Wayne$$s notes include details that pertain to the characteristics of useful information. His notes about receiving the purchase reports around the time he puts in supply orders are in reference to the$$of information.

Figuring out cost$-$effective ways to acquire, process, store, retrieve, and communicate useful information has led to the vastly expanding and innovative field of information technology. The Hewlett$-$Packard Corporation $($HP$)$ is one of the world$$s largest information technology companies and is constantly working to develop new technologies in this field. Here is an example:

Hewlett$-$Packard is investigating the use of photonics, the transmission of information via light. HP hopes to one day put photonic connectors in computers, allowing the transmission of data at a rate that is exponentially faster than current capabilities provide.

Hewlett$-$Packard$$s investment in this technology is most likely an attempt to impact the$$costs of data management.