Introduction

Aim and purpose
The aim of this unit is to enable learners to gain a knowledge and understanding how IT is used by organisations and the impact of IT has on organisations and individuals.

Unit introduction
The focus of this unit is on understanding the ways, reasons for and impacts of the use of IT within organisations. IT is used extensively by organisations and continues to spread into more and more diverse areas using increasingly powerful and innovative technology. This unit starts by giving learners the background to the use of IT in business. The unit encourages learners to consider how IT supports business functions and to understand why IT is used for those purposes. The introduction of IT into organisations has not only been used to automate existing systems and processes but in many cases has allowed and prompted fundamental changes to be made in the way organisations function. It is assumed that learners will have some knowledge of the capabilities of general applications software before undertaking this unit, although they do not have to have acquired the skills to use the packages. Learners will discover the positive and negative aspects of using IT for both employers and employees. The impact of the use of IT on individuals within organisations has progressively increased. In particular the life span of particular skills has decreased and this generates a need for constant re-skilling and adaptation. IT technologies are being developed all the time and the latest trends in IT development will be considered. IT has affected not only employers and employees but the whole business environment. In this unit learners will come to understand the issues of ergonomic design and health and safety that relate directly to IT, and ask questions such as are employees sitting comfortably, do they have enough space, do they need specialist equipment to overcome repetitive strain injuries?

Learning outcomes
On completion of this unit a learner should:

1 Know the ways in which organisations use IT

2 Understand the reasons why organisations use IT

3 Understand the impact of IT on individuals and organisations

4 Be able to plan a working environment to incorporate IT.