What is an ICT system?

Various uses for ICT systems in different working sectors such as aircrafts, factories and ships
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An ICT system is a set-up consisting of hardware, software, data and the people who use them. It commonly includes communications technology, such as the internet.

ICT and computers are not the same thing.

Computers are the hardware that is often part of an ICT system.

This is why it's important not just to learn about computers but about how, why and when people use them. It is the power of computers and communications that has allowed ICT systems to become so important. Like any piece of equipment, the important thing about it is what it lets us do.

ICT systems are used in a number of environments, such as:

  • offices
  • shops
  • factories
  • aircraft
  • ships

They're also used in fields such as:

  • communications
  • medicine
  • farming

ICT systems are everyday and ordinary, yet extraordinary in how they can add extra power to what we do and want to do.

The importance of ICT systems

By using ICT systems we are:

  • more productive - we can complete a greater number of tasks in the same time at reduced cost by using computers than we could prior to their invention
  • able to deal with vast amounts of information and process it quickly
  • able to transmit and receive information rapidly