Technology is an umbrella term that encompasses many things. Technological change is also referred to as technological change or the development of new or progress tools and materials for a particular field. Technological change occurs with the passage of time and it is usually referred to as a paradigm shift. Technological change can be either a result of human or natural forces. Technological change occurs throughout the whole economy as a result of technological innovations, new knowledge, and process improvements. Technological change is also accompanied by globalization, rapid changes in communication and transportation technologies, and political and social disruptions.

Technology is the combination of all the different processes, instruments, and techniques applied in the development of physical goods or services, including scientific research, industrial analysis, product development, marketing, advertising, and sales and service management. Technological systems come in various forms, from computers and electronics to transportation. Some of the most important sectors affected by technological processes are energy, information and communication, health care, education, telecommunications, and manufacturing. In business, technology has influenced every aspect of business.

The process of incorporating technology changes often has a set sequence. One such sequence is called forward motion. Forward movement in technology is a change that improves a process (such as product development) or makes communications more efficient. This process can sometimes take a considerable amount of time to bring to fruition. One example of a typical technology change is the widespread use of computers in business, which has increased speed and productivity. Another example is the widespread use of digital photography, which has made it possible to produce high quality images that were not achievable before.

Although there are several types of technology, they generally fall into one of two categories. Utility technology is used to provide information or to control processes. There are many examples of utility technology, which includes such familiar items as elevators, trains, mechanical engineering, communications, air traffic control, shipping, and medicine. On the other hand, information technology is used to design, develop, test, evaluate, maintain, operate, or improve systems. An excellent example of an information technologist working in today’s world is Verizon Wireless, which designs, tests, and provides services for electronic devices.

Technology affects every aspect of society. Lately, there has been an increasing concern about the effect of technological innovations on the environment, which is having a detrimental affect on the quality of life. Technological innovations can help resolve current environmental problems, but additional measures will be required to solve long-term environmental issues. Concerns about the environment have prompted political leaders and citizens to lobby for new technological innovations and to pass legislation that promotes environmental protection.

Technologists possess an important role in ensuring that society continues to grow. They use their knowledge and experience to identify opportunities and to pursue new ideas for improving processes and product designs. Technologists can contribute to building a better tomorrow through innovative products, processes, and policies.