IT More than a Commodity

A shocking statement by Ashlee Vance at Bloomberg BusinessWeek has sent ripples across the IT community. He had, as many felt, had the audacity to make the preposterous assertion that ‘IT simply doesn't matter.’ This was strongly rebuked and met with sarcasm considering the pivotal role IT plays in the generation of revenue in this technological age; and to think that the basis for his argument is actually based on an article by Harvard Business Review's Nick Carr, way back in 2003 is somewhat seemingly amusing, no pun intended. Jonathan Hassel of CIO has come out in defense for the IT sector zealously advocating, in four simple terms, the essence of IT in today’s corporate arena.

Let us evaluate these following four characteristics that should give us and Ashlee too, an idea about the significance of IT with regards to contemporary tech organizations:

1)Outsourcing doesn’t diminish the importance of IT- Although through outsourcing, a company lends some aspects of technological information to a foreign source, the role of IT doesn’t get subjugated as it plays its part in the effective integration of technology, driving business value and hence reducing costs through smart computing.
2)Potential dynamic role of IT- A congenial environment with ample space and time for the IT can result in wonders for the organization. IT department can then be utilized to establish a profitable sales system or inventing innovative applications for the marketing department…the potential of IT is endless. In this regard, the IT department becomes a partner in business rather than just a cost cutting medium.
3)IT an integral part just as HR or Finance- It is a widely accepted idea just that HR department and Finance department are imperative for the smooth functioning of an organization even if the core business objective doesn’t adhere to it. Likewise, IT also ensures the technological aspect of an organization is monitored although it necessarily not be an IT company.
4)IT most suited to the changing technological trends- No other sector possess the requisite expertise to comprehend the ever changing technological trends so that the organization can keep in pace with the demands of the consumers. This is unquestionably the most important attribute of IT that guarantees its survival in the years to come.

As such, labeling IT as a commodity is nothing sort of a crime where in fact it can very well be utilized as a realm for spawning innovation, the reflection of which is the technological advancement that we are witnessing today.

As Carly Fiorina, ex President and Chairwoman of Hewlett-Packard has aptly put, “Many people see technology as the problem behind the so-called digital divide. Others see it as the solution. Technology is neither. It must operate in conjunction with business, economic, political and social system.”

And who can be better entrusted to do that if not the IT department!