Unit 1: Information Technology Systems
Unit introduction
Information technology (IT) systems play a significant role in the world around us.They play a key part in almost everything we do. They give individuals and organisations opportunities to access goods, information and services from around the world to an
extent not possible before. Having a sound understanding of how to select and use
appropriate IT systems will benefit you personally and professionally.
You will explore the relationships between the hardware and software that form an
IT system. You will look at the way that systems work individually and together, as well as
the relationship between the user and the system. You will examine issues related to the
use of IT systems and the impact that they have on organisations and their stakeholders.
You will explore how IT systems enable organisations to access data, information and
users locally and globally.
This unit will give you a fundamental understanding of all areas of IT, supporting your
progression to an IT-related higher education course.
This unit also provides partial coverage to content from the Microsoft Azure Data
Fundamentals Certification.
To complete the set assignment in this unit, you will need to draw on, and apply,
your learning from across key content areas.
Assessment
This unit has a Pearson Set Assignment Brief. Learners must complete a Pearson Set
Assignment Brief.
Learning aims
In this unit you will:
Explore how IT infrastructure meets the needs of organisations and their stakeholders
B Understand how organisations make use of data and information
C Develop policies for the use of IT within an organisation.
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Learning Aim Key Content Areas Assessment Approach
A Explore how IT infrastructure meets the needs of organisations and their stakeholders A1 Purpose and functions of organisations
A2 Digital devices, their functions and use
A3 Peripheral devices and media
A4 Computer software in an IT system
A5 Connectivity
A6 Networks
A7 Issues relating to transmission of data
A8 Online systems
A9 Emerging technologies This unit is assessed through a Pearson Set Assignment.
B Understand how organisations make use of data and information B1 Data and information in an organisation
B2 Online communities
B3 Using and manipulating data Assessment through Pearson Set Assignment or other designated methods.
C Develop policies for the use of IT within an organisation C1 Threats to data, information and systems
C2 Protecting data
C3 Moral and ethical issues
C4 Legal issues
C5 Professional guidelines and codes of practice
C6 Managing information technology within organisations Assessment through Pearson Set Assignment or other designated methods.
Learning aim A: Explore how IT infrastructure meets the needs of organisations and their stakeholders
A1: Purpose and Functions of Organisations
Understanding IT Infrastructure Requirements
Apply an understanding of information technology (IT) to identify the infrastructure requirements of organisations in various sectors and vocational-based scenarios.
Key Functions and Infrastructure Needs
The purpose and differences between organisations that provide a service and/or a product.
Infrastructure requirements driven by the priorities of an organisation.
Identifying and defining the features and characteristics of infrastructure required for key tasks carried out by organisational functions:
Manufacturing of products
Delivering services
Supply chain management
Marketing and sales
Customer relations
Resource management
Staff recruitment
Staff management
Support and financial operations
A2: Digital Devices, Their Functions and Uses
Digital Devices in IT Systems
The features and uses of digital devices in IT systems that meet the needs of organisations and their stakeholders.
Types of Digital Devices
Personal computers (desktops and laptops)
Mobile devices, e.g., smartphones, tablets, wearable computers
Servers (physical, virtual)
Entertainment systems: televisions, projectors, DVD players, Blu-ray players, PVRs, STBs, media stations, sound systems
Digital cameras (still and video)
Navigation systems
Wearable computers, e.g., smartwatches, fitness trackers
Data capture systems: barcode scanners, RFID, sensors, weather stations
Communication devices and systems
Function and Use of Digital Devices
Education and training
Personal use
Social use
Retail use
Organisational use (business operations, internal and external dissemination of information)
Creative tasks
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A3: Peripheral Devices and Media
Peripheral Devices and Their Uses
The features and uses of peripheral devices and media in IT systems to meet the needs of individuals and organisations.
Types of Peripheral Devices
Input Devices:
Keyboard, touch screen, pointing devices (mouse, stylus, touchpad, graphics tablets)
Microphones, scanners (2D and 3D), cameras, sensors
Output Devices:
Screens, projectors, printers (2D and 3D), actuators, motors, accessibility devices
Storage Devices:
USB flash drives, memory cards, hard drives (internal and external), optical drives/discs, magnetic tape drives
Accessibility Devices:
Alternative keyboards, sip-and-puff systems, wands and sticks, braille embossers
Data Processing and Storage
Manual and automatic data processing.
Characteristics and implications of storage media used in IT systems, such as:
Magnetic storage
Solid-state storage
Optical storage
A4: Computer Software in an IT System
Concepts and Implications
The relationship between hardware and software in both large- and small-scale IT systems and their impact on organisations and stakeholders.
Types of Operating Systems
Real-time, embedded, and multi-user operating systems.
The role of the operating system in managing:
Networking
Security
Memory management
Multitasking
Device drivers
Factors Affecting User Interfaces
Graphical, command line, and menu-based interfaces:
Features and characteristics of different interfaces.
How and when they are used.
The effect of interfaces on users.
The impact on computer system features and performance.
Factors Affecting the Use and Performance of an Operating System
Factors: data processed, hardware specifications, and system compatibility.
Utility Software
Includes antivirus, backup, compression tools, disk analyzers, defragmenters, partitioners, encryption, file managers, firewalls, and network utilities.
The purpose, features, and uses.
Factors affecting the choice, use, and performance.
Application Software
Includes communication software, CAD, DBMS, digital graphics, ERP, entertainment, and office software.
The purpose, features, and uses.
Factors affecting choice, use, and performance.
Open Source vs Proprietary Software
The implications and principles of open source and proprietary operating systems and software.
File Types and Formats
Features of file types/formats for images, videos, audio, and application software:
Images: GIF, PNG, JPEG, RAW, SVG
Videos: MPEG, AVI
Audio: MP3, WAV
Application Software: DOC, RTF, XLS, XML, PDF
The implications of file types and formats on IT systems, organisations, and stakeholders.
A5: Connectivity
Concepts and Processes
The transfer of data within and between IT systems.
Methods of connecting devices:
Wired: Ethernet, USB, fibre optic, HDMI, DVI.
Wireless: Bluetooth®, Wi-Fi, NFC, infrared, mobile/cellular networks.
Connection Features and Impact
Features of connection types and their role in meeting the needs of individuals and organisations.
The implications of selecting and using different connection types and their effect on system performance.
A6: Networks
Network Types and Features
The role of connecting devices to form a network.
Types of networks:
PAN, LAN, WAN, VPN, Internet.
Factors Affecting Network Choice
Factors to consider: user experience, cost, efficiency, compatibility, security, etc.
Network Components
Features of network components: routers, switches, Ethernet cables, wireless access points and their impact on IT system performance.
A7: Issues Relating to Transmission of Data
Transmission Protocols
Protocols governing data transmission for common tasks: HTTP, HTTPS, POP3, IMAP4, SMTP, VoIP, FTP, TCP/IP.
Security considerations during data transmission over different connection types and networks.
Bandwidth and Latency
Factors affecting bandwidth and latency (connection type, number of users, protocols, distance, data/signal conversion).
Data Compression and Codecs
Types of compression: Lossy (MP3, MP4, JPEG), Lossless (FLAC, GIF, PNG, ZIP).
Applications and implications of data compression.
The use and implications of codecs for audio and video transmission.
A8: Online Systems
Features and Impact
The personal and professional use of cloud storage and computing, as well as the implications for individuals and organisations.
Systems supporting remote working:
VPNs, remote desktop technologies.
Selection Factors for Online Systems
Factors: security, cost, ease of use, connectivity, features.
A9: Emerging Technologies
Technological Developments
Developments in digital devices, networks, and data modeling:
Smartphones, activity trackers, portable computing.
4G/5G, IoT, virtualization, containerization.
Augmented reality, virtual reality, machine learning.
Learning Aim B: Understand How Organisations Make Use of Data and Information
B1: Data and Information in an Organisation
The relationship between data and information, and how this impacts the information generated at various organisational levels.
Strategic level: Market trends, setting up new offices, etc.
Management level: Customer data, financial performance.
Operational level: Stock levels, customer numbers, cash flow.
B2: Online Communities
Features and implications of online communities for data sharing, privacy, and security.
Communication through social media, blogs, forums, etc.
Impact on stakeholders (cost, privacy, security).
B3: Using and Manipulating Data
Sources of data (primary, secondary).
Ensuring data accuracy and reliability through methods like verification, validation, and error correction.
Learning Aim C: Develop Policies for the Use of IT within an Organisation
C1: Threats to Data, Information, and Systems
Characteristics of data threats: viruses, malware, hackers, phishing.
The impact of threats on data, information, and systems for both individuals and organisations.
C2: Protecting Data
Techniques to protect data: file permissions, access control, backup procedures, encryption methods, firewalls, and antivirus software.
C3: Moral and Ethical Issues
Moral and ethical implications of IT use: privacy, sustainable IT, unequal access, online behavior, ethical hacking, and data protection.
C4: Legal Issues
Legal issues related to IT systems: computer misuse, copyright, health and safety, data protection, consumer rights, and accessibility.
C5: Professional Guidelines and Codes of Practice
The role and impact of professional guidelines and codes of practice (ISO standards, WCAG) on IT systems and organisations.
C6: Managing Information Technology within Organisations
Policies to manage IT infrastructure, data, and users:
User management, customer support, asset management, incident management, performance metrics.
Learning Aim Pass Merit Distinction
Learning aim A: Explore how IT infrastructure meets the needs of organisations and their stakeholders A.P1: Explain ways in which software can meet the needs of an organisation and its stakeholders.
A.P2: Explain ways in which hardware can meet the needs of an organisation and its stakeholders.
A.P3: Explain ways in which the use of data connections and networks can meet the needs of an organisation and its stakeholders. A.M1: Analyse how IT infrastructure can impact an organisation and its stakeholders. A.D1: Evaluate how IT infrastructure can impact an organisation and its stakeholders.
Learning aim B: Understand how organisations make use of data and information B.P4: Explain ways in which data is used in an organisation.
B.P5: Explain ways in which information is used and distributed by an organisation, both internally and externally. B.M2: Analyse how data and information are used in an organisation, both internally and externally. B.C.D2: Evaluate the impact of the use of data and information on an organisation, its stakeholders, and related policies.
B.C.D3: Justify decisions and approaches taken when developing policies.
Learning aim C: Develop policies for the use of IT within an organisation C.P6: Describe internal and external threats, to data and information, in an organisation.
C.P7: Describe procedures to be implemented in an organisation to allow them to protect data and information.
C.P8: Describe procedures to be implemented in an organisation to allow them to operate in legal, moral, and ethical ways. C.M3: Analyse how threats, and mitigation of those threats, impact an organisation and its stakeholders.
C.M4: Analyse how suggested procedures that ensure an organisation works in a legal and ethical way would impact on an organisation and its