(By Info-Tech Analyst Mauricio Rodriguez - Reprinted with permission from Processor magazine www.processor.com).
A lack of business perspective on the part of IT decision makers is arguably the main reason why technology initiatives fail to deliver business value. IT projects must not be about technology but instead about creating business value through technology. IT managers who focus too much on technology can only expect minimal or even negative returns from their IT investments.
It's Pretty Cool. Let's Do It!
I recently spoke with an IT manager who proudly told me he was buying mobile devices for his CRM (customer relationship management) users to allow them to access the system from anywhere, at anytime. When I asked why he thought this was a good idea and how he was expecting to increase revenue or enhance productivity, he seemed surprised. He was neither expecting nor realizing any returns from this investment. However, he was convinced that having a mobile workforce was a necessity in this day and age. "Users need mobile devices to access the system when they are away," he replied. "Have you seen Siebel running on a BlackBerry? It's pretty cool."