Information Technology Management Essay

It is commonly argued in the Information Systems literature that a major(ip) reasonableness why brasss fail to exploit Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) successfully is beca physical exercise of the omit of colligation between the Information Strategy, the Business Strategy and the Organizational Strategy. The feed according to teaching sytem literature correspond to the truly happenings in the real world. According to Campbell David, 2004, technological advancement has been embraced through and through and throughout confused aspects of line of in the flesh(predicate) line of credit, academics, finance and rateance.The opus addresses one key component of cultivation system that is finded as a challenge by organizations and business entities in the aspect of using knowledge engineering science. The key value here is conjunction between information, organization and business strategy. A major concern in this paper is to explain the precondition alig nment in the context of information engineering science. The paper addresses reasons that make alignment one of the key values organizations seek to succeed. In this first write of alignment the major concern is virtually minutes carried on in pecuniary initiations.Information technology has been adopted in the recent preceding(a) as a beam for executing and reviving business strategies in financial institutions. The development of genuine business strategies has been enhanced by retainer of values that correspond to alignment. Alignment is therefore, the capacity by a business such as a financial institution to demonstrate a strong controlling relationship between latest information technologies and the broadly speaking accepted financial guidelines. It calls for customer satisfaction, market sh ar and product innovations.These measures are all essentials in value and adopting such determines the st king and the outcome of a financial institution. Before alignment fina ncial institution chooses to match all available information technology and carry on with feasibleness study. This is because the effectiveness of a com teller squarely depends on its capacity to better or malign the organizational units. Factors to consider before alignment Planning- the trustworthy process has to be planned and agreed upon by the lovers of the financial institution.Auditors should to a fault be involved in this wield for audits, re-examinations and readjustments of the whole project. Relation to benefits alignment must be of benefit to the financial institution since it is a expensive exercise. It is of no use to adopt latest technology if the problem is controllable by changing some wariness practises. This is according Culp Christopher, 2001. For example, out gear ups like gelt and revenue do not call for information technology kind of the size and organizational structure and number of staff that dictate the crave for additional computers.Alignment must stick to its places to overcome all obstacles as resistance to change may come from many sources including the employees and customers. Advantages of alignment The latest technologies such as client sever internet, entropy warehousing has positive implications which include first, incremental profit gains. Second, internal alignment in an organization remains a success factor in employees ability to perform effectively and become a cutting edge provider of value to customers. Third, alignment acts as business watchword solutions for organization that helps in management and efficient customer satisfaction.For example, e- sticking software where customers can access their bank accounts at home without necessarily going to the banking halls. Fourth, other than saving clipping it is in addition considered a secure method than transporting money to banks. Fifth, business intelligence solutions drive home been grave aspects in financial institutions as they help to strain ou t effectively volumes of transactions within a short closure of era. For example, pay roll software that is able to calculate thousand of employees monthly dues, deductions and contributions irrespective of their earning rates within a mater of seconds.Computers have also been used to solve complicated business calculations and at the kindred time update them accordingly. Take for example where a customer gets a loan from a financial institution either on a reducing interest rate. The software exit auto calculate the interests found on the number of years the customer volition take to mop up plus the principal amount and at the said(prenominal) time stemma the information. Sixth, alignment reduces the amount of paperwork used in various departments especially in printing, faxing and laminations.This is because nowadays office memos and other information are shared online by use of internet between departments and even branches. Seven, alignment has played a key fictitious character in marketing and advertising new products through the internet. A customer can place an order and at the same time pay by transferring funds from a financial institution to account of the seller effectively. Disadvantages Alignment is a very costly exercise to an enterprise like financial institution in terms of prices and employee discipline as it calls for massive training. System change over might also be rejected by both the employees and the customers.Sometimes computers breakdown and will definitely slow the process in financial institution diminish down the total process. This leads to a massive loss and failure to gather customer enquires. For example, slowing or breakdown of machines in a Forex role dealing with foreign exchange will loose sales since notes changes value every minute. Business alignment methods Nowadays, many business transactions are relying on an efficient IT support system. It is remarkable to note the meliorate professionalism and resp onsibility in incorporate and technical fields.Many companies and especially in the financial sector have invested massively in business IT and corporate ICT. This is a very important development in creation of personal responsibility in terms of accountability, capability and commitment. However, with the changing technology certain changes are felt through continuous exercise which cannot be exploited. radical machines have to be budgeted or the old ones have to be upgraded from time to time. To achieve this objective the following steps must be put into consideration. First, planning which calls for implementation of traditional IT alignment techniques seen by many as the CEOs work.A successful IT/business alignment calls for a more interactive approach or dialogue between the IT managers. They need to clarify what the business expects, what it give ups and how to allocate (Watson Gregory, 2005). This is achieved through prioritization and putting into considerations the rules that empower and govern the IT department. A second plan or consideration used to kick in about alignment is that IT should track, adapt and modify business level functions. At the same time the use of information technology in financial institutions or any other entities should be done with a innovation of supporting appropriate support of services.Another method is ripe management of technological systems which helps to achieve the desired results through a consolidated service support by IT staff. A system need to be put in place to monitor and manage urgent or unfavourable business services. The system should prioritize service requests to enable service spoken intercourse at promised levels and also track business processes at certain levels. It is important to note that worth methods are usually required to effectively manage the IT infrastructure and implement changes.The chief executive officer and his or her managers need also to ensure that the set organization sta ndards and expectations are met through proper implementation processes. Certain considerations such as model should be considered for purpose of implementing alignment and information technologies (Selznick Philip, 1952). This involves mapping of IT assets and planning for resources that support services at critical times. It identifies the resources needed to be assembled to deliver IT services. This is done at conformable service while at the same time reducing costs.A second consideration is bill whereby the IT department should come up with methods of data collection and operational procedures all based on areas of functionality. According to Chester Arthur, 1994, the measurement methods should correspond with technology and be business oriented. In addition, the measures should ensure a more real time resource allocation decision. The consideration of various measurement principles gives an entity or enterprise the capacity to execute its duties fast. The methods applied by d ifferent entities in business alignment are deemed to measure up to set standards and cut down on costs.Alignment of costs and deliver of services through technological application gives entities the capacity to run their trading operations in a more efficient manner. Validity of alignment as a goal The role played by ICTs is paramount and unmingled in real life applications in business and organizations. As a goal, alignment is seen to support productivity and new innovation across the entire world. ICT play a very important role on look at development. Application of information technology is also seen as a tool for infrastructure development.Recently, the world economic performance has improved leading to international growth as a result of embracing information systems. The economic growth is seen to have an impact in both developed and underdeveloped countries with some developing countries recording a remarkable growth (Danis Wade, 2006). near countries have recorded a positive growth of the gross municipal product. In addition international markets trade and industrial production has been boosted through alignment. Economic development has led to a smooth global cater chains that broaden the market.A number of advantages arise as examine that alignment is a valid consideration in the scope of information technology. First, ICT is used for research to provide an organization with basic information about how to improve on performance. Organizations consider putting in place certain measures necessary to acquire information from competitors (Daghfous Abdelkader, 2006). The acquired information is essential as it helps entities to achieve their goals. Second, in the current world of changes, it is important for every organization to consider evaluating measures that support alignment to out perform their competitors.Application of ICT by entities olibanum promotes a common understanding of how transactions are carried within organizations at low cost. It is a future consideration that all entities should develop measures to excite threats of new entrants, threat exposed by bargaining powers of buyers, sellers, threat of taciturnity products and barrier to entry. According to Herman James, 2000, embracing information and communication technology will help to do away with threats imposed by five forces.A third consideration is the fact of e-commerce which is a component of electronic business. The use of information systems in carrying on with business transactions online is a true(a) reflection about the validity of alignment. The future of using information technology in the world especially in business transactions is very certain. The concept of globalization is playing a very big role in creation of favourable environment for trading. Creation of strong communication networks enables countries from different regions to carry on with business transactions online.This is one major development of information technology embraced by both developed and developing states. Every state has the mandate to promote the application of information technology through application of the necessary measures. A fourth consideration that postulate to be put in place is thorough training of individuals on how to use internet. This should be done in schools and other institutions that promote learning. Children at young age need to know how to apply technological information for purpose of establishing proper measures in business and other aspects of life.