Definition of Information Technology (2024)

According toND Century Code (Chapter 54.59.01),Information Technology means the use of hardware, software, services, and supporting infrastructure to manage and deliver information using voice, data, and video.

To further this definition for IT budgeting and procurement, NDIT offers the following guidance.

Included in Information Technology

• All computers with a human interface
• All computer peripherals which will not operate unless connected to a computer or network
• All voice, video and data networks and the equipment, staff and purchased services necessary to operate them
• All salary and benefits for staff whose job descriptions specifically includes technology functions, i.e. network services, applications development, systems administration
• All technology services provided by vendors or contractors
• Operating costs associated with providing information technology
• All costs associated with developing, purchasing, licensing or maintaining software

Agencies may wish to include other costs at their discretion. For example, an agency may wish to include digital cameras in their IT budget even though they can be operated stand-alone. Data entry personnel may be included if they are considered part of the technology staff. Costs that are excluded above may be included if they are an integral part of a computer applications or would be difficult to break out because the costs are included with other information technology costs.

Examples of Information Technology

• Telephone and radio equipment and switches used for voice communications.
• Traditional computer applications that include data storage and programs to input, process, and output the data.
• Software and support for office automation systems such as word processing and spreadsheets, as well as the computer to run them.
• Users' PCs and software.
• Server hardware and software used to support applications such as electronic mail/groupware, file and print services, database, application/ web servers, storage systems, and other hosting services.
• Data, voice, and video networks and all associated communications equipment and software.
• Peripherals directly connected to computer information systems used to collect or transmit audio, video or graphic information, such as scanners and digitizers.
• Voice response systems that interact with a computer database or application.
• The state radio communications network.
• Computers and network systems used by teachers, trainers, and students for educational purposes
• "Open/integrated" computer systems that monitor or automate mechanical or chemical processes and also store information used by computer applications for analysis and decision-making, such as a building management system.
• All operating costs, equipment and staff time associated with supporting the technology infrastructure of the agency, possibly including items excluded above, such as video equipment used for technology training that is included in the information systems cost center for the agency.

Excluded from Information Technology

• "Closed/stand-alone" computer systems that monitor or automate mechanical or chemical processes, such as the fire alarm system in the capitol building.
• Audio-visual equipment which can be operated as a standalone piece of equipment, such as televisions, tape recorders, VCRs, video cameras, and overhead projectors. Stand-alone video editing equipment is excluded.
• Copy machines and fax machines.
• Licenses or subscriptions to electronic information provided to users in lieu of books or magazines.
• Salaries of staff who use technology but are not directly involved in developing, implementing or supporting technology as documented on their job description questionnaire (JDQ). Data entry staff, staff who digitize drawings, staff who do desktop publishing are excluded. "Power users" who use advanced features of spreadsheets or word processing software are excluded.
• Data entry services