Information Technology and its Strategic Uses

INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY AND IT' Shas IT on the business world?c. What opportunities
STRATEGIC USEShave IT brought into the business areas of the
The success or failure of an organization in today'sCompany?d. Is IT of any worth to business are
highly competitive and technological business worldstudied here?
depends on how they manage to streamline the flowThe spotless blend of IT Strategy with Corporate
of information between their departments andStrategy has to be achieved through the principles of
outside world. This is where IT comes into action. ItSUIT
deals with the application of technology to automate3. QUALITY MANAGEMENT
the flow of information in an organization'sMethods of Quality Control, Audits, different
information system. The strategic opportunitiesstrategies used in TQM are dealt with in this area. As
framework enables executives to identifyQuality cannot easily be defined, the study of Quality
opportunities for strategic use of IT.Control and its upkeep deserve our keen involvement
The main areas to be considered to study theand interest.
effects of IT are:IT can be used to develop new products or
1. DEVELOPING AN INFORMATION TECHNOLOGYprocesses or to improve existing products and
STRATEGYprocesses so as to achieve a competitive edge in the
Issues like Critical Success Factors, IT planning andmarket or to effect significant improvements in
manpower are considered. Manpower is veryinternal operations. The natural potential importance
important as it can decide on the Strategy beingof IT for an organization depends upon the
successful or not.information intensity of processes and the
2. STRATEGIC USE OF INFORMATIONinformation content of the products. The strategic
TECHNOLOGYuse of IT in an organization is necessary for the
This is a broad area where a lot of core issues comebending of the IT strategy into the corporate
up. Questions likea. Is IT necessary?b. What impactstrategy.