ICT

a. Define ICT ?

Information and Communications Technology (ICT) is an extended term for information technology (IT) which stresses the role of unified communications[1] and the integration of telecommunications (telephone lines and wireless signals), computers as well as necessary enterprise software, middleware, storage, and audio-visual systems, which enable users to access, store, transmit, and manipulate information.[2]

b. Describe ICT?

In early 1963 ICT was in negotiations to buy the computer business of Ferranti. In order to sweeten the deal Ferranti demonstrated to ICT the Ferranti-Packard 6000 (FP6000) machine, developed by its Canadian subsidiary Ferranti-Packard.

The FP6000 was an advanced design, notably including hardware support for multiprogramming. ICT considered using the FP6000 as their medium-sized processor in the 1965–1968 timeframe, replacing the ICT 1302. Another plan being considered was to license a new range of machines being developed by RCA, probably compatible with the expected IBM 8000.[1]

c. What are uses and functions of ICT?

• Government and governance- there was the belief that ICTs help to monitor crime in society.

• Education- among university academics, ICTs help them reach out to colleagues in other parts of the world and keep them up to date with developments in their disciplines.

• Economy- here was a high belief in ICT ability to increase the ease and speed of social communication and at the same time obviate the problem of transportation and can solve socio-economic problems.

• Employment- instantaneous availability of data for possible career opportunities through ICT.

• Industries- ICTs were generally seen as the basic tool for survival in the next century.

• Small business- ICTs were seen to enhance efficiency in the workplace.

d. What are the advantages of using ICT?

Processing of data is much faster on a computer.

Example : Calculating an annual budget on a spreadsheet is instantaneous, doing the calculations by hand would take some time.

Repetitive processing can be better done using computerised machinery.

Example : Humans get tired, lose concentration and generally fed up if they have to repeat the same task over and over again. Robotic machinery will perform the same task repeatedly with consistent quality and never need a break, or software programs can be written to process all the records in a database.

Searching for data is much faster.

Example : Finding a patient's record in a doctor's surgery can be done in seconds on a computerised database system, whereas it would take a receptionist some minutes to locate a folder in a paper filing system.

Data storage capacity is almost limitless in a computer system.

Example : Large quantities of data can be stored on hard discs or media such as CDs or DVDs instead of needing enormous quantities of paper and many large filing cabinets. Eg. In a national driving licence database.

Data communications are fast and accurate. Data transmitted over a network will arrive at its destination anywhere in the world in just a few seconds.

Example : A computer user can place an order for an item on an Internet website and it will be received immediately - posting an order in the mail would take a day or two to arrive.

Data can be output on a computer in a variety of different formats.

Example : Annual sales figures for a retail business can be printed as a spreadsheet, displayed as a graph, or as a multimedia presentation involving text, sound, graphics and animations.

e. How does it change the world?

• Mobile and digital technologies are expanding into society, business and private life, changing how we work

• New research from Ericsson Networked Society Lab shows that employers and employees focus more on value creation and end results rather than on where, when and by which methods the work is done

• Quest for meaning becomes more relevant to attract talented people

Working life is changing for millions of people around the world. Mobile and digital technologies are expanding into increasingly more areas of society, business and private life, changing the way we work and how work is organized. As people become more mobile they expect greater flexibility in their work, placing greater demand on their work environment.

In the report "Next-generation working life", Ericsson Networked Society Lab wanted to explore these changes and understand the most important trends. It will be crucial to understand and adapt to the changes taking place. But what are the main challenges that organizations need to address, and what are the benefits? How do you thrive in this new

game?

Mikael Eriksson Björling, Expert Consumer Behavior, ConsumerLab at Ericsson says: "Each historical era has its main source of value-creating activity. During the 'hunting and gathering' period, for instance, this involved finding food, making fire and creating clothing. Today, new behaviors and emerging technologies are changing how work is organized. We believe ICT will be a fundamental driver of this transformation and, for us as a company, it is important to see the opportunities and be a part of this transformation."