What we are witnessing in modern times is the mind-boggling way in which information and data are being generated worldwide and the consequent changes and   challenges   that it is ushering in continuously and rapidly, in all walks of life. Handling and processing of data and information and more and more so of knowledge is increasingly becoming indispensable irrespective of the sector of activity, let it be manufacturing, business or service industry.   Information Technology is advancing with new innovations, strategies and techniques   to effectively and to efficiently cope up with these developments. By virtue of the complex interdependence   and interrelations existing in the data and   information   environments, there is a rapid convergence taking place in the technology areas of computing and communications.