Putting New Technology to Work

 There are both humorous and terrifying accounts of the challenges and tribulations of technology transfer and the installation of new systems and architecture. We may learn from those who have blazed the roads ahead of us, as well as those who have been scorched by the blaze. Prepare your fingers to list the five most important factors to consider while deploying new technology.

Oracle taught us a lot.

"The initial plan called for a three-month transition of the existing IT infrastructure to Oracle. Three years later, we believe we are nearly finished with our Oracle deployment." Is this something you've heard before? If that's the case, you're in good company. Oracle is a strong database management system. It's fast, salable, and has a flexible object-oriented architecture that allows for future expansion and integration. So, where did it all go wrong?

The other aspects of the car were frequently disregarded or ignored in the eagerness to install the latest and greatest engine. You have a strong new engine, but you don't have a steering wheel. It was replaced by a series of point-and-click drop-down boxes that allowed the driver to precisely command the car to turn at a certain angle. Do you wish to turn right or left at a 30 degree, 40 degree, or 90 degree angle? Simply select the relevant item from the drop-down menu to get the precise turn you want. Gone is the previous, inaccurate steering wheel that required direct intervention and direction to progressively alter the turn in process; instead, your mouse controls the precise turning mechanism.

 The problem is that no one explained that the new steering mechanism was offered separately and that programming it would take another six months. Nobody stated that everyone in charge of driving the automobile would have to learn a new steering methodology, lose the ability to make manual modifications along the road, and learn to be more predictive and precise in their turn choices. Adjustments can be made along the route to rectify a turn, if necessary, with more point-and-click menu selections. Employee training, extra time, and design and development expenditures are all offered individually. Oracles, on the other hand, sells the powerful engine, not the steering wheel.

Does that ring a bell with you?

 If the humor sounds familiar, that's because it is. You haven't experienced it yet if it seems silly. One example is the steering wheel. The other findings begin when the steering mechanism is programmed and installed. That powerful engine is equipped with a speedometer and tachometer, allowing you to monitor your performance as well as the engine's RPM. Isn't it amazing to see that you've merely scratched the surface of this great Oracle engine's amazing power? If you want to use other dashboard gadgets, such as turn signals, air conditioning, or a radio, you'll have to build them yourself.

 After all, engine engineers understand that you drive on different roads than everyone else, that you have specific preferences for climate controls, and that you prefer terrestrial or Sirius satellite radio channels. As a result, you'll need to create point-and-click items, menus, and radio buttons to accommodate your unique preferences, as well as any alterations. Someone failed to explain that all of these features and luxuries must be tailored to each individual driver.

The second phase of discovery comes when the common dashboard and control devices have been planned, produced, and implemented. The old knobs, buttons, and dials have been removed. Everything has been replaced by a single device, your mouse, that allows you to control everything. When you first heard about it, it sounded like a fantastic convenience.