The term IT is often used loosely and not understood if a person is not familiar with it. Many businesses realise that they may need an IT person to assist them.
What Is Information Technology (IT)?
This is the process of using computers for the purpose of handling information or data in the following ways:
- Storing
- Receiving
- Sending
- Manipulation
The term IT was created in 1958 when it was used in an article of the Harvard Business Review. It was to encompass three categories, which are:
- Processing techniques
- Statistical and mathematical applications to making decisions
- The use of computer programs with simulations of higher order thinking
IT in the Business Environment
IT in the business sector is defined as an information system that is computer based. It encompasses the following:
- Studying
- Designing
- Developing
- Applications
- Implementing
- Supporting
- Managing
IT professionals will take on tasks such as :
- Administration of the network
- Developing software and hardware
- Planning a business technology
- Management of the business’s technology
IT Implementation
When a business needs to rely on IT, there is a process that has to be followed to implement an IT system. This is a big undertaking for the business and one that needs to follow a plan that has a history of being successful. Which means relying on an experienced IT professional to do the task.
Most often, when the businesses are implementing IT, it will either be for hardware, perhaps a new set of computers, or computers being used in the business for the first time. Or another common occurrence is the implementation of the software.
Usually, the first step that has to be done is an IT assessment. The business needs to know what IT has to be implemented into the company for its betterment. Once this is done, then the decision of what IT professionals are going to do the work can be made.
There will be several people involved in IT implementation. It will be comprised of the professionals that will be installing it. It will be the management of the company to make the decisions and oversee the installation, and finally, it will be those that will be using the IT itself.
Communication
It is most difficult for employees that have been in a company for a lengthy period to be able to adapt to new information technology no matter what type it is. It is up to management to make them feel confident as to the purposes of the changes and how it is going to benefit the employee.
The Transition
The IT professionals will have to work with those within the company at the start of the project. There has to be a well-established project management plan to make sure that the transition goes smoothly.
IT Professionals
The company that is supplying the system will take care of the installation and configuration of it. Then there will have to be IT experienced people on staff to assist through the learning process to make sure that the system is being used to its fullest extent.
Change Management
There should be someone assigned within the company that can assist with managing the changes that are taking place. This includes making sure the staff is comfortable with the new system and is adapting to it.
Throughout the project, the IT professionals will have their own project management.
Other Requirements
The implementation process for IT will also include the need for the following:
- Staff training
- Support
- A plan for the migration of data
- Contingency planning
- The launch
- Risk monitoring
- Security checking
- Analysis for the results and outcomes
There is a lot to an IT implementation process. However, it is a necessity.