality. This change in emphasis has resulted in a change of name from Information Technology to Information and Communication Technology (ICT). [[ICT (education)|ICT in Education]] can be understood as the application of digital equipment to all aspects of teaching and learning. It is present in almost all schools and is of growing influence.

The growth of use of Information and Communications Technology and its tools in the field of Education has seen tremendous growth in the recent past. Technology has entered the classroom in a big way to become part of the teaching and learning process.

== Industry organizations ==

The [http://www.witsa.org/ World Information Technology and Services Alliance (WITSA)] is a consortium of over 60 information technology (IT) industry associations from economies around the world. WITSA members represent over 90 percent of the world IT market. As the global voice of the IT industry, WITSA is dedicated to:

*advocating policies that advance the industry’s growth and development;
*facilitating international trade and investment in IT products and services;
*strengthening WITSA’s national industry associations through the sharing of knowledge,
*experience, and critical information;
*providing members with a vast network of contacts in nearly every geographic region of the world;
*hosting the World Congress on IT, the premier industry sponsored global IT event;
*hosting the Global Public Policy Conference; and
*hosting the Global Information Security Summit.

Founded in 1978 and originally known as the World Computing Services Industry Association, WITSA has increasingly assumed an active advocacy role in international public policy issues affecting the creation of a robust global information infrastructure, including:

* increasing competition through open markets and regulatory reform;
protecting intellectual property;
* encouraging cross-industry and government cooperation to enhance information security;
* bridging the education and skills gap reducing tariff and non-tariff trade barriers to IT goods and services; and
* safeguarding the viability and continued growth of the Internet and electronic commerce.

The '''[http://www.itaa.org/ Information Technology Association of America (ITAA)]is an [[industry trade group]] for several U.S. [[information technology]] companies.

Founded in 1961 as the Association of Data Processing Services Organizations (ADAPSO), the [http://www.itaa.org/ Information Technology Association of America (ITAA)]provides global public policy, business networking, and national leadership to promote the continued rapid growth of the IT industry. [[ITAA]] consists of approximately 325 corporate members throughout the U.S., and is secretariat of the [http://www.witsa.org/ World Information Technology and Services Alliance (WITSA).], a global network of 67 countries' IT associations. The Association plays a leading role in issues of IT industry concern including information security, taxes and finance policy, digital intellectual property protection, telecommunications competition, workforce and education, immigration, online privacy and consumer protection, government IT procurement, human resources and e-commerce policy. [[ITAA]] members range from the smallest IT start-ups to industry leaders in the Internet, software, IT services, digital content, systems integration, telecommunications, and enterprise solution fields.

[http://www.itaa.org/ ITAA] membership is open to any company with operations situated in the U.S. and offering commercial IT products and services. Companies eligible for full IT membership include firms with headquarters, division offices, or branch offices located in the U.S. as well as foreign firms with subsidiary operations in the U.S. In addition, [http://www.itaa.org/ITAA] offers affiliate membership to firms that sell business products and services to IT companies.

[[ITAA]] publishes a series of electronic newsletters. The [http://www.itaa.org/isec/pubs/ecurrent.cfm/ ITAA E-LETTER] covers the issues of the networked economy. These include coverage issues such as information and telecommunications public policy, as well as pertinent news about the businesses of electronic commerce, Internet service and enhanced telecommunications service providers. The [[ITAA]] E-LETTER is distributed exclusively by electronic mail and available for free [http://www.itaa.org/newsroom/register.cfm?EventID=179 available for free].

@@ Line 22: / Line 22: @@
 == Information Technology Learning References ==
 <ul>
-<li>[http://www.if4it.com/glossary.html/ Information Technology (IT) Glossary of Terms and Phrases]</li>
+<li>[http://www.if4it.com/glossary.html Information Technology (IT) Glossary of Terms and Phrases]</li>
-<li>[http://www.if4it.com/SYNTHESIZED/FRAMEWORKS/LEARNING/it_learning_framework.html/ Information Technology (IT) Learning Framework]</li>
+<li>[http://www.if4it.com/SYNTHESIZED/FRAMEWORKS/LEARNING/it_learning_framework.html Information Technology (IT) Learning Framework]</li>
-<li>[http://www.if4it.com/disciplines.html/ Master Inventory of Information Technology (IT) Disciplines]</li>
+<li>[http://www.if4it.com/disciplines.html Master Inventory of Information Technology (IT) Disciplines]</li>
 </ul>

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
-'''Information Technology''' ('''IT''')<ref name="Explanation">Information Technology is also known as '''Information and Communication(s) Technology''' ('''ICT''') and '''Infocomm''' in Asia.</ref> is concerned with the use of [[technology]] in [[information processing|managing and processing information]], especially in large organizations.
+== Definition of Information Technology ==
-In particular, IT deals with the use of [[electronics|electronic]] [[computer]]s and [[computer software]] to convert, store, protect, process, [[Transmission (telecommunications)|transmit]], and retrieve information. For that reason, computer professionals are often called IT specialists or Business Process Consultants, and the division of a company or university that deals with software technology is often called the IT department. Other names for the latter are [[information systems|information service]]s (IS) or [[management information system|management information service]]s (MIS), [[managed service provider]]s (MSP).
+According to the [http://www.if4it.com/ International Foundation for Information Technology, the definition of Information Technology] is threefold and can be represented as follows...
 In the [[United Kingdom]] education system, information technology was formally integrated into the school curriculum when the [[National Curriculum]] was devised. It was quickly realised that the work covered was useful in all subjects. With the arrival of the Internet and the broadband connections to all schools, the application of IT knowledge, skills and understanding in all subjects became a reality. This change in emphasis has resulted in a change of name from Information Technology to Information and Communication Technology (ICT). [[ICT (education)|ICT in Education]] can be understood as the application of digital equipment to all aspects of teaching and learning. It is present in almost all schools and is of growing influence.
-The growth of use of Information and Communications Technology and its tools in the field of Education has seen tremendous growth in the recent past. Technology has entered the classroom in a big way to become part of the teaching and learning process.
+In the United States, Information Technology is, both, used and taught at all levels of education.  However, specialization in "Information Technology" usually does not occur until it is formally selected by a student, at a college level, with the exception of classes focusing on things like programming, which may be offered earlier, depending on the school.
 == Industry organizations ==
 The [http://www.witsa.org/ World Information Technology and Services Alliance (WITSA)] is a consortium of over 60 information technology (IT) industry associations from economies around the world. WITSA members represent over 90 percent of the world IT market. As the global voice of the IT industry, WITSA is dedicated to: