 On
the Net
with Chris Goh
As the size of an organisation grows, so too does the role that
ICT (Information, Communication Technology) plays. It becomes central
in the operational success of the organisation. The largest and
often unmentioned question is how ICT can move from just an operational
role to a more outcome driven strategic platform. This is particularly
challenging given the capital costs of systems. It is a big business
decision for management to say "we want to use technology not
just as an operational tool, but a strategic business tool that
will allow us to make better business decisions and effectively
deliver our services and business driven outcomes to stakeholders".
One of the immediate needs of an organisation before procuring
a string of systems is to hire someone who has a broad and comprehensive
understanding of how technology integrates, as well as a high degree
of business acumen. An ICT manager in today's world should be a
good communicator and know about data and how it is stored, captured
and transferred onto various mediums. The majority of information
systems will be driven by a database, whether it be a website or
records management system. All information systems should be procured
on the same platform to allow easy integration between systems and
transfer of knowledge. The ICT manager should have a fundamental
understanding of networks and how to interconnect systems whether
it be on a local network to Wide Area, on various ICT delivery platforms,
or through wireless, VOIP etc. You need a person who is able to
develop a purchasing and maintenance strategy that will decrease
the overall cost of your ICT operations. You need someone that can
write an IT strategic vision that can complement the business plan,
and most important a person who can earn respect from their peers
and the executive. As I know all too well, at the end of the day
the major reason why ICT is not used effectively in an organisation
is because ICT doesn't rate a mention in the boardroom and especially
during the creation of a business plan, as many business owners
haven't grown out of the thought that ICT is just an operational
asset and cannot lead to better business success.
Hotnews
Now that the Honeymoon for Tiger (OSX 10.4) is over, news is coming
back from many users about crashes and issues in compatibility problems
with legacy software (particularly that of OS 9). There is a story
(though a tad over hyped) of someone using the new JavaScript Dashboard
Widget to install a hack, but in the grand scheme of things, if
that's the only thing they find as a security flaw, it isn't bad
at all.
With Intel's announcement of the WiMax chip, ISP's in Australia
have been quick to follow. Unwired, which currently has Australia's
largest wireless subscribers, will also be one of the first to move
to full WiMax with a new range of LCD modems. Unwired intends to
run both their legacy and new WiMax system for a while to assist
existing customers in the new transition period.
The Incredibles, released in Australia last Christmas, has tripled
Pixar's earnings and is set to be the best selling DVD of 2005.
Hotsites
- www.movingandlearning.com
- The moving and learning website is focused on children from
birth to eight. Essentially the site educates us in realising
that moving children are healthier, smarter and more socially
aware.
- www.goodthings.com
- If you want a bit of positive reinforcement and a look at the
good things in life, this is a site that reminds you that there
are positive people out there, with positive things happening
in our society every day.
- www.creativity-portal.com
- The Creativity Portal aims to encourage your creative side by
providing you with links to information, groups and programs that
explores the natural talents in all of us.
|
