Unit Content

1 Understand the impact of developments in information technology on organisations
Hardware: developments eg increasing power, increasing capacity and sophistication of computer platforms, increasing sophistication of communication technologies

Software: developments eg increased sophistication and integration of application software; specialised support software eg management information systems, decision support software, expert systems, security software; e-commerce

Reasons for upgrading systems: external pressures eg changing regulatory and legal frameworks, keeping up with competitors; enhanced business opportunities eg increasing globalisation, potential for outsourcing, improving customer service

Benefits: productivity gains; cost reductions; increased profitability; efficiency; improved management information; improved customer service; synergy and integration of systems

Impact: cost; impact on procedures; impact on staff eg upskilling/training, dealing with redundancies, balancing core employees with contractors and outsourced staff, enabling home and remote working, dealing  ith impact of regular restructuring on staff; integration of legacy systems; security; legal requirements eg data protection, copyright

2 Understand how organisations respond to information technology developments
Responses: adapting business processes eg sales and marketing strategies for global opportunities, purchasing strategies for automated ordering, customer support processes for online systems, financial systems for secure funds transfer, automating manufacturing processes; no response eg not cost effective, insufficient skills; other eg staff training, redundancies

Managing risk: cyber crime eg diverting financial assets, communications sabotage, intellectual property theft, denial of service attacks; preventive technologies eg firewalls, access control methods, secure payment  systems; disaster recovery

3 Be able to propose improvements to business systems using IT

IT developments: recent developments eg new applications, wireless technologies, operating systems, innovative software platforms; changing market leaders; future developments

IT improvements: developments eg integrated systems, databases, networks, communication technologies, web presence, management reports

Business systems: functions eg customer relationship management, supplier management, product development, service delivery, people management, stock control, finance

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