What is ITIL? What are its benefits?
ITIL or Information Technology Infrastructure Library is a set of concepts and practices for Information Technology Services Management (ITSM), Information Technology (IT) development and IT Operations (Wikipedia). It is all about IT supporting the business which is not limited to any size, whether the company is big or small. ITIL is also a set of best practices on how to manage IT infrastructures and processes.
LIke in the case of Disney's IT Journey. It described how very effective and useful their ITIL is. Because Disney would like their customers to experience the best moments while they are experiencing the 'world of Disney', the management has come to great lengths in making sure that they make use ITIL best practice. This made the company to be more proactive and continuously looking for an improved level of service. They recognized how important ITIL is because this has provided them the tools and metrics to define the value of IT services.
How? By starting with their staff. At the start of the ITIL process, the staff only know how they do their business, but they are unaware of both ITIL and the management's interest in it. So the first step was to make them aware of the interest.
The next step was for the management to instigate an educational programme from CIO level down. The management trained 250 people in ITIL Foundation. But ITIL doesn't end with education. They needed commitment. So the next step that they did was to select 20 'champions' to work through online training to be in the expert level.
I believe that Disney made use of the power triangle, PPT or People, Process, and Technology, which is a very good framework in analyzing IT infrastructures. This framework shows that an organization cannot survive without all three in place. This case also reflects the importance of contribution from everyone once an IT project has been implemented.
Friday, February 18, 2011
Monday, February 14, 2011
The Ghonim Power
Scientia potentia est...There may have been no known occurence of this phrase made by Sir Francis Bacon in 1597 (Sir Francis Bacon was an English philosopher, an author, and a statesman), but it sure did become considerably widespread. Knowledge is power.
When I read the article concerning the disappearance of Wael Said Abbas Ghonim, a Google executive and an internet activist, I could not help contemplating how powerful networking tools like Facebook has become. Social networks have the ability to connect those who are passionate about sharing what they know and helping others who are involved remain relevant in both the physical and digital worlds. In the past people have only used wired gadgets like telephone or ham radios. But people now use their desktop or laptop computers not just for work but also for entertainment and communication as well.
World wide web has grown so rapidly because part of its popularity is the advent of a new means of communication which is social networking sites. These are proprietary websites that can be used by common people to post personal profiles, pictures, videos, music and messages. Users of social networking sites can invite other "friends" to join their network to be able to view and share personal information on one another (Ezine). So just imagine what Mr. Ghonim did. Through Facebook he was able to spark the massive demonstrations. He even said: "I said one year ago that the internet will change the political scene in Egypt and some friends made fun of me :)." And it really did. And I am pretty sure that for Mr. Ghonim, which ever place or condition he is in right now (and I hope in heaven's name he is still alive!), that what he all did in the internet have been all worth it.
Many people consider these social networking sites as the work of the devil. It can make or break. Remember this Filipina from Dubai who was "lynched" online because of her unsavory comments pertaining to Filipinos devastated by Ondoy? It was as if she was hacked into pieces by the lashing, nasty comments in her Facebook account. And finally she said her account was hacked. But social networking sites are not just used for these kind of things. One can put it into good use by spreading one's advocacy, or posting pictures to their loved ones who live far away, or for job hunting, for business, for getting to know (stalking!) one's crush,or even for emergency.
Therefore one must realize that one can achieve something good or something bad depending on his or her intentions. If you want to hurt people with your information, you have the power; it also holds true when it is the opposite. Because now you can achieve this so easily. Just post a status, or write a blog, or interact thru chat etc. But we are all responsible for our actions. Social networking sites have shaped our world whether we like it or not and it will become an indispensable tool when it's used for good and effective purposes.
When I read the article concerning the disappearance of Wael Said Abbas Ghonim, a Google executive and an internet activist, I could not help contemplating how powerful networking tools like Facebook has become. Social networks have the ability to connect those who are passionate about sharing what they know and helping others who are involved remain relevant in both the physical and digital worlds. In the past people have only used wired gadgets like telephone or ham radios. But people now use their desktop or laptop computers not just for work but also for entertainment and communication as well.
World wide web has grown so rapidly because part of its popularity is the advent of a new means of communication which is social networking sites. These are proprietary websites that can be used by common people to post personal profiles, pictures, videos, music and messages. Users of social networking sites can invite other "friends" to join their network to be able to view and share personal information on one another (Ezine). So just imagine what Mr. Ghonim did. Through Facebook he was able to spark the massive demonstrations. He even said: "I said one year ago that the internet will change the political scene in Egypt and some friends made fun of me :)." And it really did. And I am pretty sure that for Mr. Ghonim, which ever place or condition he is in right now (and I hope in heaven's name he is still alive!), that what he all did in the internet have been all worth it.
Many people consider these social networking sites as the work of the devil. It can make or break. Remember this Filipina from Dubai who was "lynched" online because of her unsavory comments pertaining to Filipinos devastated by Ondoy? It was as if she was hacked into pieces by the lashing, nasty comments in her Facebook account. And finally she said her account was hacked. But social networking sites are not just used for these kind of things. One can put it into good use by spreading one's advocacy, or posting pictures to their loved ones who live far away, or for job hunting, for business, for getting to know (stalking!) one's crush,or even for emergency.
Therefore one must realize that one can achieve something good or something bad depending on his or her intentions. If you want to hurt people with your information, you have the power; it also holds true when it is the opposite. Because now you can achieve this so easily. Just post a status, or write a blog, or interact thru chat etc. But we are all responsible for our actions. Social networking sites have shaped our world whether we like it or not and it will become an indispensable tool when it's used for good and effective purposes.
Friday, February 11, 2011
E-Commerce in The Philippines: How Important It Is
IPphone usage, Android, Web 2.0, Internet, mobile banking, netbooks, b2b, b2c, and so on...what are these? If you are not an IT person (like me!) or even a tech savvy, you may have some ideas about some of these things but you may not realize, until you make further research or even experience Electronic Commerce (better known as the E-Commerce), that there are far more things beyond than knowing how to browse in the internet or using online payment. There are so many other interesting things to learn.
But first, let's define E-Commerce shall we? According to the ever reliable Wikipedia: "E-commerce consists of the buying and selling of products and services over electronic systems such as the Internet and other computer networks". And according to Businesstown, "E-commerce is the pre-eminent buzzword of the online business revolution. It captures the excitement and focus of this fast emerging market. But it is more than a slogan or glib party line. At its core it embodies a concept for doing business online.
So E-Commerce then is doing business or doing transactions like buying and selling online. The concept is all about using the internet to do business better and faster.It is about giving customers controlled access to your computer systems and letting people serve themselves. Also it is about committing your company to a serious online effort and integrating your Web site with the heart of your business to serve your consumers better.
Are we Filipinos doing E-Commerce? An emphatic yes. In fact according to the Global Technology Forum, e-commerce in the Philippines has grown in recent years, very rapidly. There are so many businesses that now operate their own websites or use the Internet for customer and supply-chain transactions. B2B. or business-to-business websites like BayanTrade.com, SourcePilipinas.com are just two of many examples of businesses which offer price updates or other market information to their networks.
Furtheremore, aside from B2B, Business-to-consumer (or B2C) websites have grown as well! Have you done online banking? That's already a B2c transaction. Financial services, bill payments, travel bookings, shopping and cinema reservations online makes everything faster and more convenient. Filipino firms in the mould of eBay (based in the US) are PinoyAuctions.com and Bidshot.com; retail chains Rustan’s and SM Supermarket sell groceries online; MyAyala.com and Divisoria.com operate B2C portals for general merchandise. Powerbooks, Goodwill and PhilbookClub are successful online book retailers in the mould of Amazon.com of the US. LoyolaPlans.com has had success in using the Internet to sell life and non-life insurance. Inq7.net, a venture of the Philippine Daily Inquirer, is a popular sites for news and other information. And e-Burol? Now, that is really something...
There may be a rapid growth but our country still has to face many factors and challenges which limit the growth of e-commerce. Budget? Yes, that's part of it. But there are other things like the low level of personal-computer penetration, relatively few credit-card holders and unreliable distribution systems in the archipelago. Some people may still feel the hesitancy in doing business online. Some government agencies see the use of e-commerce as not a "need" YET, as of the moment. Nevertheless, it will come.
E-commerce in fact is expected to grow in the next 3 to 5 years, driven by rapid rise in the Internet use. Factors driving up Internet use include a highly educated middle-class population and a well-developed consumer culture.
Now what is the role of our government in the development of e-commerce? According to Zorayda Andam (a program coordinator of UNDP-APDIP from Kuala Lumpur) while it is generally agreed that the private sector should take the lead role in the development and use of e-commerce, the government plays an instrumental role in encouraging e-commerce growth through concrete practicable measures such as:
1. Creating a favorable policy environment for e-commerce; and
2. Becoming a leading-edge user of e-commerce and its applications in its operations,
and a provider to citizens of e-government services, to encourage its
mass use.
It is essential that we recognize the impact of e-commerce in our every day lives and in our environment. We ourselves expect that it will grow more intensively. We can also refer to the E-Commerce Law: the Republic Act 8792 wherein it described how e-commerce should be taken seriously. That's how important it is.
Friday, January 28, 2011
The Pinoy IT Manager
Last saturday our IT professor gave our class a case entitled The Pinoy IT Manager. He suggested that after the reading the case we give suggestions or solutions to the problem of the main character and why not post it on a blog :)
The case tells about an experienced Pinoy IT manager, Mr. Emerson Siscar, who has been in the IT industry for 15 years and had worked for various firms both local and abroad. Last year he was assigned to head the newly formed IT Operations Group of a prominent educational institution. The group's manpower count increased to almost 50 and support IT services that the institution relies on.
However, after a few months, the technical staff started to resign one by one which affected the provision of the IT services. The reason for such resignations was the problem in the salary. The HR director may not be able to improve the salary offering because such will cause disruption in the organizational salary scale.
Aside from the problem in the staff, the budget for the OT department was reduced this year, but the IT requirements increased. Mr. Siscar is also required to provide enterprise systems from computer units for the various offices. It seems that Mr. Siscar is being hurdled by these challenges...now what can he possibly do?
The following steps may help Mr. Siscar with his problems in terms of his staff:
First, he may re-assess the root cause of the problem. The staff says it is the salary offer which drives them to resign, but the question is, is it really the only cause? Probably the manager can make a further background check and find if other factors like personal problems, low motivation, other work-related problems, and so on. He should talk to his staff maybe on a one-on-one basis and list all the information. After all a manager is not just a leader but also a motivator.
Second, if let's just say the real reason is indeed a salary problem, he may explain to his staff the the condition and the situation of the whole department relative to the organization's salary scale. He may want to justify the reason why the institution may not be able to provide a salary increase at the moment
Third. After getting all the feedback that he need, Mr. Siscar may review the functional requirements of the department. Together with HR, he should thoroughly prepare a job description and job qualification needed, and study the appropriate salary scale for which Mr. Siscar will make a comparative analysis on, relative to the institution's budget on salary. These information may guide him in scouting for new applicants should he and the HR deparment have plans of hiring new employees.
Fourth,after thorough assessment of the the functional duties needed, jobs must be properly distributed according to the employees' capabilities. This is to avoid unnecessary workload or confusion on their tasks requirements.
Finally, with his vast experience Mr. Siscar may conduct trainings to his staff and let them understand the importance of goal setting and vast changes in the environment especially in technology. This will help all of them do a reality check of what is going in the institution as well as in their surrounding.
I am confident that Mr. Siscar, being a first-rate Pinoy IT manager that he is, will somehow get over these situations and not under. Changes may come from the outside forces, but what is important are the unchanging values instilled in him that will help him make proactive decisions and make appropriate changes happen.
The case tells about an experienced Pinoy IT manager, Mr. Emerson Siscar, who has been in the IT industry for 15 years and had worked for various firms both local and abroad. Last year he was assigned to head the newly formed IT Operations Group of a prominent educational institution. The group's manpower count increased to almost 50 and support IT services that the institution relies on.
However, after a few months, the technical staff started to resign one by one which affected the provision of the IT services. The reason for such resignations was the problem in the salary. The HR director may not be able to improve the salary offering because such will cause disruption in the organizational salary scale.
Aside from the problem in the staff, the budget for the OT department was reduced this year, but the IT requirements increased. Mr. Siscar is also required to provide enterprise systems from computer units for the various offices. It seems that Mr. Siscar is being hurdled by these challenges...now what can he possibly do?
The following steps may help Mr. Siscar with his problems in terms of his staff:
First, he may re-assess the root cause of the problem. The staff says it is the salary offer which drives them to resign, but the question is, is it really the only cause? Probably the manager can make a further background check and find if other factors like personal problems, low motivation, other work-related problems, and so on. He should talk to his staff maybe on a one-on-one basis and list all the information. After all a manager is not just a leader but also a motivator.
Second, if let's just say the real reason is indeed a salary problem, he may explain to his staff the the condition and the situation of the whole department relative to the organization's salary scale. He may want to justify the reason why the institution may not be able to provide a salary increase at the moment
Third. After getting all the feedback that he need, Mr. Siscar may review the functional requirements of the department. Together with HR, he should thoroughly prepare a job description and job qualification needed, and study the appropriate salary scale for which Mr. Siscar will make a comparative analysis on, relative to the institution's budget on salary. These information may guide him in scouting for new applicants should he and the HR deparment have plans of hiring new employees.
Fourth,after thorough assessment of the the functional duties needed, jobs must be properly distributed according to the employees' capabilities. This is to avoid unnecessary workload or confusion on their tasks requirements.
Finally, with his vast experience Mr. Siscar may conduct trainings to his staff and let them understand the importance of goal setting and vast changes in the environment especially in technology. This will help all of them do a reality check of what is going in the institution as well as in their surrounding.
I am confident that Mr. Siscar, being a first-rate Pinoy IT manager that he is, will somehow get over these situations and not under. Changes may come from the outside forces, but what is important are the unchanging values instilled in him that will help him make proactive decisions and make appropriate changes happen.
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