Why IT is More than Just Fixing Computers

   Last week, I read a great article on Spiceworks by Roy Atkinson on why IT is more than just fixing computers.  I think many of us in IT will agree with his points, albeit begrudgingly.  Many of us have our bad user stories, and how our users can cause us a lot of headaches.  A lot of times, our users make our lives a lot harder than they should be some times.  But without them, we wouldn't have the job that we do.

   The main reason we all have the IT job that we do is because there is a valid and much in-demand need by companies everywhere.  If technology was foolproof and as easy to use as possible, we wouldn't be here.  The one good thing history shows us is that no technology is foolproof.  Technology is a necessary thing in business today, and to some, a necessary evil.  There are still many companies out there who still push against technology because most people don't like change.  We need to recognize we're still going to deal with people like that, you just have to decide how you respond to that.

   The reason technology is used so much is because it makes someone's job easier.  By making someone's job easier, they can do more work in the same amount of time.  We are here to ensure that the employee continues to use their tools as efficiently as possible.  When that tool no longer acts in a way that the employee is used to, it hinders their efficiency, which means they can't do as much work, or they can't do work period.  We are all judged in the work place by how much work and value we provide.  When that's hindered, that puts us in a bad place.

   Our job isn't just about fixing technology and keeping it running, it's about providing support to the employee so they can continue to do their job to the best of the ability.  Technology is just another tool for everyone else in the business.  If you keep in mind that you are there to help the employees of the company, and not just ensure the server is running, that'll make you think differently in how you act to those employees.  If you can find a way to save someone five minutes a day on a task they do everyday, they will be so grateful by how much more efficient you made them.

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About Jimmy R. Tassin

Jimmy Tassin is the IT Manager of Midwest Regional Bank and has been involved with the Technology field for over thirteen years. His two hobbies are overseeing the daily operations of OmniKraft, a Minecraft server community, and writing at Goblinbyte.com.