Information Technology Overview

Information Technology – A Definition:

We use the term information technology or IT to refer to an entire industry. In actuality, information technology is the use of computers and software to manage information. In some companies, this is referred to as Management Information Services (or MIS) or simply as Information Services (or IS). The information technology department of a large company would be responsible for storing information, protecting information, processing the information, transmitting the information as necessary, and later retrieving information as necessary.

History of Information Technology:

In relative terms, it wasn't long ago that the Information Technology department might have consisted of a single Computer Operator, who might be storing data on magnetic tape, and then putting it in a box down in the basement somewhere. 

The history of Information Technology can be dated back to as early as 2600 BC when the Egyptians would write on the papyrus plant. It is also thought that religious leaders in Mesopotamia kept the first books at this time, which is now southern Iraq.

In more recent years the very first Apple MAC was released in 1984, IBM released the very first PC in 1981 and the then tiny company Microsoft produced Windows in 1981. How times have changed, now you can find out about these things and many more at IT History.net the history of Information Technology.

Modern Information Technology Departments:

In order to perform the complex functions required of information technology departments today, the modern Information Technology Department would use computers, servers,database management systems, andcryptography. The department would be made up of several System Administrators, Database Administrators and at least one Information Technology Manager. The group usually reports to the Chief Information Officer (CIO).