How do I do it?
Basically with a lot of smoke and mirrors. As you can see from the who I am above I am not a computer programmer. Everything I do is about matching up users with appropriate technologies. In other words I am the dreaded middle man. Although in this case I don't think it is so bad. Here's why: there are literally thousands of IT solutions for millions of needs in the world. The problem as Alvin Toffler explained in Future Shock is: "too much change in too short a period of time." This change not includes the technology but the change of business practices and processes.
Why can't the typical computer geek pick a solution?
Because they are computer geeks. ;-) But really the problem in leaving IT solutions up to IT specialists is that their focus is too narrow. Generally IT will choose either of two extremes:
- The super cool functions option
- You see this in IT driven solutions all the time. Purchasing overly complicated software with a multitude of functions of which end users typically use less than 20%.
- The easiest for IT to manage option
- In this case IT wasn't interested in the problem being requested to solve. As a result, IT will view this as outside interference in their day to day management practices and will search for a product that is is to maintain for THEM. In the process, most considerations as to the end users are subverted.
