Unified Messaging and Collaboration

Over the past six months we implemented the full unified messaging suite from Microsoft. We have instant messaging, live meeting, round table video conferencing, speech access to Outlook, and voice mail in your inbox. Today we are experiencing blizzard conditions and there are a many of my co-workers working remotely.

This technology has changed the way we work and it makes days like today seem like just any other day. I am sitting on my couch using Office Communicator to chat with fellow employees and take calls from vendors and partners. Last night I used speech access to listen to my email messages and respond to senders by sending my comments back in a recorded waive file. Very easy and it made my drive home more productive and the time past very quickly.

This really isn't about technology for the sake of technology. Unified messaging is changing the way we work and it is for the better.

Cool app

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Cloud Computing...Is this something new?

I see a lot of buzz on the web about cloud computing. People ask; Is this the end of IT departments?, Does cloud computing put a stain on IT departments?, Which applications are best suited to the cloud?, etc.

From my perspective, cloud computing has been around for a very long time, albeit by other names. I worked for a bank service company and we provide thousands of banks with all of their business application over a secure network (before the Internet) and eventually over the web. In addition, I worked for BNY Clearing where we provided a brokerage workstation platform that was 100% web-based to hundreds of investment companies in the late 90's and early part of this decade.

I don't think cloud computing is a terribly huge deal for IT departments and I dont think there are too many applications that wont work well in the cloud. IT departments should approach these opportunities just as you would any outsourcing decision. The good news for IT is that there is an ever growing list of service options to consider.

The key IT challenges will center on security, identity management, and compliance issues. From an end-user perspective password management will be huge. Your users wont want to have to remember dozens of passwords.

Connecting the dots...

Strategic planning can be complicated. There are a ton of methods and processes available to map strategies and align initiatives and goals. It is easy to get caught in the details and to focus on internal issues. One thing is for certain, markets are brutally efficient at torpedoing misguided plans.

I always start planning efforts by examining what is happening in the marketplace (e.g. competitors, regulatory environment, customers and consumer behaviors). Once you have a sharper view of marketplace trends and drivers, see how your company aligns to those trends and where it doesn't. That will give you insight into potential strategic initiatives. Over the years, I have seen many firms that get away from market drivers when building plans. It is easy to let this happen. As IT leaders, we can add value to organizations by helping business partners see these connections. Make sure your IT plans connect to your business partners plans, and make sure you understand how your IT plans help your firm respond to market drivers.

If you do this well, you will achieve the sought after "trusted advisor" status in your company.

Read This Every Morning To Get Focused on Whats Important!

"You're time is limited, so don't waste it living someone else's life and don't let the noise of others' opinions drown out your own inner voice. Most important, have the courage to follow your heart and intuition. They somehow already know what you truly want to become."

Steve Jobs - 2005 Stanford Commencement Address

Budgets and Options

As we work on the budget for next fiscal year, I am reminded of the importance of providing options to business partners. This means thinking about the best investment options and weighing them against "good enough" options. You certainly don't want to compromise on choices that require high support costs downstream, even when the choices are less expensive to implement initially.

Often business partners don't understand the nuances between options. It is tempting to explain them in great detail...avoid this if you can, just stick to the basics. High level trade-offs and benefits are all you need. I try and get it down to one page. Much more than that often leads to impatience and misunderstanding. I had a collegue that used to say - "Dont build a rocketship to the moon when all you need is to get around the corner". You get the idea.

When taking a consultative approach and providing options you have a much better chance at building stronger ties with business partners. They will see you as trying to understand and support their business. Taking this type of approach is especially critical when working with business partners that haven't had a lot of exposure to IT. New-to-IT partners often have little exposure to the costs of creating or buying solutions. They also don't think of the downstream support implications of their needs. Be patient, take your time and answer all of their questions.

It is these little things that can make or break a strong partnership.

Reflecting on 9/11

It is hard to believe that 8 years have gone by since 9/11/2001. Watched some of the specials on cable. A colleague and I were scheduled to be in New York and in the trade centers that morning but we changed the plans the prior business day. We were one of the lucky ones.

Hard to think about all of the lost lives and the overwhelming impact that the tragic event has had on so many people. For a short period of time after the event, New Yorkers and the country as a whole were warm and friendly, and upbeat. It seems like that warmth is missing today. The pressures of the economy and the political climate have taken their toll. Still, however, I remain optimistic about the future. This is a great country where anything is possible and I believe the American spirit is still alive and well.

Better days are ahead!