Business in 21st century: Crucial role of IT

For any business, the decisions made by the management are responsible for its success or failure - these are the choices that either make or break a company. The managers decide on how to run the business, but taking these decisions is a difficult challenge - taking decisions that set off a chain-reaction of either negative or positive results.
With the fast speed at which technology is developing and IT is expanding, it is no wonder that one must be up-to-date with the best available workstations and the finest software. It not only is a lucrative means of productivity, in terms of automating many manual processes and numerous software that help boost the overall functionality of an organisation, but the level at which the potential of these options can be utilised is contingent on the make and model of the workstations used and the software installed in them. Undoubtedly, a firm must be careful about what kind of PC, OS, and other relative accessories and software would be ideal to suit the purpose of their usage for the company. In case of a firm that requires support and speed in order to provide online services, like Clickbd or Bikroy.com or any foreign company like Ebay, Amazon and Facebook or any kind of social media, their hardware and software needs may be different than say, those firms who require sophistication in their systems to sustain innovation and development, like Microsoft or Apple. In some cases, the hardware may be more important that the software, say perhaps for those firms who require a lot of memory storage for raw data, like DHL, FedEx and UPS. And then there are firms like YouTube or any kind of web-based streaming company who are dependent on the server software as that is the main link between customers and the offer.
As IT stitches itself into the infrastructure of the company, interweaving everyone within it, its function and value is proved more critical by the minute. Since almost every company has an IT perspective to it, the loss or malfunction of any one hardware or software in the organisation may let loose the domino effect of devastating outcomes. Companies may lose complex and confidential business information, not to mention large chunks of their customer base, and may even end up compromising the company's policies on quality, delivery, supply, etc. Management must take decisions on what kind of hardware and software would be appropriate for the Sometimes, hardware problems are more troublesome than software hence they certainly require excellent research and good purchase decisions. A good amount of knowledge is required in addition to a little bit of research. If an organisation is buying individual components separately, they must know their importance and functionalities in order to select a good component. With all kinds of information available on the web, it is easy to search, compare, and select the components online. A computer system requires a few components just for the system to actually be usable. It begins with the CPU which is in charge of the complex calculations that are necessary to process commands. It is considered as the brain of the computer system and the component that processes the instructions that you or other programs give to the system. The better the CPU, the faster the system performance becomes overall. Then count on RAM drive, which allows computer to move faster, help CPU to work faster. It is like a virtual platform for CPU memory. Depending on need, one more important thing for companies which work with graphics.
They should consider Advance graphic acceleration that allows users to get best out of their graphic works. Companies which are engaged in website business, they need strong Internet connection and network control adapter or Ethernet controller. Selecting the software to complement the hardware is just as crucial. Depending on computer software system, company can define its uses. Microsoft Word very well knows of the wants and needs of companies.  Many software, like Citrix or any kind of windows enhancement software, are also boosting their sales, although they don't come cheap. In some cases, it's more costly then a desktop computer. For example, Microsoft Office 2010 is like around 32000BDT or USD400 whereas a good desktop PC is around 22000BDT or USD300. So, the management's decision about their system and software must focus on their cost and maintenance. There are thousands of applications and software available in the market that many companies use based on their needs. So management plays a vital role in selecting application and software for their company for proper use of their system. For an organisation, the major reason to buy IT applications is to effectively and efficiently support one or more business process. More importantly, the business objectives should be identified for the solution being sought.
The writer is an MBA graduate,  Department of Marketing,  School of Business, Long island University Brooklyn campus - New York, USA. [email protected]