Information and communication technologies, What is ICT?,
Information Communication Technology.
Information and communication technologies (ICT)
Introduction:
What is ICT?, and why imported are the information technology?, communication technology, and what is computer technology, how to learn communication technlogy, how to the improve information technology, ICT. By cutting down the rules of location and time
that existed a few years ago, a digital revolution was created, opening the way
for economic remaking, creativity, and global competitiveness.
They
are outcomes of IT and telecommunications combining.
Whose most representative element
is the computer, and more specifically the Internet?
But what do ICTs consist of?
Well, they are the set of
technologies that allow access, production, processing, treatment, storage,
transmission and communication of information presented in different codes (be
it text, sound, image, among others).
Information and communication
technologies have created —and are still creating— new forms of communication,
making it possible to improve their level (making them faster and of higher
quality); translating this inside a decline in costs as well as time in both
the workplace and in life itself, offering more comfort and increasing people's
quality of life.
Do you want to know everything
you need to know about them and what is their importance for companies? So, we
invite you to read this content until the end; in it you can learn, among other
key points, about:
• What
are information and communication technologies?
• Main
characteristics of ICT.
• Types
of information and communication technologies.
• Objective
of ICT in the labor field.
• Importance
of ICT for companies.
If do you want study more information for technology : below the click articles,
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What are information and
communication technologies?
The expression "ICT" or
"TICs" correspond to the acronym in Spanish for Information and
Communication Technologies, being in English "ICT" (Information and
Communications Technology).
There are multiple definitions of ICT, among which we highlight the explanations of various authors:
For Grails (2000), information and communication technologies are:
There are multiple definitions of ICT, among which we highlight the explanations of various authors:
For Grails (2000), information and communication technologies are:
A set of technological advances, made possible by information technology, telecommunications and audiovisual technologies, all of which provide tools for the treatment and dissemination of information and have various communication channels. The Internet is a strong factor in ICTs, leading to the creation of the so-called Information Society.
Thompson and Strickland (2004) define information and communication technologies as:
Such technologies, devices, gadgets, and electronic elements are able to alter information that helps any organization's development and financial success. It should be noted that in environments as complex as those that organizations must face today, only those who use all the means at their disposal, and learn to take advantage of market opportunities, always visualizing threats, will be able to achieve the goal of being successful.
For his part, Jesus Salinas (2008) states that:
ICTs are changing, following the rhythm of continuous scientific advances and within a framework of economic and cultural globalization, they contribute to making knowledge ephemeral and to the continuous emergence of new values, causing changes in our economic, social and cultural structures, and affecting almost all aspects of our lives: access to the job market, health, bureaucratic management, economic management, industrial and artistic design, leisure, communication, information, our way of perceiving reality and of thinking, the organization of companies and institutions, their methods and activities, the form of interpersonal communication, the quality of life, education.
Its great impact on all areas of our lives makes it increasingly difficult for us to act efficiently without them.
In other words, ICTs are the set of technologies developed to make communication more efficient, and facilitate the issuance, access and processing of information; all this through communicational and technological tools.
Main characteristics of ICT:
Julio Caber (1998) compiled, from
different authors, the most representative characteristics of information and
communication technologies. Being 10 in total:
1. Immateriality
Being, the information in multiple codes and forms, its raw material.
2. Interactivity
This is possibly the most
important characteristic of information and communication technologies. And, it
consists of allowing the exchange of information between the machine and the
user, adapting, depending on the interaction, the resources used to the needs
and particularities of the subject.
3. Interconnection
It refers to the possibility of
creating new technologies from the connection between them, that is, although
they are presented independently, they can be combined, thus expanding their
connections.
For example, telematics. This is the interconnection between communication technologies and information technology, and with this combination we obtain new resources such as email.
For example, telematics. This is the interconnection between communication technologies and information technology, and with this combination we obtain new resources such as email.
4. Instantaneity
Communication networks and their
integration with computing have enabled the use of services that promote the
transmission and communication of information, between physically remote
places, instantly.
5. Image and sound quality
Technological advances have made
it possible to raise the parameters of multimedia transmissions to be of high
quality, increasing the reliability of the information transmitted.
6. Digitization
The different types of
information it contains (sound, images, animations, text, among others) are
transmitted digitally, and must be represented in a single universal format.
6. Penetration in all sectors of society
The impact of information and
communication technologies extends to all sectors of society, that is, it is
reflected in the cultural, educational, economic, and industrial sectors, among
others.
7. Innovation
ICTs continue to be creative and
changing, providing better and faster information and communication transport.
9. Trend towards automation
The complexity itself leads to the existence of tools that allow
automatic management of information in various personal, professional and
social areas, giving way to improving productivity and reducing task execution
times.
10. Diversity
Its utility is very diverse, ranging from mere communication
between users to the transformation process to create new information. In other
words, they perform more than one function, thus serving various purposes.
Types of information and communication technologies
There are three types of ICT / information and communication
technologies, and they refer to different criteria according to the context of
use of the term. These are:
1. Networks
Networks are communication systems, which connect various
computers. These are basically made up of:
• Users;
• hardware;
• software;
Among its advantages is the exchange and sharing of
information, sharing of resources, greater effectiveness, and homogeneity in
applications. And they refer to:
Telephone networks
• Fixed
telephony: At present it is the least used method and the most basic, to have
an Internet connection it is necessary to use a modem.
• Broadband:
It is a superior method to fixed telephony, because it is faster.
• Mobile
telephony: It is the most used method, and allows a speed equal to the
broadband network. This method regularly undergoes alterations and improvements
than the previous ones.
Television networks
• Terrestrial
television: The transmission is done in the form of radio waves transmitted
through open space. It is the traditional method to transmit the broadcast
signal.
• Satellite
television: Retransmits a television signal emitted from a point on Earth, from
a communication satellite.
• Cable
television: The one in which radio frequency signals are transmitted through
optical fibers or coaxial cables.
• Internet
television: The contents are translated into a format capable of being
transported over IP networks.
Home networks
These networks can be implemented through Ethernet cables or
wirelessly. It is the most common because of the comfort it provides to users.
2. Terminals and equipment
They are the access points that people have to global
information. These are the elements that have evolved the most and are
constantly evolving.
They cover all the devices through which information and
communication networks operate, and are connected to the network. Some of these
devices are:
• Computer;
• operating
systems for computers;
• televisions;
• Internet
navigator;
• smartphones;
• video
game consoles;
• tablets;
• Audio
and video devices; among others.
3. Services
It refers to the wide spectrum of services offered by
networks and terminals and equipment. Among which stand out:
• email;
• long distance education;
• online games;
• blogging;
• electronic commerce;
• information search;
• electronic administration;
• online banking;
• cloud storage;
• Entertainment services; among others.
Objectives of information and communication technologies in the labor field
The objectives of these technologies are based on their ability to facilitate tasks, share information and improve communication. And, these objectives are:
• Automate all kinds of processes: Whether it is task monitoring, communication, information recording, among others.
• Centralize information management: Centralize and unify all the data from each of the departments and areas of the company.
• Increase staff productivity: Providing employees with the appropriate tools and resources will speed up the execution of activities.
• Expand the organization's capabilities: Through the correct use of these technologies.
• Reduce the margins of human error: Due to the use of the certainty, objectivity and precision levels of information and communication technologies.
These objectives can be met with different degrees of complexity and regardless of the size of the company, and when they are met, the benefits achieved by the companies are evident.
Importance of ICT for companies
Due to its characteristics and objectives in the labor field,
information and communication technologies become essential in today's society,
and of course for organizations.
Mainly because ICTs help companies to adapt to the dynamic and changing environment in which we live, and of course it also gives them a competitive advantage.
Mainly because ICTs help companies to adapt to the dynamic and changing environment in which we live, and of course it also gives them a competitive advantage.
Despite this, some companies —mainly SMEs— are reluctant to incorporate these resources, and this is because they do not really know the great advantages it has for organizations.
And, to prevent this misinformation from continuing to happen, here are 11 benefits of information and communication technologies that they provide to companies:
1. Facilitates decision making
Information and communication technologies facilitate access
and analysis of information, so with them decision-making is not only easier
but also ensures that companies make the right decisions.
This is because using resources such as business management
software and/or social networks allows you to know key information —very
difficult to obtain through non-technological means—. Data that helps companies
to know the opinion of their customers, market trends, among others.
2. Simplify management processes
It considerably saves time in carrying out tasks and simplifies
many processes.
Actions such as accounting management, planning, business control, temporary organization and monitoring are much faster and more efficient activities when the appropriate technological tools are used.
Actions such as accounting management, planning, business control, temporary organization and monitoring are much faster and more efficient activities when the appropriate technological tools are used.
3. Improves both internal and external communication
Technological resources such as the mobile phone, social
networks, email, among others, are key current instruments for effective
company communication.
This is because its use not only improves communication with a company's collaborators, but also allows it to be in contact with its clients, partners, suppliers, collaborators and investors.
This is because its use not only improves communication with a company's collaborators, but also allows it to be in contact with its clients, partners, suppliers, collaborators and investors.
4. Promotes customer satisfaction
Thanks to information and communication technologies, it is
easier and more efficient to obtain key information about customers. ICTs allow
us to:
• know their
buying habits;
• know your
needs or desires;
• discover
your tastes;
• design key
strategies;
• know their
opinions regarding the brand;
• improve
communication with customers;
• improve
the image of the company;
• Increase
engagement; among others.
5. Improve marketing strategies
Information and communication technologies have allowed the
emergence of digital marketing, which, currently, is key to the promotion of
any company.
Mainly because it allows:
• increase
the number of sales;
• capture
potential customers;
• retain
current customers ;
• improve
brand recognition;
• improve
the company's reputation;
• position
the brand;
• correctly
segment the target audience;
• Minimize
costs compared to traditional marketing; among others.
6. Improves the image of companies
Adopting the use of ICT gives companies a current and
innovative image, since it allows them to have various means of communication
to get in touch with the company, such as a web page, blogs, among others.
This makes customers and potential buyers feel more confident and closer to the organization.
This makes customers and potential buyers feel more confident and closer to the organization.
7. Contributes to the expansion of companies
ICT resources such as the online store, the corporate
website, social networks, etc., are key tools to expand the business without
having to have physical stores elsewhere.
To do this, companies only need to be within platforms where potential customers who are far from their location can get them.
In addition, these technologies help organizations in the search for new markets and customers, which promotes their expansion.
To do this, companies only need to be within platforms where potential customers who are far from their location can get them.
In addition, these technologies help organizations in the search for new markets and customers, which promotes their expansion.
8. Globalization
In addition to the above, information and communication
technologies make it possible for companies to have a greater reach in the
global market, a market that has emerged thanks to these technologies.
Globalization allows any company to do business from and to any part of the world, and in real time. This, thanks to the technology that has promoted great tools that allow it (such as email, which has brought new dynamics to the globalization of companies).
Globalization allows any company to do business from and to any part of the world, and in real time. This, thanks to the technology that has promoted great tools that allow it (such as email, which has brought new dynamics to the globalization of companies).
In addition, the spread of information technology has made production networks cheaper and simpler.
On the other hand, global communications have allowed the exchange of information, collaboration and understanding between the company and the client.
9. Optimize the company's efforts
Technology is changing—and has changed—the way resources are
managed and how we work.
Regardless of the type of industry, business size, main activities, among others. ICTs provide opportunities to improve communication and optimize production. A lot so that, owing to technology equipment and electronic devices, SMEs can now compete with large companies in the effectiveness of operations.
- More
efficient operations
Information and communication technologies play a key role in
the generation of efficient processes, mainly because they:
• They deliver relevant information for the processes;
• errors and delays in the workflow due to lack of data or poor communication are reduced;
• they can help reduce and eliminate duplicate information;
• Allow the automation of various tasks.
Companies that use the proper technology can save time and money while increasing productivity and competitiveness.
10. Enhanced security
At present, technology allows the implementation of security
measures so that communication and communication information is not vulnerable
to theft and also prevents data loss.
On the other hand, they facilitate the storage of complex databases, both on local servers and in cloud services.
In general, ICTs have a great impact on companies, regardless of their size. That is why, today, both senior managers and any other member of the team must be familiar with information and communication technologies.
On the other hand, they facilitate the storage of complex databases, both on local servers and in cloud services.
In general, ICTs have a great impact on companies, regardless of their size. That is why, today, both senior managers and any other member of the team must be familiar with information and communication technologies.
And, in short, ICTs are essential for:
