Information Technology Philosophy

Information technology (IT) is solely a provider and maintainer of information gathering and handling tools to be used in the pursuit of the global purpose of the corporation.

The word tool is used to emphasise that IT deals with means not an end. A tool is a device which makes work easier, more efficient and more effective. It facilitates greater productivity and quality.

Tool Requirements

The tools we deal with must be maintained to satisfy corporate requirements and meet the following minimal requirements.

• Effective

  Effectiveness is crucial and a primary requirement of all tools. The tool must perform as specified. And be:
  • reliable - must be able to cope with day-to-day disruptions and handle them gracefully.
  • predictable - results produced must comply with specifications and conform with expectations.
  • secure - the tool must protect information from those elements which could destroy, corrupt or abuse it.
  • accessible - those with a need to access the tool, must be able to do so without undue impediment.

• Efficient

  Tool users want to see the result of their labours quickly but IT resources are expensive to maintain and upgrade. Tools must:
  • work quickly - providing the required results quickly (and accurately).
  • conserve resources - facilitating the sharing of expensive resources.
  • scale well - so that 1000 users of a tool can use it just as effectively as 10.

• Easy to use

  Tools which are easy to use, get used often. They are easy to use if they are:
  • simple - so that learning to use them is straight-forward, and repeated use not tedious.
  • transparent - so that they don't get in the way of the work being done and require intimate knowledge of its working.
  • attractive - providing a pleasing, yet not distracting environment in which the user can employ the tool for the required work.

Maintenance of Tools

• installation - to encourage use of the tool for higher productivity.
• training - to ensure that users know how to best work with the tool.
• verification - to ensure that it's working as expected.
• calibration - adjustment to changing usage profile.
• re-jigging - modifications to add new ways in which the tool can be used.
• retirement - when the tool is no longer required because its functions are obsolete or have been incorporated into another tool.