In 2001, 20 years after wide-acceptance of the IBM-PC (and compatibles), a person could still have a job where the use of computers was not required. The most technology they might require was an electronic typewriter (usually an IBM Selectric). Today, most jobs require the use of Information Technology (IT).
With proper implementation of IT, you will streamline operations and communicate the information employees and co-workers need to do their jobs at 2G, 3G, 4G, and 10/100/1000 Mbps.
IT SOLUTIONS
The bulk of IT solutions are used by operations people. Operations people are striving to make the best use of their time and the company’s assets. Yet, there seems to be hesitancy by operations people to use IT solutions to optimize processes, meet KPIs, and achieve goals. Many reasons can be listed for maintaining the status quo. After listing the reasons, the common themes will come down to these:
Company management needs to be sold on the idea. They don’t understand how IT solutions can help. They don’t want to spend money on something they don’t understand as it would disrupt the established operations. Management wants quantifiable benefits to operations and a return-on-investment (ROI).
Field personnel need to be sold on the idea. The benefits need to be described and demonstrated for individuals and groups that are affected by this project. They need to see their own ROI. If you succeed in prying open the company wallet and convince management to purchase the solution, the cooperation of the people in the field will be required in order to get things to work.
IT Department will need to have or plan to have the hardware, software, and services you require. “IT Department” is referring to the employees and/or vendors that provide the IT services to your company. You should have one point of contact with IT in order to get everything in place.
You need to be sold on the idea. This is the most important reason. The other items can be done in the order that allows you to make your case and get approvals quickly. A well thought out RFI/RFP/RFQ will help you demonstrate the benefits and ROI for the company.
Also, do a SWOT Analysis of the idea. The vendors of the IT products and services are a resource for you. They will help keep the project on-track, work with IT people, and address any issues that might occur.
The previous items are not new items. With any type of process or operation improvement, you will have to do all of these items (e.g., substitute “Road Grader” for “IT” in the previous items).
THESE ARE TOOLS
IT Solutions are tools. Some tools require little training or on-going effort to use. Other tools require training and are linked to skill certifications and retraining as needed or required.
The issue with this tool (IT Solution), for non-IT people at a company (e.g., management and operations) is that IT Solutions are new. With something that is new, there are unknowns. You might buy something that: you out-grow in a year, creates new demands on existing personnel, or stops being offered by the company that created it.
Here are ideas to keep in mind as you start using these IT Solutions:
- Use your IT people (employees and vendors) as a resource to filter out IT Solutions that will not work. To do this, they must know your business’ operational needs. IT people that do not subscribe to this should not be used. They will hinder finding a solution because they will not understand what you really need.
- Make a list of the features and functions this tool should be able to do. This will be refined into a wants and needs list that can be evaluated through SWOT Analysis and presented in an RFI/RFP/RFQ.
- As you are making the list, stay focused on long-term goal of the project in order to prevent feature-creep.
- If you are looking for IT Solutions for multiple operations, look for the best system for each operation and the ability to link the different systems together. Do not look for one IT Solution to be used by all operational units. Do not convince yourself to create the IT Solution in-house.
WHERE IT ENDS
A company that doesn’t feel it needs to utilize IT Solutions or doesn’t follow systematic and structured approaches to using IT Solutions in its operations is putting itself at a competitive disadvantage.
A company that proactively inserts IT Solutions into its operations is able to attract the best employee talent and will grow its business by offering the best-value products and services to its customers.
Successfully implementing and using IT Solutions requires detailed planning, knowledge-workers, and regular evaluation. This adds value to your company. Your company is more responsive to its customers and will get new customers from the companies that put IT Solutions as back-burner projects. ■
About the Author James Magee is a partner at CFA Software, Inc. He has been a software developer and systems analyst since 1984. He has also worked as a network administrator and IT manager. He has worked with fleet and equipment maintenance service operations for more than 25 years. James is currently the product manager at CFA Software. He can be reached at mageej@cfasoftware.com, or 630.543.1410.
Modern Contractor Solutions, August 2014
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