What is Information Technology?

Question

I am applying for Tennessee Governor's School for Informational Technology Leadership. I am more interested in the Business Leadership aspect, but for my application it is asking ways information technology has helped businesses operate more effectively and asks to give concrete examples.

If you could please give me a summary of what Information technology is, and some examples of the way it has helped I will derive my own answers.

Thanks in advance.

Answer 1

Information technology, as defined by the Information Technology Association of America (ITAA), is "the study, design, development, implementation, support or management of computer-based information systems, particularly software applications and computer hardware." Encompassing the computer and information systems industries, information technology is the capability to electronically input, process, store, output, transmit, and receive data and information, including text, graphics, sound, and video, as well as the ability to control machines of all kinds electronically.

Information technology is comprised of computers, networks, satellite communications, robotics, videotext, cable television, electronic mail ("e-mail"), electronic games, and automated office equipment. The information industry consists of all computer, communications, and electronics-related organizations, including hardware, software, and services. Completing tasks using information technology results in rapid processing and information mobility, as well as improved reliability and integrity of processed information.

There's more at the link.

Answer 2

I am an IT expert and have been working in the field for the past 15 years. Information technology (IT) is used to track and compile information and data so that a business or government agency can compile statistics and information for a given area of interest and make decisions based upon that information. For example the property appraiser will gather building permit and housing information to determine if local property taxe rates should go up or down next year based upon the new tax base (new building and new tax payers next year). A company may look at its current and past payroll to see if it need to increase income to cover the new or trending up/down costs in payroll. The list goes on and on... But I think you get the idea - Good luck; it is a fun business.....