Information Technology in an Organization

Information Technology Failures and Possible Remedies

Also known as Infocomm or Information and Communications Technology (ICT , Information Technology (IT ) is characterized as the application of different technological advances like electronic computers and computer software in the management and processing of information in various settings ranging from large corporations , government and private offices , educational systems , and others . According to Wikipedia (2007 Information Technology as practiced in these different areas has to do with maximizing the uses of HYPERLINK /wiki /Electronics " electronic HYPERLINK /wiki /Computer " computers , HYPERLINK /wiki /Computer_software " computer software , and other so

called technological gadgets and mechanisms to convert , store , protect process , HYPERLINK /wiki /Transmission_ 2528telecommunications 2529 transmit , and retrieve information ' However , any innovation technology , or probably anything man-made , regardless of how scientifically-grounded it is or experimentally-proven has its flaws and limitations . This goes to show for Information Technology . The website of Computerworld records the Top Ten Corporate Information Technology Failures . The list includes

PROJECT : Confirm ' reservation system for hotel and system for hotel and rental car bookings . The companies involved were AMR Corporation Budget Rent A Car Corporation , Hilton Hotels Corporation , and Marriott International Incorporated

PROJECT : Conversion to a new -entry system from The Baan Corporation . This project involved the Snap-On Incorporated

PROJECT : SAP ERP system . This project involved the FoxMeyer Corporation

PROJECT : SAP ERP system . This project involved the W . W . Grainger Incorporated

PROJECT : Trips ' reservation and bus-dispatch system . This project involved the Greyhound Lines Incorporated

PROJECT : IBM-led installation and integration of SAP , Manugistics Group Incorporated and and Siebel Systems Incorporated software . This project was primarily invested by the Hershey Foods Corporation

PROJECT : Systems integration with merger target Consolidated Rail Corporation . The project involved the Norfolk Southern Corporation

PROJECT : New billing and claims-processing system based on Unix International and Oracle Corp . databases . This project was initiated by the Oxford Health Plans Incorporated

PROJECT : Oracle Corp . ERP and application integration . This project included the Tri Valley Growers

PROJECT : Software for estimating project costs and figuring engineering specifications , to be built and installed by Andersen Consulting . This project was initiated by the Universal Oil Products LLC

Based on this controversial list of Top Ten Corporate Information Technology Failures that was ranked based on the companies ' amount of financial losses or damages sought in lawsuits , it is seen that the failures commonly arise from two sets of problems . One set of problems or failures are due to the technical insufficiency and flaws of the software that were to be used . The other set of problems or failures on the other hand are because of management issues and disagreements , more so with a project that is set forth by a group of different companies According to Jim Carroll , a known speaker who examines the different areas of how to cope with technological changes including leadership and management in line with the evolving technological world around us the key to dealing with technological failure is to prepare for it The more precise steps to accomplish this is to have a corporate contingency plan...