Information technology

Information Technology (IT) is concerned with the use of technology in managing and processing information, especially in large organizations.

In particular, IT deals with the use of electronic computers and computer software to convert, store, protect, process, transmit, and retrieve information. For that reason, computer professionals are often called IT specialists or Business Process Consultants, and the division of a company or university that deals with software technology is often called the IT department. Other names for the latter are information services (IS) or management information services (MIS), managed service providers (MSP).

In the United Kingdom education system, information technology was formally integrated into the school curriculum when the National Curriculum was devised. It was quickly realised that the work covered was useful in all subjects. With the arrival of the Internet and the broadband connections to all schools, the application of IT knowledge, skills and understanding in all subjects became a reality. This change in emphasis has resulted in a change of name from Information Technology to Information and Communication Technology (ICT). ICT in Education can be understood as the application of digital equipment to all aspects of teaching and learning. It is present in almost all schools and is of growing influence.

The growth of use of Information and Communications Technology and its tools in the field of Education has seen tremendous growth in the recent past. Technology has entered the classroom in a big way to become part of the teaching and learning process.

Industry organizations

The World Information Technology and Services Alliance (WITSA) is a consortium of over 60 information technology (IT) industry associations from economies around the world. WITSA members represent over 90 percent of the world IT market. As the global voice of the IT industry, WITSA is dedicated to:

• advocating policies that advance the industry’s growth and development;
• facilitating international trade and investment in IT products and services;
• strengthening WITSA’s national industry associations through the sharing of knowledge,
• experience, and critical information;
• providing members with a vast network of contacts in nearly every geographic region of the world;
• hosting the World Congress on IT, the premier industry sponsored global IT event;
• hosting the Global Public Policy Conference; and
• hosting the Global Information Security Summit.

Founded in 1978 and originally known as the World Computing Services Industry Association, WITSA has increasingly assumed an active advocacy role in international public policy issues affecting the creation of a robust global information infrastructure, including:

• increasing competition through open markets and regulatory reform;

protecting intellectual property;

• encouraging cross-industry and government cooperation to enhance information security;
• bridging the education and skills gap reducing tariff and non-tariff trade barriers to IT goods and services; and
• safeguarding the viability and continued growth of the Internet and electronic commerce.

The Information Technology Association of America (ITAA)is an industry trade group for several U.S. information technology companies.

Founded in 1961 as the Association of Data Processing Services Organizations (ADAPSO), the Information Technology Association of America (ITAA)provides global public policy, business networking, and national leadership to promote the continued rapid growth of the IT industry. ITAA consists of approximately 325 corporate members throughout the U.S., and is secretariat of the World Information Technology and Services Alliance (WITSA)., a global network of 67 countries' IT associations. The Association plays a leading role in issues of IT industry concern including information security, taxes and finance policy, digital intellectual property protection, telecommunications competition, workforce and education, immigration, online privacy and consumer protection, government IT procurement, human resources and e-commerce policy. ITAA members range from the smallest IT start-ups to industry leaders in the Internet, software, IT services, digital content, systems integration, telecommunications, and enterprise solution fields.

ITAA membership is open to any company with operations situated in the U.S. and offering commercial IT products and services. Companies eligible for full IT membership include firms with headquarters, division offices, or branch offices located in the U.S. as well as foreign firms with subsidiary operations in the U.S. In addition, [1] offers affiliate membership to firms that sell business products and services to IT companies.

ITAA publishes a series of electronic newsletters. The ITAA E-LETTER covers the issues of the networked economy. These include coverage issues such as information and telecommunications public policy, as well as pertinent news about the businesses of electronic commerce, Internet service and enhanced telecommunications service providers. The ITAA E-LETTER is distributed exclusively by electronic mail and available for free available for free.