IT Functions within an Organization
The Information technology department is said to be the greatest department of a company until a problem arises and the problem is not fixed right away. “Many of the things the IT departments do go somewhat unnoticed because they are behind the scenes. These could include things like implementing spam filters, security layers, website features, and other behind-the-scenes technologies.” (Colorado State University, 2014) It is important that the culture and structure of the IT departments within a company are set up for success and not failure.
IT Functions
“IT departments help to create efficiency and help to effectively use money in regard to protecting information and processing data and useable information.” (Colorado State University, 2014)
The philosophical approach to the development, deployment and use of the IT department can range from a wait and see attitude to being the first company to use a new technology. In order for a company to remain competitive, it is more likely they will use a new technology first to have technological a...
A great deal of information was covered this week such as, the necessity in which businesses need to effectively plan and set objectives, the strategies utilized and how they are executed to obtains results, and how managements decisions can potentially affect those results. Although each topic covered was found to be interesting and informational, there was something in particular that struck a chord, which was how business establishments have to be flexible and adaptable and in many instances plan and change their strategies of today, in order to keep up with the evolving technology of tomorrow. Something that one often thinks about is how individuals use technology today and how companies that provide that technology are adapting. For instance, author Richard Daft of the textbook, Management, 12th ed. brings to light the potential issues that Intel is facing explaining “As another example of an external threat, Intel, whose microprocessors power most PCs, is being hurt by the decline in demand for personal computers as more people turn to tablets and smartphones.” (Daft, 2016, pg. 259). After reading this, one wanted to take a deep look into what it is exactly that Intel intends to do to overcome this obstacle and found some
This paper focuses on the impact of Management of Information Systems (MIS) on Boeing. In this endeavor, it highlights the new technologies that will most likely impact on the organization and structure. In addition, the paper discusses possible impacts of new technological advancement on the company, to remain competitive in the face of the new technological developments. In this regard, the paper reflects on the possible strategies that Boeing is likely to adapt so that it remains competitive that is, by introducing new technological developments. Finally, with such a move of adapting or not adapting the new technology, this research paper looks at risks that are associated with both moves that the company might opt for.
Another aspect that Cheryl discovered was that was that half of the structure and organization of systems and procedures of the company met the industry standards. The company’s IT department had designed its operations based on the firm’s needs. The IT organization was structured according to internal
University of Idaho. (2014). Information Technology Services: Appendix 1: ITS Analysis of Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats. Retrieved from http://www.uidaho.edu/its/strategic-plan/appendix-i.
Information Technology (IT) is a foundation for conducting business today. It plays a critical role in increasing productivity of firms and entire nation. It is proven that firms who invested in IT have experienced continued growth in productivity and efficiency. Many companies' survival and even existence without use of IT is unimaginable. IT has become the largest component of capital investment for companies in the United States and many other countries.
Instead of viewing IT as a way to gain competitive advantage, they need to view technology as a requirement of running a business. Carr equates it with a resource "essential to competition, but inconsequential to strategy" (Carr, 48), electricity. It's something that isn't essential to a cooperation's business strategy; nevertheless, "even a brief lapse in supply can be devastating" (Carr, 48). Similarly, a shut-down in IT can be disastrous for a company, but this does not mean that it is a core part of its business strategy. Inevitably, there will be significant spending in order to keep IT systems running smoothly, but managers must make a distinction between what spending is necessary and what is superfluous or even detrimental.
To further shore up his "IT as commodity" theory, Carr cites the fact that major technology vendors, such as Microsoft and IBM, are positioning themselves as "IT utilities," companies that control the provision of business applications over "the grid." Couple this IT-as-utility trend with the rapidly decreasing cost of processing power, data storage and transmission, and even the most "cutting-edge IT capabilities quickly become available to all."
In his 2003 article ‘IT Doesn’t Matter’, Nicholas Carr charts the evolution of Information Technology from the invention of the microprocessor in 1968 to present day omnipresence of IT solutions. His bone of contention with IT is not concerned with its widespread presence, but the magnified costs involved in the upkeep of IT infrastructure. He wants to bulldoze the myth that increased IT spending will culminate in higher returns and better profits. Acknowledging that though “Information technology has become the backbone of commerce” (Carr, 2003), he notes that its omnipresence works against its strategic advantage.
Effectively integrating information technology (IT) into an organization’s business processes is critical if the organization wants to increase productivity and remain profitable. IT includes items such as the systems software, application software, computer hardware, and the networks and databases that help manage the organization’s information. When implementing quality standards and processes that are forever changing in the IT world, organizations must balance these changes while continuing to rapidly implement new systems technologies in order to stay competitive.
Controlling is the fourth management function and its purpose is straightforward- to make sure that actual performance meets or surpasses objectives. It is well used for decision making and problem solving. Effective control depends on other management functions and it gives feedback to them. These functions are planning, organizing and leading. Planning sets directions and allocates resources. Organizing puts people and material resources together in working combinations. Leading motivates people to use these resources in the best way. Basically, the function of controlling is to make sure that the right things happen in a right time and in the right way.Control helps that overall directions of individuals and groups are consistent with short-range and long-range organizational plans. Also, it helps to ensure that objectives and accomplishments are coherent with one another throughout an organization. Moreover, it helps maintaining fulfillment with essential organizational rules and policies. Good example where we can see role of control is in helping to protect individual rights to become equivalent with employment opportunities at work. The control process practiced by managers includes four steps: 1) establish objectives and standards 2) measure actual performance 3) compare results with objectives and standards and 4) take actions if necessary1. The controlling process starts with establishing performance objectives and standards which means that the controlling process begins with planning. Performance objectives should be defined and associated with specific measurement standards for determining how well they are accomplished. Standards are the targets of performance. The next step of the control process would be measur...
Organizations and individuals have to strategically position themselves in order to take advantage of the growing technology and achieve business competitive advantage while at it (DeHaven 2010 pg 1). Technology has enabled globalization; where ideas, products and services have been shared. This has promoted foreign businesses thus helping different economies all across the globe. Different organizations and individuals have realized that technology will keep growing and changing and the best strategy will be to adapt it other than holding to rigid ways of doin...
As society grows and evolves, technological advancements and innovations continue to develop and consistently change different aspects of our society. For an organization, understanding how to manage these innovations is essential for their proper utilization and implementation. With technological advancements and innovations constantly emerging, it is important for an organization to stay aware of which new technological innovations can help them be successful. Organizations are always looking to set themselves apart from competition through innovation.
Keeping up with technology is difficult, tiresome, and firms find it very costly to keep at pace with it. Technology rapidly and constantly keeps on changing. Being at par technologically requires extensive research and strategic analysis of acquiring new innovation. Enforcing new technology requires staff retraining and in some cases making employees redundant.
Organizations are established in specific ways to obtain different objectives, and the structure of an organization can help or restrain its advance toward accomplishing these goals. Organizations of different sized and types can achieve higher sales and other profit adequately by identifying their requirements with the structure they use to operate.
One main apprehension that they have against Information System is the high investment cost. In addition to this there is the high maintenance and upgrade costs associated with the deployment of new IT systems. In fact they prefer to outsource the heavy IT department expenditures to other companies having IT as their core activities. In return they expected to receive a full solution pack to meet their requirements and they are ready to pay these IT services as an operating cost. At the same time the risks associated with IS are being shifted to the other