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RE: Seen the STC Survey on May 22? (Was: TC definition)
Subject:RE: Seen the STC Survey on May 22? (Was: TC definition) From:"Lauren" <lauren -at- writeco -dot- net> To:"'Michael West'" <mbwest -at- bigpond -dot- com>, <techwr-l -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com> Date:Sat, 31 May 2008 11:51:25 -0700
> From: Michael West
> Computers and software and related products are produced,
> sold, and serviced
> by the IT industry. These products and services are the
> primary product of
> the IT industry. But they are *used* in many other industries.
Well the first part of that assertion is waaay off, although the last part
is accurate. IT has nothing to do with producing, selling, or servicing
computers. Those functions belong to the computer industry. Information
technology uses computers, but IT primarily supports human interfaces with
technological tools that tend to include computers, but it also include data
storage, networks, and some telecom.
Here's an example. Let's say, Bob's Car Sales sells cars on the Internet.
His employees use computers to access the Internet and to run diagnostics on
the cars that Bob sells. The Internet is collective tool for Bob's Car
Sales. The Internet is not a part of IT, although IT is used to support
internet technology.
Bob requires IT to coordinate how his employees will use computers (computer
technology) to diagnose cars (automotive technology), how his employees and
customers will interface (human interface design) with the Internet
(internet technology), and how he will ultimately sell cars (business
purpose). All of these things, except automotive technology, are a part of
IT, but these things are not "IT." Automotive technology in this case is a
technology unique to Bob's Car Sales IT needs that IT for Bob's must
incorporate.
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