Module 3.

IT APPLICATIONS

E-Governance

The emergence of Information and Communications Technology (ICT) has provided means
for faster and better communication, efficient storage, retrieval and processing of data and
exchange and utilization of information to its users.

E- Governance or 'electronic governance' is basically the application of Information and

Communications Technology to the processes of Government functioning .

Features

1) Exchange of information with citizens, businesses or other government departments

2) Speedier and more efficient delivery of public services

3) Improving internal efficiency

4) Reducing costs/increasing revenue

5) Re-structuring of administrative processes

6) Improving quality of services

Defining e-Governance

According to the World Bank, "E-Government refers to the use by government agencies of
Information technologies (such as Wide Area Networks, the Internet, and mobile
computing) that have the ability to transform relations with citizens, businesses, and other
arms of government.

Stages of e-Governance

1. Computerisation

In the first phase, with the availability of personal computers, a large number of
Government offices got equipped with computers. The use of compofers belgan with word
processing quickly followed by data processing
2. Networking

in this phase, some units of a few government organizations got connected through a hub
leading to sharing of information and flow of data between different government entities

3. On-line presence

With increasing internet connectivity, a need was felt for maintaining a presence on the
web This resulted in maintenance of websites by government departments and other
Entities.

4. On-line interactivity

The main am at this stage was to minimize the scope of personal interface with government
entities by providing downloadable Forms, instructions. Acts. Rules etc. In some cases,
this has already led to on in submision of Forms. Most citizen-government transactions
have the potential of being put on e-Governance mode

Types of interactions in e-Governance

1) G2G (Government to Government)

in this case, Information and Communications Technology is used not only to restructure
the governmental processes involved in the functioning of government entities but also to
Increase the flow of information and services within and between different entities

2.G2C (Government to Citizens)

in this case, an interface is created between the government and citizens which enables
the citizens to benefit from efficient delivery of a large range of public services. This
expands the availability and accessibility of public services on the one hand and improves
the quality of services on the other.

3. G2B (Government to Business)

Here, e-Governance tools are used to aid the business community - providers of goods and
services to seamlessly interact with the government. The objective is to cut red tape, save
time, reduce operational costs and to create a more transparent business environment
when dealing with the government.

4. G2E (Government to Employees)

, it has to interact with its employees on a regular basis. This interaction is a two-way
process between the organisation and the employee. Use of ICT tools helps in making
these interactions fast and efficient on the one hand and increase satisfaction levels of
employees on the other.

Benefits of e-Governance

Following benefits are expected from e-Governance

1. Better access to information and quality services for citizens

ICT would make available timely and reliable information on various aspects of governance
In the initial phase, information would be made available with respect to simple aspects of
governance such as forms, laws, rules, procedures etc later extending to detailed
information ncluding reports, public database, decision making processes etc.

2. Simplicity, efficiency and accountability in the government

Application of ICT to governance would lead to simplification of complicated processes

avoiding of unwanted processes, simplification in structures and changes in regulations.

3. Expanded reach of governance

Rapid growth of communications technology and its adoption in governance would help in
bringing government machinery to the doorsteps of the citizens. Expansion of telephone
network, rapid strides in mobile telephony, spread of internet and strengthening of other
communications infrastructure would facilitate delivery of a large number of services
provided by the government.
E-GOVERNANCE INITIATIVES IN INDIA

FRIENDS

Fast Reliable, Instant, Efficient Network for the Disbursement of Services is part of the
Kerala State IT Mission FRIENDS counters handie 1.000 types of payment bills originate ing
out of various PSUs. The payments that citizens can make include utility payments
Electricity and water, revenue taxes, license fees, motor vehicle taxes, university fees, etc

Bhoomi

The Department of Revenue in Karnataka State has computerized 20 million records of

land ownership of 6.7 million farmers in the State. Previously farmers had to seek out the
Village Accountant to get a copy of Record of Rights Tenancy and Crops (RTC) - a document
needed for many tasks such as obtaining bank loans There were delays and harassment.
Bribes had to be paid.

DRISHTEE-Connecting India Village by Village

.Drishtee is an organizational platform for developing IT enabled services to rural and semi-
urban populations through the usage of state-of-the-art software. Using a tiered franchise
and partnership model, Drishtee is capable of enabling the creation of approximately
50,000 Information Kiosks all over India within a span of six years.

TARAhaat - Achieving Connectivity for the Poor Case Study

This project, named TARAhaat" after the all-purpose haat (meaning a village bazaar).
comprises a commercially viable model for bringing relevant information, products and
services via the Internet to the unserved rural market of India from which an estimated 50%
of the national income is derived.

Akshaya
As part of Kerala's ambitious e-literacy campaign. Akshaya e-Centers are being setup
throughout Kerala. These centers provide e-literacy to one member from every household
and act as ICT dissemination nodes. All Akshaya e-Centres will have Internet connectivity
and will be networked with a central- ized operating center. CONCERT

CONCERT-

Country wide Network of Computerized Enhanced Reservation and Ticketing developed by

CRIS is a total networking solution to Indian Railways Passenger Reservation System
Started initially in 1987 from Delhi, at present 95 per cent of the reserved accommodation
in passenger trains are made through the nationwide computerised passenger reservation
system available at 700 locations, using 3000 computer terminals.

SAKSHAT

'Sakshat' is a land mark initiative of the Ministry of Human Resource Development (MHRD)
to develop a one stop educational portal for addressing the educational and learning
related needs of students, scholars, teachers and lifelong learners.

IT APPLICATION IN MEDICINE

1. Storage of Patient's Data

Computers are the excellent means for storage of patient related data. Big hospitals
employ computer systems to maintain patient records. It is often necessary to maintain
detailed records of the medical history of patients.

2. Patient Management

The clinical community has long anticipated the day when computers would be able to
assist with diagnosis and with making decisions about patient management. Examples
Show that technology increasingly will provide physicians with clinically useful decision-
support tools.

3.Knowledge Base
Medicine comprises vast base of knowledge. Computer storage can serve as the best
means of housing this information Medical journals, research and diagnosis papers
important medical documents and reference books can best be stored in an electronic
format

4. Medical Equipments

Many of the medical appliances of today work on pre-programmed instructions. The

circuitry and logic in most of the medical equipment is basically a computer. The
functioning of hospital-bed beeping systems, emergency alarm systems, X-ray machines
and several such medical appliances is based on computer logic

5. Diagnosis of Diseases

Computer software is used for diagnosis of diseases. It can be used for the examination of
internal organs of the body. Advanced computer-based systems are used to examine
delicate organs of the body. Some of the complex surgeries can be performed with the aid
of computers. The different types of monitoring equipment in hospitals are often based on
computer programming.

6. Medical Imaging

Medical imaging is a vast field that deals with the techniques to create images of the
human body for medical purposes Many of the modern methods of scanning and Imaging
are largely based on the computer technology.

7. Computer Networking

Computer Networking enables quicker communication. Computers and Internet have

proved to be a boon in all the spheres of life in the field of medicine, computers allow for
faster communication between a patient and a doctor Doctors can collaborate better over
the Internet Today.

8. Medication
Scientists are also working on a way to use computers to prescribe medication According
to doctors, some medications can be harmful if prescribed to a patient who has a certain
gene that is not able to properly absorb that medication.

9. Internet Surgery

Another advancement we can look forward to is the use of internet surgery. Internet
Surgery makes use of fast Ethernet connections and robotic tools to perform the actual
surgery. The surgeon does not have to be present in the room for this surgery to take place.

IT APPLICATIONS IN HEALTH CARE

1. Electronic health record (EHR)

EHRs were originally viewed as an electronic file cabinet for patient data from various
sources, ultimately integrating text, võice, images, handwritten notes, etc. Now they are
generally viewed as part of an automated order-entry and patient-tracking system providing
real-time access to patient data, as well as a continuous longitudinal record of their care.

2. Computerized provider order entry (CPOE)

CPOE in its basic form is typically a medication ordering and fulfilment system. More
advanced CPOE will also include lab orders, radiology studies, procedures, discharges,
transfers, and referrals

3. Clinical decision support system (CDSS)

CDSS provides physicians and nurses with real-time diagnostic and treatment
recommendations. The term covers a variety of technologies ranging from simple alerts
and prescription drug interaction warnings to full clinical pathways and protocols CDSS
may be used as part of CPOE and HER

4. Picture archiving and communications system (PACS)

This technology captures and integrates diagnostic and radiological images from various
devices (eg, x-ray, MRI, computed tomography scan), stores them, and disseminates them
to a medical record, a clinical data repository, or other points of care
5. Bar coding

Bar coding in a health care environment is similar to bar-code scanning in other

environments. An optical scanner is used to electronically capture information encoded on
a product.

6. Radio frequency identification (RFID)

This technology tracks patients throughout the hospital, and links lab and medication
tracking through a wireless communications system. It is neither mature nor widely
available, but may be an alternative to bar coding

7. Automated dispensing machines (ADMS)

This technology distributes medication doses

8. Electronic materials management (EMM)

Health care organizations use EMM to track and manage inventory of medical supplies,
pharmaceuticals, and other materials. This technology is similar to enterprise resource
planning systems used outside of health care.

9. Interoperability

This concept refers to electronic communication among organizations so that the data in
one IT system can be incorporated into another Discussions of interoperability focus on
development of standards for content and messaging, among other areas, and
development of adequate security and privacy safeguards.

IT APPLICATIONS IN BUSINESS AND COMMERCE

Information technology is widely used in business, commerce and other related areas. Its
main application areas are
1.Stock control

One of the applications of IT in business field is stock control EDI (Electronic Data
Interchange) facilitates exchange of orders between different businesses and allows Just In
Time stock ordering. Other businesses place orders electronically once production
schedules have been set for the next period

2./CAM-Computer Aided Design/Computer Aided Manufacture

Computer Aided Design (CAD) and Computer Aided Manufacture (CAM) are two systems
that tend to work together Computer Aided Design helps design products on computers,
rather than having to create endless drawings. The system can create realistic 3D images of
the finished product

3.Project Management

Project Planning software, such as Microsoft Project, allows project managers to enter
tasks, lead times, dependencies and staff skills and availability, even allowing for holiday.
and the system will produce an optimised work schedule. The system produces regular
reports for project managers to check progress and take any corrective action. Networked
versions enable different people to query the system and keep it up to date

4.MRP/ERP-Management Resource Planning/Enterprise Resource Planning

These are names for computer systems that attempt to manage the whole company and
draw together all aspects of its operations and administration.