Techonology
Techonology
By Aanand
Chaudhary
MSc CSIT TU
MBS TU
Technology Management
Modern business uses various technologies to operate
more efficiently, respond quickly to changing market
demands, and stay competitive. It’s well-known how
technology can automate routine tasks, streamline
processes, and provide quality services.
However, it can present numerous challenges for
organizations, such as staying up-to-date with
emerging technologies, managing budgets, and
integrating new systems and processes. Weak
technology management may lead to inefficiencies,
higher costs, slower innovation, increased security
risks, and alignment between investments and
business goals.
2
Concept:
Technology management involves the planning,
development, implementation, and maintenance of
technological resources within an organization. This includes
managing the creation and application of technology to
achieve organizational goals efficiently and effectively.
Technology management is the strategic and systematic
approach of coordinating and optimizing the interaction
between individuals, technology, and software products
within a company.
IT management refers to the monitoring and administration
of an organization's information technology systems:
hardware, software and networks. IT management focuses
on how to make information systems operate efficiently. Just
as important, it's about helping people work better.
Concept:
It includes managing the technology infrastructure,
applications, and processes that support business
operations and identifying and evaluating emerging
technologies for potential adoption.
IT management is a subset of technology management. It
encompasses managing all information technology
resources, including hardware, software, data, personnel,
and procedures. So, it’s a process of planning, organizing,
directing, and controlling IT infrastructure and software
applications within an organization.
The management aims to maximize the value that
technology brings to the business while minimizing risks
and costs associated with its implementation and operation.
Concept:
Integration of Technology and Management: Technology
management bridges the gap between technical expertise and
managerial skills, ensuring that technological resources are aligned
with organizational objectives.
Strategic Planning: It involves formulating strategies for the
acquisition, deployment, and utilization of technology to gain a
competitive advantage.
Resource Optimization: Technology management aims to optimize
the use of technological resources such as hardware, software, and
human capital to enhance productivity and innovation.
Risk Management: It entails assessing and mitigating risks
associated with technological investments and operations to ensure
business continuity and resilience.
Continuous Improvement: Technology management involves
fostering a culture of innovation and continuous improvement to adapt
to changing market dynamics and technological advancements.
Importance:
Enhanced Efficiency and Productivity: Effective technology
management leads to streamlined processes, automation of tasks,
and improved productivity.
Innovation and Competitive Advantage: It fosters innovation by
enabling organizations to develop and deploy cutting-edge
technologies, thereby gaining a competitive edge in the market.
Cost Reduction: Proper management of technology helps in
optimizing resource utilization, reducing operational costs, and
maximizing returns on investment.
Adaptability to Change: In today's dynamic business
environment, technology management enables organizations to
adapt to technological disruptions and market changes quickly.
Customer Satisfaction: By leveraging technology to improve
products and services, organizations can enhance customer
satisfaction and loyalty.
Why is Technology Management Important for Business Growth?
It is crucial for business growth due to several reasons:
Adaptation to New Demands
Effective technology management allows businesses to continuously adapt to new
demands, requirements, and expectations in the market. Organizations with the
necessary tools to better serve their customers, streamline key tasks, and remain
competitive.
Cost Reduction and Operational Efficiency
Technology implementation can reduce operational costs and enhance the overall
efficiency of the enterprise.
IT Strategy
IT as a strategic asset rather than just a part of daily operations is fundamental to
technology management. IT strategy, IT infrastructure, and investments with their
overall business objectives, ensuring that technology is harnessed efficiently to drive
growth.
Linking IT to Business Outcomes
Effective technology management provides the means to connect IT governance and
services to key business outcomes. It allows organizations to measure the impact of
their technology planning and technology implementation on revenue generation,
customer satisfaction, and other critical business metrics.
Competitive Advantage
Businesses that manage their technology well can innovate more rapidly, deliver
better customer experiences, and respond to market changes quicker than their
competitors. Moreover, this competitive edge can lead to market leadership and
sustained growth.
Trends of Development
The trends in technology management
development across mechanical, electrical,
electronics, and ICT sectors are characterized
by the integration of advanced technologies
and strategic management practices to drive
innovation and efficiency in organizations.
In mechanical, innovations like autonomous
driving, smart grids, robotics, and augmented
reality are prominent, showcasing the
application of engineering principles for
efficiency.
Trends of Development
In electrical, advancements in battery technology, particularly
in solid-state batteries, have led to higher energy density and
faster charging times, emphasizing the importance of energy
storage innovations.
In electronics, the focus is on applications development for
smart/mobile devices, leveraging technologies like social media,
cloud computing, business analytics, and big data to enhance
individual and organizational connections, reflecting the shift
towards decentralized control and the growing significance of
data-driven decision-making.
Regarding ICT, the trends underscore the dynamic nature of
technology management, emphasizing the adoption of emerging
technologies, data –driven approaches, and strategic
frameworks to drive organizational success and innovation in
the rapidly evolving technological landscape.
Trends of Development
Mechanical Engineering:
Additive Manufacturing (3D Printing): Continues to
revolutionize production processes, enabling rapid
prototyping, customization, and complex geometries.
Industry 4.0 and Smart Manufacturing: Integration of
IoT, AI, and robotics in manufacturing processes for real-
time monitoring, predictive maintenance, and agile
production.
Advanced Materials: Development of lightweight and high-
performance materials for automotive, aerospace, and
renewable energy applications.
Green Technologies: Emphasis on sustainable
manufacturing practices and renewable energy sources to
reduce environmental impact.
Trends of Development
Electrical Engineering:
Renewable Energy Technologies: Rapid advancements in
solar, wind, and battery technologies to address energy
sustainability challenges.
Power Electronics and Electric Vehicles (EVs): Growing
demand for efficient power converters and energy storage
systems to support the transition to electric transportation.
Smart Grids and Energy Management: Integration of IoT
and AI for optimizing energy distribution, improving grid
reliability, and enabling demand-side management.
Wireless Power Transfer (WPT): Research and
development in wireless charging technologies for consumer
electronics and electric vehicles.
Trends of Development
Electronics Engineering:
Internet of Things (IoT): Proliferation of connected devices
and sensors, driving innovation in smart homes, healthcare, and
industrial automation.
5G and Beyond: Deployment of high-speed, low-latency
networks to support bandwidth-intensive applications such as
augmented reality, autonomous vehicles, and remote surgery.
Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning:
Integration of AI algorithms into electronic devices for
predictive analytics, natural language processing, and computer
vision.
Flexible Electronics and Wearables: Advancements in
flexible displays, sensors, and wearable devices for healthcare
monitoring, fitness tracking, and augmented reality
applications.
Trends of Development
Information and Communication Technology (ICT):
Cloud Computing: Adoption of cloud-based services for
scalable storage, computing power, and software-as-a-
service (SaaS) applications.
Edge Computing: Shift towards processing data closer
to the source to reduce latency, enhance security, and
support real-time applications.
Cybersecurity: Focus on enhancing cybersecurity
measures to protect against evolving threats such as
ransomware, phishing attacks, and data breaches.
Blockchain Technology: Exploration of decentralized
ledgers for secure transactions, digital identity
management, and supply chain traceability.
and collaboration
Procuring Technology
Procuring technology involves the process of
strategically acquiring technological (hardware,
software, or cloud services ) solutions or products to
fulfill organization needs or objectives within an
organization or project.
It involves several key steps, including source
identification and criteria for selection. When
identifying sources for technology procurement, it is
crucial to consider various factors such as reliability,
quality, financial stability, capacity, scalability, logistics,
technology and innovation, ethical and environmental
practices, regulatory compliance, communication and
collaboration.
and collaboration
Procuring Technology
Source Identification: This step involves identifying potential
sources from which the technology can be acquired. Sources can
include vendors, manufacturers, distributors, or even open-source
communities. It's essential to consider factors such as reputation,
reliability, expertise, and track record of these sources.
Internal Resources: Check with your IT department or colleagues
if there are existing solutions within the company that could meet
your needs.
Software/Hardware Vendors: Research major technology vendors
that specialize in the type of technology you require.
Industry Publications & Reviews: Look for industry publications
or trusted online review platforms to identify reputable vendors and
their offerings.
Trade Shows & Conferences: Attend industry trade shows or
conferences to network with potential vendors and see technology
demonstrations firsthand.
Procuring Technology
Selection Criteria: Once you have a pool of potential
sources, it's time to evaluate them based on these key
criteria:
Capacity:
It refers to the supplier's ability to meet both current
and future demands,
Does the technology have the processing power,
storage capacity, or user licenses to handle your
current and future needs?
Can it scale up or down as your requirements change?
Analyze the technology's capacity to meet your
requirements such as the system's scalability,
performance, and the volume of data it can handle.
Procuring Technology
Costs and Benefits:
Initial Investment: Assess the upfront costs
associated with acquiring the technology, including
procurement, installation, and training.
Total Cost of Ownership (TCO): Consider the
long-term costs, including maintenance, support,
upgrades, and operational expenses.
ROI and Benefits: Analyze the potential benefits
and returns on investment, such as increased
efficiency, productivity, revenue, and competitive
advantage.
Procuring Technology
Efficiency:
It focuses on selecting suppliers that can deliver
products or services on time, maintain quality
performance, and provide excellent customer service
to optimize the procurement process and operations.
Assess the technology that perform its intended
functions such as speed, reliability, and resource
utilization.
Analyze the technology that streamline your
workflows and improve overall process efficiently,
also look for features that automate tasks or reduce
manual work.
and collaboration
Procuring Technology
Compatibility:
Ensure that the technology is compatible with
your existing IT infrastructure (operating
systems, software applications, Processes and data
formats etc.) to avoid disruptions and maximize
efficiency.
Consider future compatibility if you plan to
integrate the technology with other systems
down the road.
Managing Technology
Managing technology involves creating a conducive
environment by leveraging advanced software solutions
like EPC (Engineering Procurement Construction)
software and spare parts catalog software. These tools
streamline spare parts management by offering features
such as part search, order tracking, and real-time
notifications, enhancing efficiency and customer
satisfaction.
creating an environment conducive to its effective
utilization, optimizing human resources, and ensuring
the availability and reliability of spares, parts, and
maintenance services.
Managing Technology
Creating Proper Ambience:
Environmental factors: Consider temperature, humidity, and
dust control to optimize equipment performance and lifespan.
Ergonomics: Design workspaces that promote user comfort and
minimize fatigue or injuries.
Lighting: Provide appropriate lighting for the task at hand to
reduce eye strain and improve productivity.
Culture of Innovation: Foster a culture that encourages
creativity, experimentation, and continuous improvement to drive
innovation in technology utilization.
Encourage collaboration, knowledge sharing, and open
communication to facilitate the exchange of ideas and best
practices.
Training and Development: Offer training programs and
resources to enhance employees' technical skills, knowledge, and
proficiency in using and managing technological advancements
and industry trends
Managing Technology
Role of Human Resources in Management:
Training and development: Equip staff with the skills and
knowledge to operate, troubleshoot, and maintain
technology effectively.
Recruit and retain skilled professionals with the
expertise and competencies required to manage
and support the organization's technology
infrastructure.