IT applications

In technologically developed nations, Information Technology has become a

part of everyday life. For a user, computer is a tool that provides the desired
information, whenever needed. The use of computer and Information
Technology can be observed at home, workplace, in the modern service
industry and in all aspects of our life. It includes listening to music, watching
movies, playing games, doing office work, chatting and sending messages,
managing daily planner, reading books, paying utility bills, booking ticket to
travel, bank operations, etc. Computers and ICT is used in industries, in
offices, and in house also. The various application areas are business, banking,
insurance, education, marketing, health care, engineering design, military,
communication, animation, research, agriculture and government.
IT in home computing
A personal computer (PC) is used to work at home, to do household accounts,
play games, surf the web, use
Fig. 1.1: IT applications
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6 DOMESTIC DATA ENTRY OPERATOR – CLASS IX
e-mail, create music, and pursue a range of other hobbies. PC is also used to
play games. It includes action games, role playing games, puzzles and many
more. A PC with a CD-ROM drive, sound card, and speakers can play audio
CD. A computer can be used from home to study a wide range of online
training courses. Computers and digital devices are now used for online
shopping and e-commerce.
IT in everyday life
In our daily life, we use washing machines, microwave oven and many other
products using which have embedded software. We can store all the
information about our important work, appointments schedules and list of
contacts in a computer. Computer is, therefore, playing a very important role in
our lives and now we cannot imagine the world without computers.
IT in library
Nowadays many libraries are computerised. Each book has a barcode
associated with it. This makes it easier for the library to a keep track of books
and the availability of a specific book.
Computer software is used to issue and return the book. Each book in the
library has a magnetic strip attached to it that is deactivated before the book
can be borrowed.
IT at workplace
In the office environment, computers and computer applications are used to
perform office work more effectively.
Fig. 1.3: IT in everyday life
Fig. 1.5: IT in library
Fig. 1.2: IT in home computing
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INTRODUCTION TO IT–ITES INDUSTRY 7
In assembly-line industries, where attention to detail, speed and efficiency are
important, automation is becoming more and more common. Internet and
Office applications form the basis of modern business.
IT in education
Computers and Information Technology are extensively used in education for
teaching-learning and assessment.
The software and hardware technology is used for creation and transmission of
information in various forms including still pictures, audio, video and
animation to the learners. The learning becomes easy and accessible through
IT. A lot of teaching resources are available for teachers to teach in a better
way. Online assessment helps to assess the students without any biasness.
The students, teachers and educational administrators and every stakeholder
in the education sector has benefitted with the integration of IT in education.
(a) ICT in the classroom There are many ways in which the ICT is used for
education in the classroom, such as • e-learning classrooms; • smart-board
presentations; • videos on experiments; • creation of images and video; •
desktop publishing of magazines, letters and documents; • educational games;
• learning using the CD-ROM media; and • gathering educational information
on the Internet. (b) Education — anywhere anytime Any student in India can
access the NCERT book online through the website www.epathshala.nic.in or
mobile app.
Fig. 1.6: IT in education
Fig. 1.4: IT at workplace
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8 DOMESTIC DATA ENTRY OPERATOR – CLASS IX
Apart from this there are a variety of websites and mobile apps to access
educational resources on any topic.
You can also contact a teacher or a trainer via Internet to use WBT (Web-based
Training). In this way education has reached the far flung areas by reaching
the unreached. (c) Teaching aids and media ICT is used mostly as a teaching
aid in schools to • use pictures, animations and audio-visuals to explain
subjects that are difficult to explain. • make the lessons interesting using
presentations. • organise lessons using the computer. • obtain the information
relevant to the subjects. (d) Learning Management System (LMS) A Learning
Management System (LMS) is being used by many countries to manage school
systems. A student or teacher can register himself/herself on the official
website to access LMS and can get many services from LMS. The student can
be benefited by using LMS, as it can be used to • learn lessons anytime and
anywhere. • submit queries, getting replies and submit comments through
forums. • participate in the co-curricular activities via video. • monitor the
progress of their children (by parents).
IT in entertainment
Information Technology has had a major impact on the entertainment industry.
Internet is a major source of entertainment.
One can download and view movies, play games, chat, use multimedia,
incorporate visual and sound effects using computers, etc. Digital broadcasting
has changed the way we experience television, with more interactive
programming and participation.
Fig 1.7: IT in entertainment
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INTRODUCTION TO IT–ITES INDUSTRY 9
IT in communication
Communication is used to convey messages and ideas, pictures, or speeches. A
person who receives this must understand clearly and correctly.
Modern communication makes use of the computer system. We use computers
for email, chatting, FTP, telnet and video conferencing.
IT in business
Computers are used in business organisations for payroll calculation,
budgeting, sales analysis, financial forecasting, managing and maintaining
stocks. A lot of business transactions happen through Internet called e-
commerce.
IT facilitates marketing, customer visit, product browsing, shopping basket
checkout, tax and shopping, receipt and process order. E-commerce offers
services pertaining to processing inventory management, transactions,
documentation, presentations, and gathering product information. Smart
cards, such as credit cards and debit cards are used in shops. These cards
have a metallic strip on which the user’s Personal Identification Number (PIN),
and account number is stored and can be read when it is passed through a
special reader. Airlines use large-scale computer applications for their
reservations system, both in the airports and in central reservations call-
centers. Other businesses that have large-scale computing requirements are
insurance claims systems and online banking, which both have large numbers
of users and operators interacting across one system.
IT in science and engineering
Scientists and engineers use computers for performing complex scientific
calculations, Computer Aided Design (CAD) or Computer Aided Manufacturing
(CAM) applications are used for drawing, designing and for simulating and
testing the designs. Computers are used for storing large amount of data,
performing complex calculations and for visualising
Fig. 1.8: IT in Communication
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10 DOMESTIC DATA ENTRY OPERATOR – CLASS IX
3-dimensional objects. Complex scientific applications like rocket launching,
space exploration, etc., are not possible without the computers.
IT in banking
Computer is an essential part of the modern banking system. Every activity of
a bank is now online. The customer’s data and transactions are recorded by
computers. Recurring deposits (e-RD), Fixed deposits (e-FD), money transfer
from one account to another (NEFT, RTGS), online transactions are done using
Internet. Capital market transactions, financial analysis and related services
are available in online platforms. Bank customers use Automated Teller
Machines (ATM) for cash deposits and withdrawal, or to view current balance.
IT in insurance
Insurance companies keep all records up to date with the help of computer
database. Procedures for continuation of policies, starting date, date of next
installment, maturity date, interest dues, survival benefits, and bonus are
declared by using computers in insurance companies. Many online policies are
also available which can be purchased by using the website of insurance
companies.
IT in marketing
In marketing, computers are used for advertising of products, by using arts
and graphics facility it is possible to create interesting advertisements of
various products so that the goal of selling can be achieved.
Using e-commerce websites, people can purchase items even sitting at home.
IT in health care
ICT is used in the health sector in numerous ways.
Hospital Management System is used to maintain and manage patients’
records as well as various activities pertaining to hospital administration. The
computerised
Fig. 1.9 (a) MRI machine Fig. 1.9 (b) Detailed images
NOTES
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INTRODUCTION TO IT–ITES INDUSTRY 11
3-dimensional objects. Complex scientific applications like rocket launching,
space exploration, etc., are not possible without the computers.
IT in banking
Computer is an essential part of the modern banking system. Every activity of
a bank is now online. The customer’s data and transactions are recorded by
computers. Recurring deposits (e-RD), Fixed deposits (e-FD), money transfer
from one account to another (NEFT, RTGS), online transactions are done using
Internet. Capital market transactions, financial analysis and related services
are available in online platforms. Bank customers use Automated Teller
Machines (ATM) for cash deposits and withdrawal, or to view current balance.
IT in insurance
Insurance companies keep all records up to date with the help of computer
database. Procedures for continuation of policies, starting date, date of next
installment, maturity date, interest dues, survival benefits, and bonus are
declared by using computers in insurance companies. Many online policies are
also available which can be purchased by using the website of insurance
companies.
IT in marketing
In marketing, computers are used for advertising of products, by using arts
and graphics facility it is possible to create interesting advertisements of
various products so that the goal of selling can be achieved.
Using e-commerce websites, people can purchase items even sitting at home.
IT in health care
ICT is used in the health sector in numerous ways.
Hospital Management System is used to maintain and manage patients’
records as well as various activities pertaining to hospital administration. The
computerised
Fig. 1.9 (a) MRI machine Fig. 1.9 (b) Detailed images
machines are used for ECG, EEG, Ultrasound and CT Scan. The variety of
measuring instruments and surgical equipment are used to monitor patients’
conditions during complex surgery. Expert system is used for diagnosis. Health
care manufacturing companies use computers to aid the production of
diagnostic tools and instruments. Computers are an integral part of
laboratories and dispensaries. They are used in scanning and diagnosing
different diseases. (a) Use of ICT in diagnosis With the advancements in
computer hardware and software technology, various high-tech machines are
used in the diagnosis and treatment of critical diseases.
Using expert system, diseases can be diagnosed at the early stages and the
patients can be given treatment accordingly. Some of these machines are: (i)
Computerised Axial Tomography Machine (CAT): Using this machine three-
dimensional (3D) images of different parts of the body can be made. These
images are helpful in the diagnosis of diseases. (ii) MRI (Magnetic Resonance
Imaging Machine): MRI machines are used to give the digital impression of
internal organs of the body by using strong magnetic fields and radio waves.
The digital images are very helpful in the detection and in deciding the
treatment of diseases.
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(iii) Electrocardiogram (ECG) Machine: The ECG machine is used to monitor
the heartbeat. When the heart pumps blood to different parts of the body some
electrical impulses are produced. This machine records the electrical impulses
and shows it in the form of a graph. (iv) C ardiac Screening Machine: Th is
machine displays the physiology of the heart and it displays the movements
inside the heart. Through this machine it is possible to diagnose problems of
the heart, such as thinning of veins and then recommend treatment. (v) EEG
(Electro - encephalography) Machine: This machine is used to record the
activities of the brain. The small electrical probes attached to the head receive
the electrical impulses of the brain and display them on a computer screen.
This device can retrieve the data in both states where a patient is awake or
asleep. (vi) Blood Sugar Testing Machine: This device analyses a sample of
blood and determines the blood glucose level. (vii) Blood Pressure Measuring
Machine: This device which is worn as a wrist band can measure the blood
pressure of a person at
Fig. 1.11: Cardiac Screening Machine and Display
Fig. 1.12: EEG Machine and Display
Fig. 1.14: Measuring Blood Pressure
Fig. 1.13: Sugar Testing Machine
Fig. 1.10 (a) ECG Machine Fig. 1.10 (b) ECG Graph
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INTRODUCTION TO IT–ITES INDUSTRY 13
Practical Exercise
(iii) Electrocardiogram (ECG) Machine: The ECG machine is used to monitor
the heartbeat. When the heart pumps blood to different parts of the body some
electrical impulses are produced. This machine records the electrical impulses
and shows it in the form of a graph. (iv) C ardiac Screening Machine: Th is
machine displays the physiology of the heart and it displays the movements
inside the heart. Through this machine it is possible to diagnose problems of
the heart, such as thinning of veins and then recommend treatment. (v) EEG
(Electro - encephalography) Machine: This machine is used to record the
activities of the brain. The small electrical probes attached to the head receive
the electrical impulses of the brain and display them on a computer screen.
This device can retrieve the data in both states where a patient is awake or
asleep. (vi) Blood Sugar Testing Machine: This device analyses a sample of
blood and determines the blood glucose level. (vii) Blood Pressure Measuring
Machine: This device which is worn as a wrist band can measure the blood
pressure of a person at
Fig. 1.11: Cardiac Screening Machine and Display
Fig. 1.12: EEG Machine and Display
Fig. 1.14: Measuring Blood Pressure
Fig. 1.13: Sugar Testing Machine
rest or when he/she is involved in some physical activity.
IT in the government and public service
The government uses large-scale computer applications in its daily operations
and is actively encouraging e-governance practices. Digital India and e-
governance initiative of Government of India are best examples of this.
Government and Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) as well as
International Government Agencies use ICT applications to communicate and
provide various services to the people and is called as e-governance. There are
various official web portals of the Government of India for e-governance. There
are various advantages of e-governance.
The Income tax department, sales tax department, preparations of voters list,
preparation of PAN card makes use of the computer system. Many government
services are available online. Electricity bills can now be paid online. The
government uses electronic voting for elections, by replacing the traditional
voting slip and ballot box. People can enroll themselves in the electoral roll
through the State Election Commission portal.
Computers are common-place in modern society, and tend to make previously
laborious manual tasks of data entry much simpler and quicker.
1. Explore the impact of IT and ITeS in various areas in day-to-day life. 2. Visit Indian
government websites, such as the official web portal of Department of School Education,
MHRD, Government of India. Make a list of all the valuable information and the services you
could obtain yourself. 3. Make a list of e-government services that are provided by other
countries. 4. Visit the various websites and list the areas where ICT is used. 5. Identify the
advantages of using ICT over conventional methods in various areas. 6. Observe other
instances where ICT is used in business