B102.7 - Information Technology |
Do you realize just how complicated the digital age has made things for the above average small business person, not to mention every business small and large that utilizes technology?
As a small business person, you often have much of the digital overhead of larger organizations without the IT staff or the profit margins to handle your technology properly, and that is why you stress out when we get to this topic.
Saying you need IT help is like saying you need a doctor.
When people speak of "Information Technology" aka "IT", many think in terms of the actual hardware, software, and networking technology in raw form more so than Business Information Systems or Management Information Systems which are a combination of technology and real world processes.
Separating that hardware, software and networking technology from the applied use is all about splitting hairs and parsing words. No matter where it is put categorically, there is always someplace else it could be put too, so pick your poison and go with it. Focus on the problems and solutions needed with less emphasis on the theoretical buckets they fall in to while honoring the fact that the theoretical buckets are what helps you try to ensure you aren't missing something BIG.
Below is an outline for this page:
As a small business person, you often have much of the digital overhead of larger organizations without the IT staff or the profit margins to handle your technology properly, and that is why you stress out when we get to this topic.
Saying you need IT help is like saying you need a doctor.
- If your problem is with your heart and you call a Podiatrist, you are likely screwed.
- Likewise, if you have a broken thumb and you call a Neurologist, good luck with that.
- And often times you have no clue what specialist you need to call to start with, because it's just so darn complicated, and that's what makes it complicating and confusing...
When people speak of "Information Technology" aka "IT", many think in terms of the actual hardware, software, and networking technology in raw form more so than Business Information Systems or Management Information Systems which are a combination of technology and real world processes.
Separating that hardware, software and networking technology from the applied use is all about splitting hairs and parsing words. No matter where it is put categorically, there is always someplace else it could be put too, so pick your poison and go with it. Focus on the problems and solutions needed with less emphasis on the theoretical buckets they fall in to while honoring the fact that the theoretical buckets are what helps you try to ensure you aren't missing something BIG.
Below is an outline for this page:
- Formal Definitions
- Formal Curriculum
- Important Questions for Understanding
- Discussion -- Information Technology Technicians
- Discussion -- Computers are generally required these days...
1) Formal Definition
Information Technology
NOTE: This sounds more like Management Science and Operations research to some. See how the idea of IT in a strict sense related to hardware, software and networking can be conflated with other stuff?
- The study or use of systems (especially computers and telecommunications) for storing, retrieving, and sending information.
Source: Google "define x"
NOTE: This sounds more like Management Science and Operations research to some. See how the idea of IT in a strict sense related to hardware, software and networking can be conflated with other stuff?
2) Formal Curriculum
Saylor's offers two classes that are appropriate in this Information Technology group.
Management Information Systems
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Strategic Information Technology
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From our perspective, their Management Information Systems class is about foundational stuff, and their Strategic Information Technology topics relate to the application and use of the foundational stuff for business purposes.
3) Important Questions for Understanding
Hardware/Computers
Software
The Cloud
Support
- Are computers required for your business?
- Do you need PC's, Mac's, Chromebooks, Unix boxes, your own servers, cloud servers , Virtual Machines, custom point of sale systems ?
Software
- Are you using the best software for your needs?
- Are you using cloud based software whenever possible?
- Are you using your software efficiently?
- Do you know how to select proper software for your needs?
The Cloud
- Has everyone's overly generalized use of the term Cloud thoroughly confused you?
- Do you realize that speaking of the cloud could refer to 10 different thingys or systems, and most who use the terms don't realize just how sloppy they are being with their own vocabulary and how confusing they are making things for others?
- If you learn to categorize things in the cloud a little better with a few more terms or concepts, it might make your life a little easier, and you might realize all those people using fancy terms aren't that much smarter than you. And it's important to feel like you truly understand things others are talking about in overly simplified and confusing ways.
Support
- Do you have a good handle on hardware and software support costs?
- Do you understand that support costs could drive you out of business?
- Do you know how to create and use manual systems and processes when computerized systems are simply to difficult and expensive to support?
- Do you have a local contact for hardware support?
- Do you have a local contact who can come in for software support or do it remotely?
- Do you have a local contact who can come in for networking and wireless support?
- Do you know how to isolate IT problems without support?
- Do you have any clue how powerful Spreadsheets are?
- Do you have any clue how much more powerful Google Sheets are as compared to Microsoft Excel for most applications? Do you know when Excel is the product of choice?
- Do you realize how much saner your business life might be if you used spread sheets whenever possible?
- Do you realize spreadsheets might be able to replace the majority of your software needs and give you more control over your business than using software written by others? THIS IS THE GOLDEN EGG FOR MANY , BUT YOU NEED A LOT OF PERSPECTIVE BEFORE YOU'LL EMBRACE A LESS SEXY SOLUTION, BECAUSE "THEY" HAVE GOTTEN INTO YOUR HEAD.
4) Discussion -- Information Technology Technicians
Information Technology Technicians are the people who actually physically setup wired and wireless networks. They physically load software onto computers and servers and configure initial settings. They physically assist with mobile device problems and issues. They reload software and operating systems when they go bad, etc etc etc. WeI refer to these people as Information Technology Technicians.
As a small business person, it is CRITICAL that you have a local, affordable resource that can assist you when you get in over your head. These folks often times don't have four year college degrees. Many times they went to technical schools or just figured this stuff out on their own. Having different resources for different support needs may be very common. Finding someone who can teach you what they are doing so you can become more self sufficient can be nice too.
As a small business person, it is CRITICAL that you have a local, affordable resource that can assist you when you get in over your head. These folks often times don't have four year college degrees. Many times they went to technical schools or just figured this stuff out on their own. Having different resources for different support needs may be very common. Finding someone who can teach you what they are doing so you can become more self sufficient can be nice too.
5) Discussion -- Computers are generally required these days...
Technically, many businesses can still be run the old fashioned way, believe it or not. For some, that may be a good place to regress to until a proper IT Strategy can be put in play that matches one's skills and desires, but you won't last long if you aren't at least using email and/or a smart phone for communication. You just can't be efficient enough to be business relevant without those items these days.
Question: Do you need PC's, Mac's, Chromebooks, Unix boxes, your own servers, cloud servers , Virtual Machines, custom point of sale systems ?
Oh my. There's almost no way for most of you to know what you need until you know what software you want to use, and you can't explore that until you pick some hardware first, and... well.. wait a second... this is a Chicken/Egg kind of thing... and this is where some simple coaching or consulting and some planning can come in very handy.
Question: Do you need PC's, Mac's, Chromebooks, Unix boxes, your own servers, cloud servers , Virtual Machines, custom point of sale systems ?
Oh my. There's almost no way for most of you to know what you need until you know what software you want to use, and you can't explore that until you pick some hardware first, and... well.. wait a second... this is a Chicken/Egg kind of thing... and this is where some simple coaching or consulting and some planning can come in very handy.
99) Real World Stuff you need for Operations
Please see the Technology section of this website for TONS of information related to your IT Needs