“information” means many things to many people depending on
the context scientifically. Information is processed data. Information can also
be loosely defined as that which aids decision making, information, through
abstract, could be visualized as a coomodity which could be brought or sold.
Other writer define information as any potentially useful fact quality or value
tathat can be exprees with exactness .information is watherever is capable of
causing a human mind to change its oppinon about the current of the state of
real world according to Dewarevaile and gilbert (2000)
Communcation
refers to the transfer of ecxhnage of information from person to person or from
one place to another when action produce a reaction weither positive or
negative communication as taken place. Other writer in the field of
communication studies have defined communication as a process, a transfer of
information, ideas, thought and
messages. It involves a sender, a receiver, a code and a language that is understood by both the
sender and the receiver. A process involving the passing of messages through
the use of symbol which all parties in the communication encounter understand
it involve the exchange of ideas, facts, attitudes and believes between people.
If it is not one way affairs. There must be a sender to transmit the message,
and receiver to make appriopriate descision on how th rest of the exchange
continues. James etal (2004) technology refers to the use of scientific
knowledge to invent tools that assist the human beign in there effort to
overcome environmental hazard and impediment to comfort. In this regard,
technology refers the thing like computer telllephone, cel phone , GSM handset,
Television, radio e.t.c.
Put together therefore ICT has been
defined by Dewarttiville girlbert (2000) as the acquisition analysis ,
manipulation, storage and distribution of information , and design and provision
of equipment and software for these purpose. ICT and information’s technologies
(IT) are similar concept that can be used interchangeably. IT implies
communication and therefore it become an
obvious that the two term are synonymous.
2.4
information technology architecture
Information
technology (IT) architecture is a blue point that is developed, implemented,
maintained, and used to explain and guide how an organization IT and
information management element works together to efficiently accomplished the
mission of the organization. IT architecture addresses the following views:
business activities, and processes data sets and information flows, application
and software, and technology. A proper architecture is not limited to adware
and software issue.
2.4.1
Objectives of IT Architecture
David A Mcafee (1997) presented the IT
architecture as been guided by the following objective, which helps
make decision for establishing individual standards:-
1. Architecture decision should serve
the department mission.
2. The architecture serve heterogeneous
environment
3. The greater the consensus achieves
for individual architecture decision the greater the benefits.
4. The architecture should identify
areas of stability without impeding essential innovation.
5. Architectural decision should
described tangible result of conformance and non conformance with the
architecture.
6. Architectural decision should provide
sufficient documentation to assess the compliance of a specific
implementation
2.4.2
purpose of it architecture.
The purpose of the IT architecture
is to guide the process of planning, acquiring building, modifying, interfacing
and deploying. IT resources throughout the department. As such then IT architecture should offer a
means of stable evolution by identify by technology that work together to
satisfy the need of the department user
2.4.3
Benefit of it architecture.
1. It’s a way to inform the developers
department directions.
2. It will
help in making planning, development and purchase decision.
3. It will
be useful in aligning information technology provider for the development
4. It will
reduce the maintenance and support requirements
5. It will
help planning migration to new technologies
2.4.4 componet of IT architecture.
The IT architecture that is created
by the strategic business/IT planning process is a conceptual blue point that
includes the following major components:
1. Teaching platform: the internet,
intranets and extranets and other networks, computer system software and
integrated software application provide a computing and communication
infrastructure or platform that supports the strategic use of information technology
for E-business, e-commerce and other business / IT applications.
2. Data Resources: many type of
operational and specialized data base including data warehouse and internet / Intranet
data base store and provide data and information for business processes and
decision support.
3. Application architecture: business
application of information technology is design as an integrated architecture
or portfolio of enterprises system that support strategic business initiatives.
4. IT Organization: the organizational
structure of IT functions within a company and distribution of IT /IS specialists
are design to meet the changing strategies of a business. (Conned from MIT 706:
information technology centre management, lecture note)
2.4.5 IT
Architecture framework.
The framework for the IT
architecture is that of a cube sliced into five section or layers from back to
front. Each section or layer represented a type of architectural specification
from the most general IT Policies layer at the back of the cube to the most
specific product layer of the front of the cubes.
A comprehensive view of an IT
architecture specifies: (1). Policies and (2). Principle that indicate
direction (3). Services and common solutions (4). Standards and Guidelines and
(5). Product that detailed the mean of implementation(Davic A.
Mcafee(1997)
