The IT department ‘Orly’

Presenter: With the level of technological integration into nearly every

facet of life and business, it’s practically essential for companies, large or small,
have an Information Technology, or IT, department to handle all the technological
issues that arise.

Most of us probably don’t know much about the IT department beyond the
fact that they’re the ones who occasionally come by to install new software or fix
computer-related problems. And while those are among IT’s general
responsibilities, that’s just the tip of the iceberg. The truth is, the IT department
does much of their work behind the scenes, and may be much more integral to your
company’s success than you realize.

Overview of IT Department Responsibilities

One of the biggest drivers of a successful business is efficiency, and the

ability to automate routine tasks is a great way to increase overall efficiency. By
and large, the IT department is responsible for providing the infrastructure for this
automation.

At an even more basic level, by implementing the governance for the use of
network and operating systems, the IT department enables the company’s
employees to communicate, collaborate and automate routine tasks, and generally
provide teams with the functionality they need to perform their duties.

It's important to note that although the IT department implements and

facilitates the flow of information, it doesn't create the policy that defines which
information is correct or accessible to others.

Here are a few of the things the IT department does besides reboot your
computer:

The Three Major IT Functions

Governance refers to the implementation of operational parameters for

working units and individuals' use of IT systems, architecture, and networks. In
layman’s terms, they enact the rules about how you and your team can use the
company’s technology and what you can use it for. This is part of the conventional
IT security as well as the data assurance for which the IT department is also
responsible.
 Infrastructure refers to the hardware components, the network, the
circuitry and all other equipment necessary to make an IT system function
according to the established needs and system "size" of the company.

Functionality is perhaps the most visible task performed by the IT

department, and therefore what they’re most commonly associated with in many
workers’ minds. It refers to creating and maintaining operational applications;
developing, securing, and storing electronic data that belongs to the organization;
and assisting in the use of software and data management to all functional areas of
the organization.

IT Network Responsibilities

The IT department oversees the installation and maintenance of computer

network systems within a company. This may only require a single IT employee,
or in the case of larger organizations, a team of people working to ensure that the
network runs smoothly.

The IT department must evaluate and install the proper hardware and
software necessary to keep the network functioning properly. As this involves
working within a budget allocated to the department for network devices and
software, the IT department must make sure that the equipment it invests in will
optimally serves the needs of the company without going over budget.

Networks can be simple or extremely complex depending upon their size

and composition. In addition to staying current on trends within business
technology, IT employees may require college degrees in a computer field to
adequately handle the issues that arise in maintaining such a network.

Network Contingencies

Should a network system go down, the repercussions can be costly -- not

just to the company and its operations, but outside entities that require products or
services from the company. These outside entities could be affected and lose faith
in the company's ability to provide them with what they need. The IT department
must put a crisis plan in place that can be implemented should the system go down.
It must be designed to put the network back up quickly or allow it to switch over to
an alternate system until the necessary repairs are completed.

Through the maintenance and planning of a network system, the IT

department must forge professional relationships with outside vendors and industry
experts. This helps the department employees perform their duties more efficiently
as well as stay current on the latest technology that might be beneficial to the
company for which they work.

Application Development

Quite often, companies see the main role of the IT department as creating
the applications that serve its core business needs. The right applications allow a
business to be innovative, more productive, efficient, and to move ahead of its
competitors. In many ways, this makes the IT department crucial in driving a
business forward.

The work necessary to create the applications that can set a business apart
from the others requires an IT department with programmers, analysts, interface
designers, database administrators, testers, and other professionals.

Communication

Most people are aware that the IT department is responsible for the success
of computer operations and other information technologies within a business.
However, as many new forms of electronic communication have become staples of
the modern office, IT departments have been taking on a greater role in the
technical side of company communication. This includes point to point phone
calls, conference calls, and video and web conferences, as well as less direct forms
of electronic communication like network drives, email systems, and secure
servers.

The IT department must fully understand how these systems work and
interact with each other, and is responsible for ensuring that these systems remain
operational at all times.

Company Website

The IT department is at least partially responsible for creating and

maintaining the company's website. While the content and design of the site may
be handled by another department – often Marketing – IT typically creates the code
and works with other departments to test the site for usability.

Technical Support

The IT department provides this service for all the users who need access to
the company's computer systems. This might entail installing new software or
hardware, repairing hardware that has become faulty, training employees in the use
of new software, and troubleshooting problems with the system or with an
individual's computer.
 It's apparent that not all the IT department does is apparent - it creates and
maintains many systems that go unseen or get taken for granted by employees,
creates emergency response plans to protect the business from unforeseen
problems, and constantly works to improve the entire company’s ability to function
efficiently and effectively.