1.1 What is 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. [1][1]
1.2 The Basic Components of an Information System
The 5 components that must come together in
order to produce a Computer-Based Information system and they are:
1. Hardware: The term hardware refers
to machinery. This category includes the computer itself, which is often
referred to as the central processing unit (CPU), and all of its support
equipment. Among the support equipment are input and output devices, storage
devices, and communications devices.
2. Software: The term software refers
to computer programs and the manuals (if any) that support them. Computer
programs are machine-readable instructions that direct the circuitry within the
hardware parts of the CBIS to function in ways that produce useful information
from data. Programs are generally stored on some input / output medium, often a
disk or tape.
3. Data: Data are facts that are used
by programs to produce useful information. Like programs, data are generally
stored in machine-readable form on disk or tape until the computer needs them.
[1] Wikipedia, information
technology, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Information_technology
4. Procedures: Procedures are the policies that govern the operation of a
computer system. "Procedures are to people what software is to
hardware" is a common analogy that is used to illustrate the role of
procedures in a CBIS.
5. People: Every CBIS needs people if
it is to be useful. Often the most over-looked element of the CBIS is the
people, probably the component that most influence the success or failure of
information systems. [1][1]
1.3 A brief overview of IT Services
in the Education Sector
Information Technology Services (ITS) ensures
that faculty, students, and staff have the information technology tools and
infrastructure necessary to carry out the University's mission. ITS provides
the infrastructure that enables members of the university family to make
maximum use of the appropriate information technology tools in their learning,
teaching, research, outreach, administration, and support activities, and the
cost-effective information technology resources required to support continuous
improvement in the University's ability to fulfill its diverse mission. ITS is
working to achieve five broad goals:
- · Help faculty improve the way education is delivered.
- · Provide students with resources to enrich their educational experience.
- · Create and sustain an environment that enables leading-edge research.
- · Help to improve productivity.
- · Establish the information technology infrastructure necessary to maintain Penn State's preeminence in integrating high-quality programs in teaching, research, and service. [1][2]
Services
are
· WiFi Internet Service
· Group Email Service
· VoIP telephony communication Service
· IntraNET Portal Service
· CMS based web 2.0 websites with Wiki, Blog, and Collaborative Platform etc
· Bulk SMS service
· Custom-made Open Source Utility Software
· eLearning Management Software
· Integrated Exam Management Software
· Human Resource Management & Salary Software
Establishing technology as a strategic resource for faculty, staff, and students is imperative for educational institutions to succeed in the 21st century. With an abundance of education technology solutions available—from eLearning and Enterprise Resource Planning to Student Information Systems,s Constituent Relationship Management (CRM)—the opportunities to improve efficiency and effectiveness are endless.