Managing Information Technology

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Managing Information Technology

• Tom Carroll
• Network Communications International

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Tom Carroll
March 15, 1994
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Business has Embraced Technology

• Decrease cost improved profit margins
• Banks, groceries, home improvement
• Employee self service
• Employee training
• Videoconferencing vs. travel

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Law Enforcement has Embraced Technology

• Data communications
• Crime statistics
• Criminal information
• Officer safety and productivity
• Less lethal weapons
• CVPI vs. stock Crown Victoria

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More important than Finance?

• Harvard Business School (MBA)
• Information Tech is one of five courses
• FBI SA Applicant Categories
• 1994 CPA, JD, Language, Other
• 2004 Computer Sci. and Electrical Engineering
• Washington AG Rob McKenna
• HITS Database
• High Tech Crime
• Computer Forensics

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Todays Presentation?

• Business problems should drive IT solutions use
  sound management practices
• Challenges of managing IT staff
• Understand the cost of IT projects
• Actions you can take to become a better customer
  or manager or of IT services

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IT serves the business . . . not the other way
around

• Business problems should drive IT solutions
• Use the organizations business plan to start
• Align every IT initiative to the business plan
• Measure IT performance based on business success
• Use sound management practices to assess IT
  contribution and budget
• If the investment doesn't clearly support the
  business, stop doing it

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Decision to include a motor detachment or a helo?

• Morale? Esprit de corps?
• Tradition? Labor pressures?
• Cost/Benefit Analysis, aligned with the mission
  of the department
• IT investments require the same unbiased
  assessment

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IT Staff Challenges

• Bias
• Pickups Ford vs. Chevy Vs. Dodge
• Chainsaws Stihl vs. McCulloch vs. Husqvarna
• Hardware platform Mainframe vs. Client/Server
  vs. Web-based
• Software roll-your-own vs. Commercial-off-the-
  Shelf (COTS)
• What business are you in, Law Enforcement or
  Information Technology?

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IT Staff Challenges

• Sound processes yield predictable results
• Professional degrees and education matter
• Ponytails do not
• Most it staff are home grown
• Skilled professionals do not come cheap
• BSCS 45-57K MSCS 52-77K
• IT Staff Behavior
• Only know what they know
• Resist outside help and advice
• Resist change and baffle with B.S.

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Total Costs of IT

• Planning and Design Costs
• Hardware and Software
• Interfaces to existing systems
• Telecommunications costs
• Facilities
• Training of users and support staff
• Dual operations
• Maintenance and Support

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Take Aways

• Take any technology class available
• Install a wireless network in your home
• Get an IPOD and use it
• Build a simple MS Access database for work or
  home
• Ask questions!
• Embrace technology (before it embraces you)!

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Questions?

• Tom Carroll
• tom.nci_at_comcast.net