INTRODUCTION

ICTs involve much more than just access to information or the technology of the computer,
implied by conventional discussion of the information ‘haves’ and ‘have-nots.’ ICTs shape an
individual's, household's, firm's, or nation's access to information, people, services, and
technology
W.H. Dutton, in International Encyclopedia of the Social & Behavioral Sciences, 2001

Information Technology (IT) refers to the use of technology to manage, process, store, and
transmit information

Impact Of The Internet

The Economic Potential of the Internet Revolution

The Internet has the potential to increase productivity growth in a variety of distinct, but
mutually reinforcing ways, including:

● Significantly reducing the cost of many transactions necessary to produce and distribute
goods and services;

● Increasing management efficiency, especially by enabling firms to manage their supply

chains more effectively and communicate more easily both within the firm and with
customers and partners;

● Increasing competition, making prices more transparent, and broadening markets for
buyers and sellers;
● Increasing the effectiveness of marketing and pricing;
● Increasing consumer choice, convenience and satisfaction in a variety of ways.

Cheaper transaction

The most important attribute of the Internet also may be the most obvious: it can transmit
information quickly, conveniently, and inexpensively. Routine transactions, including making
payments, processing and transmitting financial information, and maintaining records, can be
handled less expensively with web-based technology. Using Internet technology, many firms,
especially those in data-intensive industries such as financial services and medical care, can
reduce their cost of production.
Computer software

Software is so much more than your desktop at work. Software is apps. Software is data.
Software is cloud computing. It creates breakthroughs and drives growth in nearly every
industry. Software empowers countless people and American businesses, and improves our lives
each day in ways big and small. Along with all this progress comes the dramatic, positive impact
software is making on our national economy each year. The Economic Impact of Software, a
first-of-its-kind study from BSA | The Software Alliance conducted in 2016 by The Economist
Intelligence Unit (EIU), captures the breadth of the software industry in the US and the sweeping
economic impact it is making at state and national levels.*

Data is driven by software.

Data’s transformative impact is being driven by software innovations that enable everything
from smarter cities and better weather predictions, to life-saving health breakthroughs and
improved crop yields. Already, 90 percent of business leaders cite data innovation as one of the
key resources and a key differentiator for businesses on par with basic resources like land, labor,
and capital.

NEW TECHNOLOGIES OF INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION

TECHNOLOGY

Wireless Networks

Advantages Of Wireless Networking

● Increased efficiency
● Improved data communications lead to faster transfer of information within businesses
and between partners and customers. For example, salespeople can remotely check stock
levels and prices while on sales calls.
● Access and availability; Because wireless technology allows the user to communicate
while on the move, you are rarely out of touch - you don't need extra cables or adaptors to
access office networks.
● Flexibility; Office-based wireless workers can network without sitting at dedicated
computers and can continue to do productive work while away from the office. This can
lead to new styles of working, such as home working or direct access to corporate data
while on customer sites. See more on employees working from home.
 ● Cost savings; Wireless networks can be easier and cheaper to install, especially in listed
buildings or where the landlord will not permit the installation of cables.
● New opportunities; Wireless networking could allow you to offer new products or
services. For example, many airport departure lounges, train stations, hotels, cafes and
restaurants have installed 'hot spot' WiFi services to allow mobile users to connect their
equipment to their 'home' offices while travelling

Middleware

Middleware is software that different applications use to communicate with each other. It
provides functionality to connect applications intelligently and efficiently so that you can
innovate faster. Middleware acts as a bridge between diverse technologies, tools, and databases
so that you can integrate them seamlessly into a single system. The single system then provides a
unified service to its users. For example, a Windows frontend application sends and receives data
from a Linux backend server, but the application users are unaware of the difference.

Importance of Middleware

Middleware started as a bridge between new applications and legacy systems before it gained
popularity in the 1980s. Developers initially used it to integrate new programs with earlier
systems without rewriting the earlier code. Middleware has become an important communication
and data management tool in distributed systems.

Developers use middleware to support application development and simplify design processes.
This leaves them free to focus on business logic and features instead of connectivity between
different software components. Without middleware, developers would have to build a data
exchange module for each software component that connects to the application. This is
challenging because modern applications consist of multiple microservices or small software
components that talk to each other.