Question

End user computing------in some cases an organization’s information system (IS) is planned and centered on specific goals; in other cases, technology is an afterthought to the actual business objectives. Can you think of examples of how technology has altered the way we do business today? Were those changes and implementations accomplished by understanding the goals of the business?

Answer 1

With respect to end-user computing, in organizations, their Information System (IS) is indeed planned, designed, changed, developed, integrated, implemented, and revolved around, and used on specific goals. And yet, in other cases, either for the same organization or other organizations, the very same IS technology is an afterthought to the actual business objectives and specific goals.

Examples of how technology has altered the way we do business today:
Technology has definitely and literally altered the way we do business today, especially, the IS technology. Technology has changed every aspect of the way our businesses are operated, run, and delivered.

Examples:

* Almost all aspects of the business of an organization can be managed remotely, provided the person handling those things, jobs, tasks, etc., has a desktop PC, smart device, phone, or tablet installed and running correct software. This becomes even more easy, less expensive, flexible, convenient, quick, seamless, efficient, and effective if he/she has a mobile device, such as a mobile phone, mobile POS machine, etc. In fact, the business itself can be completely made with mobile solutions.

* Organizations can use Cloud Computing technology, which is basically, the organizations' IS technology been outsourced to a third-party public Cloud Service Provider (CSP). A company can even use Cloud Computing technology to provide them 100% of IS technology, where the company's entire Information Technology (IT) infrastructure is on an isolated network in the public CSP's cloud platform. Thus, allowing the company to concentrate on its core business to manufacture, or develop the products, services, solutions, software, hardware, appliances, etc., they have expertise in.

* Social media impact and other digital footprint: This is an environment, where all the company, their customers, any other potential customers, users, partners, clients, media, public, etc., are online 24/7 and 365 days a year, and any and all information about the organization, their services, products, solutions, customer service, testimonials, reviews, feedbacks, etc. all appear on the Internet and remain there forever either on the company's official website, or any other review, rating, blog, or consumer complaints websites. Social media lets all the above-mentioned players to contact one another, communicate, and collaborate together to do business. Social media also lets a company to go global in just minutes. All the users and customers can connect to the Internet and access and use an organization's information, their products, solutions, services, buy and order them online irrespective of their demographics, geographical locations, financial background, or even social status. So, digital footprint, social identity, and reputation online are very important to a company to do its business.

Yes, those changes and implementations were accomplished by understanding the goals of the business.
In every step and in every layer of the core business goals, activities, jobs, tasks, etc., and any other changes and implementations that are accomplished are understood, and a relevant, appropriate, correct, effective, efficient, convenient, flexible, time-saving IS technology is used. Every time any IS technology tool, appliance, software, hardware, network, service, or solution is used, the concerned team checks to see to ensure the output or outcome of that usage of the technology delivered and achieved the organization's specific goals, core business objectives, values, products, services, and solutions.

However, there are organizations and businesses out there which do use IS technology as an afterthought to the actual business objectives, to only use IS technology as an enhancement tool, equipment, help, or a guide to accomplish the core business goals. These organizations for different reasons do not believe, trust, and rely on modern-day IS technology. These organizations started on their own, established their business, developed and manufactured their products, services, solutions, and marketed and delivered the same, without any technology, using only primitive methods and techniques, manual labor, and other tools pieces of equipment, and solutions. This would have taken more time, labor (manual and other labor), more, energy, lacking convenience, spending more money, etc., however, their primitive method of doing business is, in a way, reliable, would have personal touch to it rather machine or technology touch, and can be used anytime in case, for some odd reason, they are unable to use the IS technology. Even the vice versa is true and possible. To them, IS technology is only an option and is considered only when there is an emergency to use it.

However, there are and have been cases, where certain and even many companies, adopting IS technology, have failed to meet their core or specific business goals and requirements, delivering services, products, and solutions irrelevant to their business objectives forgetting it. Or at least, their business objectives have turned in a different direction to some or large extent.