What exactly is IT?

They did have a definition, but I thought yours was much better. The part about getting Brent Spiner to play Data at a five year old's birthday party was great.

Honestly, they said the same thing you did.

This helped, but now I think I need to branch out a little. Where does one draw the line? I don't believe everything that involves using a computer is IT. An example would be Data Entry.

by cactus pete Feb 18, 2003

Well, given that I have always had a customer service bias to any position I've held, I feel you have to draw a fuzzy line.

Data entry may not be your responsibility, but it could very well be your job to make that position as efficient as possible.

IT penetrates all the other departments, even Sanitation. The CIO or the manager should be working at a level to know the users' and customers' needs and you should feed them information about what options they have to exercise.

If you draw a clear line in the sand and say "This is that for which we are responsible" be sure to draw a wavy line beyond that and say, "But we understand that we may be able to help and assist up to this point."

This allows you to introduce the idea of priorities. For instance, [and this can vary wildly depending on the ultimate cause for your organization] which is more important: general internet access, or the monitor working for a data entry grunt in accounting?

As the database admin, I'm surprised you're tasked with the CIO's job.

by ghstinshll Feb 18, 2003

IT is way too grey to define in a dictionary, unless Webster's has a definition, I'm not sure. What's for certain if that like anything, the scope of IT, per work covered by the IT department must be outlined in order for the department to functionproperly. If this isn't done, then the future remains grey as well.

Of course it's not defined! Last time I mentioned that, I was told that I am much to idealistic.

by ghstinshll Feb 18, 2003

My boss likes to say...

"If it has electricity running through it, then it must fall under the scope of the IT Dept..."

Of course this is in parody of the rediculous calls we get from our users some times.

by madroxxx Feb 19, 2003

I got asked to service a typewriter! A freakin Typewriter!!! Not to mention A.C, Alarms, etc.

I got asked to repair the digital dashboard in our company car. When they felt I wasn't a team player and confronted me in front of the CEO I said: " Why would I want to waste our valuable time and resources on something that is still on warranty and you just have to schedule and drive across town to get it fixed? I just don't understand, could you please explain?" Boy was he mad :)

I'm now considering actively trying to take over Operations lately, so this discussion is timely for me :) I can fire them all and get their budget and save money & time for our company....

Maybe we should all first acquire the entire operations budget, THEN define IT.... come to think of it, the accountants position falls mainly into electroninc tracking and storage these days... hmmmmmm, maybe I could own the purse strings.... heheheh

Don't forget the calculators. We get the typewriters, calculators, magnetic door locks, security system, etc.

by cactus pete Feb 18, 2003

So, there's an IT department in your company, but no definition of what it's supposed to be there for?

An interesting scenario, indeed.

I like the first response [from Ducky], but any definition of what IT is, is relative to each company. Whois pentultimately in charge of IT there? [the person directly reporting to the CEO about IT matters] Find the job description for that person, and copy it.

"Find the job description for that person, and copy it."

Nice thought, but doesn't exist. We just hired a CIO, but last I talked to him he doesn't have a job description. Believe it or not, that is on his to-do list.

(State agency - in a state that is a little behind most)

by admin Feb 18, 2003

We try to always be developing the specifics in the job descriptions. IMO there is no job that is defined as IT. That is too broad.

You can do a task analysis though and define it specifically in a company, department, and individual job description.

I apologize in advance for not answering directly. If it is not helpful, please disregard, but it may be that you have the wrong question being handed down, and behind it is the base question, possibly: "what should your department or employees specifically be doing?" then again, maybe not. help is where you find it :)

I wish you well in your quest!

The job descriptions are available, but they aren't what I am supposed to be looking for. Don't ask me why, because I don't have the slightest clue.

I think they are trying to reclassify the positions of the people in my department. The reasoning behind this would be some rumors working their way through the mill, that the administration of my department is taking way too seriously.
--btw-- the rumors have been circulating for longer than I have worked here...

I think you are getting closer to the source of this issue. To me, I would take seriously the thought that: "I am really not sure what the question I was given is supposed to mean, and I really can't ask for clarification." and realize that by defining IT your particular "rock and a hard place" is that your CIO\boss possibly does not want it defined, as this suits their interest in some way, and that the "they" here (is it administration?): "I think THEY are trying to reclassify the positions of the people in my department." have an interest in ultimately re-writing the job descriptions or scope of your department.

It looks to me like you are getting caght in the middle with this one, and if I were in your position I would stop trying to look at the very big picture, because if I understand correctly, in your position you should not have to solve a larger issue within your company. I would just give a description based somewhat on current job descriptions whether or not it's perfect and let them get on with their battle while I did the rest of my job well. They can they do what they are supposed to be doing and change them (or write them!)to end this sort of working condition. It sounds to me like you are being asked to get inthe middle of two powerful forces in your workplace and I would conject that neither will be satisfied with whatever you did trying to solve the Big Picture since they are at odds with each other. Anything you can do to get them handling this directly between each other would be helpful IMO.

I hope I am understanding this correctly, you will be the one to know if this approach is possible or helpful :)

by tlath1972 Feb 19, 2003

I would say that IT is making sure people in the company know how to use technology and making sure that it does what they need it to do and everything else to support them.

I think maybe I should narrow the field of inquiry...

I work in a State agency that does building maintenance (among other similar things). We have 4 'IT' people. One is the manager, one is the database administrator, and then there are two others that share the PC Maintenance. The network and servers are taken care of by another division. With the only exception being my database servers.

We are often tasked with other things due to the 'other duties as assigned'. Pinning down the particulars of what we should be doing is getting interesting. I am really not sure what the question I was given is supposed to mean, and I really can't ask for clarification. I'm kinda resigned to shooting in the dark.

by maxwell edison Feb 18, 2003

IT (information technology) is a term that encompasses all forms of technology used to create, store, exchange, and use information in its various forms (business data, voice conversations, still images, motion pictures, multimedia presentations, and other forms, including those not yet conceived). It's a convenient term for including both telephony and computer technology in the same word. It is the technology that is driving what has often been called "the information revolution."

http://tinyurl.com/61jw

and if I used the proper description I would be responsible for the phone system, PDA's, presentation needs, the instruments in our company cars and the list goes on and on.

In my company, many things I am capable of fixing and are IT related are actually the scope of Operations, but our Operations Manager is always trying to get us to fix this stuff because then his budget looks better and ours the worse for it.

This is why I think in context, it may not be good to take on a strict IT definition. We thought about it once- we could have a big department and relegate current Operations down to almost nothing. Even buying paper is seen as a "should be IT- it's online" sort of thing. Problem is, they then want us to conform to an industry standard IT % of the gross budget.

I had a problem with that :)

by maxwell edison Feb 19, 2003

I don't do copy machines and I don't do phones.

by thamer Feb 18, 2003

(IT) Applied computer systems - both hardware and software, and often including networking and telecommunications, usually in the context of a business or other enterprise. It is often the name of the part of an enterprise that deals with all things electronic.

The term "computer science" is usually reserved for the more theoretical, academic aspects of computing, while the vaguer terms "information systems" (IS) or "information services" may include more of the human activities and non-computerised business processes like knowledge management.

....

Note that IT is an acronym for more than 43 terms plus the chat acronym: "Imagine That." ..!

by jardinier Feb 18, 2003

We all know that IT is an acronym for Information Technology. So it should include anything to do with the transference, storage, or manipulation of INFORMATION using any TECHNICAL DEVICE. This would presumably include telecommunications, both fixedand mobile, radio, television, the good old morse code telegraphy and yes, even computers.
I think your supervisor has a real problem. Talking to your wife or girlfriend on the telephone, listening to the baseball on a radio, logging into a naughtysite on your work computer etc ... would all come within the broadest definition of using Information Technology. Of course you couldn't write notes, or have a face-to-face conversation, because these tasks do not involve technology.

Wry. :)

by grommitsteed Feb 18, 2003

IT is a two-letter word used as a referral to inanimate objects.

That was exactly what I needed. I will turn that definition in right away.

I don't have anything against doing whatever is needed. It is more a matter of reporting time spent on IT tasks as opposed to other tasks.

I probably got this task because it is well known that I don't know how to say no...

We don't exactly work for the CIO, so this is more of a departmental thing...

The goal is to have all IT people working for state agencies to eventually work for the CIO, but that hasn't happened yet. With the way things work around here, that may not happen in my lifetime either.

I am quickly coming to just that conclusion. I gave them what I found based on Malard's link to www.webopedia.com, and what the current position descriptions in the department are. That will have to work (it was not appreciated), and I will continue doing my job and drop the 'wild-goose chase'.

by cactus pete Feb 19, 2003

One of the things NOT a responsibility of a db admin would be writing up upper management's work...

Sorry you're caught in this. Perhaps it's time to learn that word: no :P

I'm getting to that point. It's just not fun dealing with the threats to my job...

by cactus pete Feb 19, 2003

Well, that is a different topic, isn't it?

Maybe you're such a good worker that you just don't look busy enough.

by mallardtooxx Feb 19, 2003

Boy you must be from Indiana, cause that is what they are always doin to me. If I were you I would tell your current CIO to blow it out his jackhole and do it him/her self. It is not the Job of a DB admin to define IT, It is the job of a DB admin to make sure the DATA (see the call back here) is maintained in a safe and secure manner. I have guys that would do what you are doin now if I asked them to. Thank you for reminding me that MY job is to make their job easier :-) There are times when management forgets that they actually have to work for their checks. If these guys come down on you then screw them because you have given them the best definitions they will ever find anywhere. Good job and good luck

-duck

It's more to do with the expectations I set over the last 3 years. I am learning the hard way that the more you do, the more you are expected to do. Also, there is the statement used by way too many people in state government (at least in this particular midwest state). "If you want something done, give it to a busy person."

by mallardtooxx Feb 19, 2003

now I tell you what at the time i had no idea what a dictaphone was but i was a little scared lemme tell you. Just say the word in slow puzzlement and ad the midwestern propensity to insert ta in for to. Yeah I thought the same thing.....thank GodI was wrong =)

-duck(taphone)

by jellimonsta Feb 19, 2003

I was wondering if you had any opening under you? :) I have not heard such words come from upper managment before. This company seems to firmly act upon the

Dilbert
principle

and I fully believe in the Monkey on the ladder analogy (further you look up all you see is @ss holes). In all seriousness though, it would be refreshing to work 'under' someone who has his finger on the pulse, and feet on the ground.