 | Coast Computer Technology |
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| Summary While long range planning is important in terms of enterprise growth, budgeting and customer service, it is not useful when it comes to planning for new technology. Technology changes so rapidly that long range planning for the implementation of new technology cannot be performed realistically. On the other hand, planning for the expansion of technology is useful when planning for networks, communication equipment and storage capacities. It is important to keep in mind that each of your constituencies can be affected by the outcome of your decisions. These constituencies include customers, vendors, employees, and stakeholders. Balancing each of their interests is important in an effective and efficient organization. Physical Environment Issues
Personnel Issues Skills The use of common technology means that the pool of available skilled employees is much greater and the cost of hiring them is usually more favorable to the employer.
Aptitude In addition to skills, employees with an aptitude for computing tend to perform better and experience a higher degree of satisfaction with their work. Hiring unskilled workers can often be a challenge to their supervisors and those around them. Having an aptitude for computing can go a long way toward mitigating the difficulties arising out of this situation. Employees with computing aptitude are much more easily trained and tend to retain what they have learned because they are comfortable learning the new material.
Issues of Change Some individuals have great difficulty with change, particularly if that change takes them outside their comfort zone. Getting technology users to participate in the process of assessment, planning, and implementation usually helps insure their buy in when decisions are made and the change occurs. Other individuals adjust to change easily and should still be included in the process. These individuals generally are found to have an aptitude for computing and are often passionate about it. Their insights can be of great value during the planning for change. Training The cost and quality of training is likely to be more favorable when you limit yourself to common hardware, software, and communication systems. Training on products that are custom made often requires custom training and custom curriculum which almost always costs more.
Support Obtain hardware, software, and communication systems that are in common use. This helps assure that support is widely available and reasonably priced. Unless custom designed software is really necessary, try to use off the shelf products and then write applications within them.
Goals What do you expect to accomplish using technology?
Budget Development of a competent Request for Proposal (RFP) and proper distribution of it will create a competitive bidding process which can only help reduce your overall costs of implementation. RFPs are discussed elsewhere on this web site.
If you are a non-profit or educational organization, consider having a professional Grant Application prepared for the purpose of funding the execution of winning proposal. While it takes a little longer to complete the entire process, grant funds may allow you to implement technology that might not otherwise be available to you. Reports
Implementation Strategy Whether you decide to implement the plan all at once or in increments will be determined by your individual circumstances. Don't buy more technology than you can use right now. Remember, the price of equipment tends to fall over time which means that the longer you wait, the cheaper it becomes. However, there is a cost in waiting if you need it now and don't buy it.
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