Knowledge Management

Based on the periodization of Western Mass Communication History by Irving Fang, we are exactly in the age of the sixth communication revolution called the Information Superhighway. In this age, computers and computer-based applications are at the centerstage of the economy and culture of countries the world over. As more and more companies and individuals get attuned to the trends and necessities of these times, information technology is seeping through the cracks of daily life and language. Being more than just a term or catch phrase, it has evolved into a specific field of study into the development and management of information systems for a precise purpose.

According to the Information Technology Association of America, information technology, also known as Information and Communications Technology or Infocomm, is the study, support, design, implementation, and development of computer-based information systems, such as computer hardware and software applications. Because it also refers to the field of electronic communication, it is sometimes called Information and Communications Technology.

To put it simply, information technology is what refers to the communications infrastructure of an organization including multimedia systems and telecommunication networks. Experts believe that this stemmed from the three main industrial sectors of the past decade. These are Information Technology, telecommunications, and the media, each becoming interconnected with the other. The need for access to information in real time, especially in burgeoning business and corporate environments, contributed to this growth.

Perhaps, it is the nature of Information Technology itself that have triggered its growth. Experts point to three characteristics that give it the primary role in any company or institution. These are facilitator, initiator, and enabler. It acts as a facilitator because it makes the job easier. It is an initiator because it is an agent of change. It is also an enabler because it allows you to accomplish things that would have been impossible if not for this technology. Looking at these three characteristics, we could see how and why Information Technology has become more than a byword in everyday corporate and individual life. It has actually become a way of life for some.

At present, information technology covers a wide area of study of the many aspects of computing and technology. This means that IT professionals are multi-taskers in that they do different duties from the installation of software to the conceptualization and design of complex computer networks and databases. Among their duties include, software design, management information systems, systems management, database system design, computer networking, and data management. In other words, information technology is the link between people and technology.

This makes an ideal IT professional equipped in the basics of computer science from its hardware to software components, databases, algorithms, programming, operating systems, and network administration. An IT professional is also expected to understand the techniques in computer design and editing existing computer software and systems and how to apply this knowledge into specific situations whether it is in a business or educational institution. It specialists, as what they are also called, are also familiar with concepts and applications in customizing and integrating systems to meet individual as well as institutional needs, designing networking systems, maintaining everyday operations, and preventing as well controlling security problems.

Knowledge Management |