How to Strengthen a Business & IT Relationship

Familiarity with IT systems builds strong IT relationships.

The widespread evolution of information technologies, or IT, is driven by computers, software networks and the Internet. IT impacts a number of business operations including the ability to globalize, digitalizing goods, the speed of communication and transactions, merging products and services and information security. IT systems can help businesses streamline operations and enhance communication within the business and with customers, suppliers, other businesses and the media. To improve a business using IT, employees must strengthen their relationship with the system by understanding the operations and value of IT.

Instructions

1. Understand the value of information. Most business operations require valuable information such as customer identification, amounts in bank accounts and industry intelligence. IT makes business information more accessible and accurate.

2. Learn about information systems components. Most IT systems are composed of hardware, software, databases, networks and the Internet. Some company's also have an intranet, which is similar to the Internet except it's only accessible to the business' employees.

3. Learn how to use IT to enhance competitive advantage. IT systems can be used to streamline business operations, reduce costs and increase profits. IT systems can help businesses reach new markets, unreachable by competitors with weaker IT relationships.

4. Examine the information system's role in your organizational environment. Determine how IT helps reach organizational goals. Often, each department or business function uses IT for different operations, but each instance of IT use should advance company objectives.

5. Consider administrative information systems. Administrative IT supports functions such as transactions, payroll, market analysis, inventory management and customer relationship management. Administrative employees have a close relationship with these types of IT, but other employees may also become interested in these systems.

6. Consider functional information systems. Besides administration, departments or personnel that may have specific IT systems include finance, accounting, marketing, sales, manufacturing, operations and human resources. IT systems for these departments help with administration, analysis and operations.

7. Link knowledge workers to information specific IT systems. Knowledge workers add value to businesses by using specific knowledge to prune and add context to the massive amount of information in IT systems and communications. Examples include market and financial analysts and systems engineers.

8. Familiarize staff with IT laws and ethics. String relationships with IT require an understanding of the ethics and legalities of information technology. For example, customer database operators are expected to protect any customer personal information stored in the database.

Tips & Warnings

• Telecommuting uses IT to allow employees to work remotely or from home.

References

• California State University; Business Technology Use; L.D. Rosen, et al.
• "Information Systems Technology"; Ross A. Malaga; 2005