Using technology as a business tool...
How much computer do you need? |
Using technology as a business tool... How much computer do you need? |
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Technology is ever changing, at a very rapid pace. Depending on your level of technical knowledge, expectations of what technology can do will vary widely. Even those who have been around technology for years will sometime make the most common of errors by buying individual devices, without planning how they fit into the total picture. In business today you hear a lot about the thirty thousand foot view. It's all about looking at the total picture, rather than any one thing. Too often people set out shopping for a computer with a hardware list of gigabytes and megahertz, without first making a list of what they expect the computer to do for them. This is the most common reason for unfulfilled expectations when it comes to technology. Never lose sight of the fact that technology is just a tool. The finest tools do not turn a novice craftsman into a master. Your financial advisor will tell you the importance of sound financial planning, so if so if you view a computer as a tool to automate your life, it makes sense to plan your technology purchases. Planning involves some work, but all you need to get started is a pencil and paper. Starting on a piece of paper, write down your thoughts on a few basic questions. What is in it for me, what benefits do you expect from the system? If you could have anything, what would it be? What would you like to have available to you? People end up being very disappointed and even angry when they actually start to work with technology because it isn't what they thought it would be. It is also good to set expectations first because you may be surprised as to things you can do. Think about some specific tasks. How much letter writing or report writing will you do? Word processing is still at the top of the list of applications. The desktop computer has made the desktop typewriter a distant memory in most offices. The next question is how much will you do with accounting, ledgers, or just plain "number crunching"? Next write down what index card files, or filing cabinet files would I like to be able to search more efficiently. What other office functions can your computer do for you? PC telecommunications is a rapidly growing field. Would you like to receive electronic mail, faxes, or other formerly paper messages at your desktop? Start your technology planning as a list of tasks. When you start looking at a computer as a tool which can accomplish tasks, rather than a box full of megahertz and gigabytes, your life will be alot more computer friendly. As you focus more of what a computer can do, rather than try to understand the buzz words and jargon, technology will make more sense to you. Once you have an idea of what you expect out of your computer, the next step is to think about your software needs. In our next column, we will focus on software. |
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