Discuss about the Information Technology for Business.
The report seeks to research the impact of IT on businesses and its developing integration into business activities.
A recent study on IT uses shows that majority of media houses in Australia have adopted the concept of IT in their operations.
Questionnaires were administered to 25 employees of SCA on 20th April 2016. Ten executive members of the media house were also interviewed to obtain more in-depth views. References were also made to articles and books.
IT refers to the use of any storage, computers, networking and other physical devices and processes to produce, process, store, secure and exchange different types of electronic data (George, 2015, p. 8). The company requires the use of IT because most of its business activities include television and radio broadcasting, uploading and dissemination of digital information and media related operation such as advertising. Such activities actively depend on IT for their adequate and efficient execution. It is also a common understanding and practice for all media houses to use IT in conducting their respective business agendas.
Today, IT is central to the success of most businesses across the world from marketing to security. Therefore, the following reasons explain why it is critical for businesses to not only survive but to thrive.
It simplifies communication: for instance, IT is an essential component for effective internal and external communications. Internal communication mainly happens within a business or various parts of the marketing. The integration of IT in this form of communication facilitates implicit coexistence of the different departments of a particular business. It ensures that staff members keep up with the technology used for internal newsletters, email or company-wide digital project platforms. On the other hand, external communication entails a firm’s communication with clients, potential clients, investors and the general public. The adoption of IT assists employees primarily IT professional to keep up with social media, online newsletter and other platforms about external communication for its survival.
It promotes marketing and business growth: most companies have opted for a digital marketing plan by conducting much of their purchasing in a digital manner. However, digital marketing needs technology support teams to execute and troubleshoot different types of software used by a given business. It involves concepts such as blogging, search engine optimization (SEO), social media targeting and website development which allows companies to plan, adopt and develop. The IT also assists in simplifying and opportunities by use of software designed to keep metrics of marketing over time.
It enhances decision making: IT helps in streamlining and strengthening decision-making process within a business through different ways aimed at keeping track of marketing conditions, financial resources, and customer satisfaction. Therefore, by having a good IT plan, businesses can easily access such data thus making it possible for companies to assess the most viable steps they should take for the purpose of making the necessary improvements and attain set goals. Digital data collection also eradicates some of the fact-checking businesses ought to conduct to prevent common human error. It enables decision makers to respond swiftly and confidently thus making the business grow tremendously over time.
It enhances the research capacity of business: a business that bears the technological capacity to explore new opportunities will always stay a step or more ahead of its rivals. For any business to survive, there is the need to grow and acquire new opportunities. The IT coupled with the internet makes it possible for companies to virtually travel to new markets thus helping in alleviating various uncertainties. For instance, the risks of establishing a factory overseas or the cost of an executive jet by providing an alternative.
It improves on business security: in the modern era, the majority of companies are subject to vandalism and safety threats. However, with the use of IT, organizations can protect private executive decisions, financial data and other proprietary statistics which yield competitive advantages. IT helps businesses to retain their ideas away from their competitors in a given industry. For instance, they can ensure that none of their forthcoming projects will be duplicated by their rivals by securing the accessibility of their computers with passwords hence being able to thrive.
Cost-benefit analysis: it helps to ascertain the viability of acquiring new technologies. The cost of purchasing, installation, operating and monitoring and benefits associated with IT should be clearly shown to ensure an efficient and advantageous integration of IT into the company’s activities.
Planning: it provides an organization’s management with the information it requires to make sound decisions concerning the allocation of resources in a manner that will ensure the business achieve its objectives. The company needs to formulate a feasible framework that will facilitate the efficient and successful integration of the different IT aspects into its operations. For instance, it is necessary for the company to priories the acquisition of IT equipment based on their value. The stations and space for such equipment should be adequate before their purchase and installation. They include satellites and boosters among others. A team of IT experts should also be put on standby always.
Designing: there is the need to structure the IT equipment and concepts in such a manner that they will fit into the company’s systems. The IT should be designed to meet the needs of its customers in the markets.
Equipment acquisition: it is also essential for the company to get the IT related equipment such as staff printers, computers, satellites, cameras and tablets among others to make the use of IT a practical idea through the firm’s operations.
Installation: it should install the acquired equipment such as satellites and boosters. The IT professionals are charged with the installing responsibility because the majority of these apparatus require careful handling to facilitate their proper functioning. For instance, setting up of satellites will enhance the sending of signals to their respective customers’ set of digital decoders or stereo hence making their services accessible to a larger number of people through IT.
Training: the staff needs to get some form of training on the proper use of IT related equipment. Equipping the workers with the necessary skills will help to maximize the utility of the purchased machines. For instance, camera personnel is shown how to capture the most captivating images and videos through training.
Internal communication occurs between employees within a business. SCA uses IT to coordinate its activities with the workers. For example, the firm uses the internal newsletter, company-wide digital project platforms, and emails. Such activities are commonly carried out by the SCA’s IT experts who in the case of any form of breakdown intervene by conducting repairs. On the other hand, SCA uses IT externally in various ways to reach out to their customers. For instance, the company has incorporated some IT features to its digital radio platforms making it a new way of listening to radio in the country. Some of the listener benefits include digital sound quality, improved reception, improved choice with new stations and niche formats, on-screen information, no subscription fee and the ability to pause and rewind on some devices. Through the adoption of IT by the firm, customers can now access its digital radio stations and listen to them via station websites and apps. It has also developed a RadioApp that is downloadable from its website; www.radioapp.com.au. The company has created an online platform that uses IT to enhance the delivery of its services to the large customer base. For example, through the firm’s websites, that is, www.southerncrossaustrereo.com.au. It communicates to its clients regarding their products and services. On advertising, SCA engages with its audience through a multitude of channels such as metro and regional radio, localized television and digital thus covering close to 40% of all Australians.
Electronic storage and protection of information
The IT has created an electronic storage system aimed at protecting SCA’s valuable records. Various storage systems like virtual vaults keep data secure by granting access only to particular users within the company who may add, withdraw or change its documents. The use of IT has assisted the firm to protect the electronic information from being wiped out or hacked during a technological hiccup through IT security engineering systems.
The company’s efficiency has improved over time by developing automated processes which have taken the workload off the employees allowing them free time to attend to other things while the computer creates queries, runs their reports, monitors financials and tracks projects among other activities.
They arise from disruptions due to human-made or natural disasters. For example, the security of uploaded information may be compromised through hacking (Tobias, 2013, p. 17). By using IT, SCA risks having its essential and crucial data breached by anonymous users who may access its database using computers. There is also the uncertainty of loss or corruption of data caused by malware on computers.
Methods of maintaining and monitoring the SCA’s IT
Asset reporting: it provides 24/7 monitoring of hardware and systems assets by giving detailed reports on devices and software on networks.
Security IT monitoring: it would secure the device by mitigating issues related to security before intruders can use any vulnerabilities.
Automated system IT monitoring: it will monitor the company’s network activity to ensure the hardware is functioning optimally.
Backup IT monitoring: it would monitor the backup systems daily and resolve any detected issues.
Conclusion
What the impact of IT use by media organizations is withstanding. For instance, SCA has continued to grow in the industry owing to the many IT benefits. It has facilitated the epic development of the media industry in Australia.
George, R., 2015. Information Technology for Managers. S.l.: Cengage Learning.
Tobias, A., 2013. IT Security risk management: perceived IT security risks in the context of cloud computing. Wiesbaden: Springer Gabler.
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