Chapter 1: Fields of IT

Applications of Information Technology (IT) in the fields of:

1. Education
2. Finance
3. Government
4. Health Care
5. Science
6. Publishing
7. Travel
8. Manufacturing

1. Field: Education

Click this link for more information on importance of IT in Education.
Click this link for the lecture notes of Chapter 1 - Introduction to IT.

 

 These days, educators use computers to assist education. Many schools, colleges and universities equip labs and classrooms with computers.

Usage:

• Teachers and lecturers use IT to do research for teaching materials, participate in online forums and online references, and use software to prepare lecture notes. Furthermore, they use Liquid-Crystal Display (LCD) Projector in classrooms or lecture halls to assist their teachings during classes or lectures.
• Students use IT as reference tools for finding information related to their studies or general knowledge on the Internet.
• School Administrators use IT to keep students' and teachers' records.

 LCD Projector in lecture hall.

Example of applications:

• Courseware

Computer programs or other materials designed for use in an educational or training course.

• Educational Portal (e-Portal) and Web-based Learning

A method of learning in which students choose their materials and use them to study on their own. The learning process is via Internet, for instance, online tuition such as Classruum.com. Students are able to access studying materials anytime and anywhere.

• Learning Management System

A software application for the administration, documentation, tracking, reporting, and delivery of electronic educational technology, educational courses or training programs.

 2. Field: Finance

Many people and companies use computers to help manage their finances.

Usage:

 

Companies use IT ( finance software) to balance checkbooks, pay bills, track personal income and expenses, manage investment, and evaluate financial plans.

 

žExample of applications:

• Online banking

  An electronic payment system that enables customers of a bank to conduct financial transactions (access account balances, pay bills and copy monthly transactions) on a website operated by the bank. Examples are Maybank2u, CIMBClicks, iRakyat, myBSN and Amonline.

• Finance Investment System / Online Investing

  A system that allows investors to buy and sell stocks and bonds online, with or without using a broker. For instance, Permodalan Nasional Berhad (PNB) and Bursa Malaysia.

• Electronic Payment System (EPS)

  Electronic Payment System is a financial exchange that takes place online between buyers and sellers, i.e. a means of making payments over an electronic network such as the Internet. Examples are Malaysian EPS (MEPS) and Western Union.

3. Field: Government

žMost government offices have their own Web sites to provide society with up-to-date information and services. 

žUsage:

• To provide citizens with up-to-date information through the government Web sites
• Helps to enhance the convenience, accessibility, and quality of interactions between the government and the citizens.
• Employees of government agencies use IT as part of their daily routine

Example of applications:

• myGovernment

• e-Filing

Online system for declaring tax.

• e-Penyata Gaji & Laporan 

An online system that allows government staffs to view and print monthly pay slip.

• HRMIS – Aplikasi Sistem Maklumat Pengurusan Sumber Manusia

• Portal Jabatan Perkhidmatan Awam

• e-SPKB – Sistem Perancangan Kawalan Belanjawan Elektronik

• e-Perolehan – The Electronic Procurement System

4. Field: Health Care

Nearly every area of health care today uses computers for various purposes:

ž
žUsage:
•Hospitals and doctors use IT to maintain and access patient records, store personal health history including prescriptions, lab test result, doctor visit allergies and immunizations

•Doctors use e-mail to correspond with patients.

žExample of applications:

•Telemedicine
Health-care professionals in separate locations conduct live conferences on the computer regarding their patients. For example, a doctor at one location can have a conference with a doctor at another location to discuss a bone X-ray. Live images of each doctor, along with the X-ray, are displayed on each doctor’s computer.

   

•Telesurgery

  Surgery in which a surgeon performs an operation on a patient who is not located in the same physical room as the surgeon by directing the robots to perform operations via computers.

For more information on telesurgery, click here.

•Medline

Many Web sites provide up-to-date medical, fitness, nutrition, or exercise information.

•Counter Registration System

5. Field: Science

Breakthroughs in surgery, medicine, and treatments often result from scientists’ use of computers.

žUsage: 

 •Scientists use computers to assist them with collecting, analyzing, and modeling data.

•Scientists also use the Internet to communicate with colleagues around the world

ž

žExample of applications: 

•A cochlear implant

  It is a embedded chip that allows a deaf person to listen.

•An electrodes implant

  Electrodes implanted in the brain stop tremors associated with Parkinson’s disease.

•A neural network

  A system that attempts to imitate the behavior of the human brain.

 6. Field: Publishing

 

•The process of making works available to the public. These works include books, magazines, newspapers, music, film, and video.

ž•Many publishers make their works available online and some Web sites allow you to copy the work, such as a book or music.

žExample of applications:

•Special software assists graphic designers in developing pages that include text, graphics, and photos.

Examples are: Online magazines, online newspaper, Online Photo Printing, Online Card Printing.

•Artists in composing and enhancing songs. 

 Examples are: Apple GarageBand, DUBturbo, Sonic Producer, Sound Forge.

•Filmmakers in creating and editing film.

Examples are iMovie and Adobe Premiere.

7. Field: Travel

•Vehicles manufactured today often include some type of onboard navigation system to help you navigate from one location to another.

ž•Many mobile devices such as smart phones have built-in navigation systems.
ž

 Example of applications: 

•Car Navigation System by Global Positioning System (GPS)

GPS System – is a radio navigation system that allows land, sea, and airborne users to determine their exact location, velocity, and time of their destination.

•Automatic roaming by Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM)

Telecommunication companies provides automatic roaming for travelers to travel abroad. 

•Online Intelligence Transportation IS (ITIS) 

The application of advanced information and communications technology to surface transportation in order to achieve enhanced safety and mobility while reducing the environmental impact of transportation. •Online reservation Transportation and accommodation reservation can be done through a Web site. Example: Online Flight Booking, Online Hotel Booking, Online Car Reservation.

8. Field: Manufacturing
Latest technology have helped in making manufacturing process more effective.

Usage:

•Reduce product development costs

•Shorten a product’s time to market, and

•Stay ahead of the competition.

Example of applications:

•Computer-aided manufacturing (CAM).

•Computer-aided design (CAD).

•A Bar Code System.