Moving Words – Technology

Written by Timothy Brady.

“The first rule of any technology used in a business is that automation applied to an efficient operation will magnify the efficiency. The second is that automation applied to an inefficient operation will magnify the inefficiency.”  – Bill Gates

Technology, as long as it’s treated like any tool and not a replacement for lack of knowledge, is a good thing. It becomes a problem when it is a replacement for knowledge. This statement goes right along with the quote from Bill Gates. Whether the company as a whole or the individual is inefficient, technology will be more of a hindrance than a help. So anyone hoping implantation of a new technology is going to make a non-techie person more productive is likely wasting time and money. Therefore it’s important to know the technology tolerance of the people who will be using any new system.

Here’s a list of things to consider when bringing a new or even improved technology on board.

Know the technical levels, the needs and expectations of your end users. If you haven’t done the research into who will be using the new system, you need to do so. This research and analysis will help you understand what those working with the technology want and what they can actually handle.

Know what you want to accomplish. It’s absolutely necessary before sitting down with your technology provider that you have a list of the fundamental aspects your ideal solution must provide. This list needs to be tremendously focused, depending on the environment of the appraisal.

How do you do that if you’re not a technology person and not sure exactly what solution will work best? Establish a solid set of basic needs to start your evaluation and then acquire your knowledge of each area at the point you know your detailed requirements. For example, when choosing a wireless platform for your estimating people, you can develop an evaluation criteria set such as the following:
Performance Capabilities and Bench Marks
User Interface Capabilities
Security and Authorization Criteria
Connectivity/Integration Needs
Cross-Platform Independence
Manageability: Apps, Data, Devices
Maintenance/Support Criteria

In other words, know what’s important to your operation going into the evaluation. The provider needs to demonstrate these to you in a live environment, using real data to make sure the solution is correct for you.

Make sure you and the technology provider are on the same page. This sounds simple enough; however, all too often disconnects occur between the technology people giving recommendations and the business people who must sort through technology’s minutia to make that “correct” decision.

Have the following parameters set: budget, time frame for completion, end users and how you want the application to function. Make sure the provider has a complete understanding of your objectives and that his/her proposed solution actually matches your needs. Ask them to repeat back to you, preferably in plain English and not ‘geek speak,’ what they understand are your goals. Having both you and the provider clearly understanding your goals is critical. Invest the time to accomplish this and it will make the process run much smoother with far fewer rewrites and corrections.

Look past what you know when looking for a provider. When assessing ‘commercials’ for the technology solution, there is usually a market leader, then there are mid-market choices, and several “up-and-comers.” Use a simple touchstone: Which solution best meets the selection criteria? Brings the most value to your needs? Fits within the budget?

Although relatively unconventional, it’s best to search for those providers who are market leaders and have longevity in rich functionality and who are also market leaders in lower pricing. That experience and knowledge is the reason many of these vendors can provide the functionality and price you need.

It’s very easy for anyone to create software and put it up for sale. In fact, it’s not too difficult to get Venture Capital to do that. The reality is that good software does not always make a good business. History has proven too many companies come into a market with a lot of VC cash or ideas, only to disappear within a few years because the business was unsustainable. When making an investment in technology, consideration should be given to whether that vendor will be around to support you and improve the product for many years into the future.

Choosing a technology solution can be an intimidating undertaking and sorting through the technology vernacular and inherent complexities can be challenging; however, it doesn’t have to be as difficult as it might seem.

Most significantly, clearly define your business goals for the problem that you’re wanting to solve. Maintain a defined and impartial perspective, making sure that you and your technology vendor are on the same page. Use distinctive criteria to determine the best choice for your specific situation – and then choosing the right technology can be accomplished painlessly and efficiently.