Information Technology
Information technology is one of many tools managers use to cope with change.
Computer hardware is the physical equipment used for input, processing,
and output activities in an information system. It consists of the following:
computers of various sizes and shapes (including mobile handheld devices);
various input, output, and storage devices; and telecommunications devices
that link computers together.
Computer software consists of the detailed, preprogrammed instructions
that control and coordinate the computer hardware components in an information
system. Chapter 5 describes the contemporary software and hardware
platforms used by firms today in greater detail.
Data management technology consists of the software governing the
organization of data on physical storage media. More detail on data organization
and access methods can be found in Chapter 6.
Networking and telecommunications technology, consisting of both
physical devices and software, links the various pieces of hardware and transfers