Technology Strategies (Harris Kern's Enterprise Computing Institute) [Hardcover]

Cooper Smith (Author)

Book Description

Series: Harris Kern's Enterprise Computing Institute | Publication Date: October 12, 2001

Suddenly, the business of technology and the technology of business have become one and the same. To succeed, managers, IT administrators, and developers need unprecedented clarity about the role of information technology. They need the long-term perspective that can only come with an in-depth understanding of how we got here, and where we're headed. In Technology Strategies, Cooper Smith provides all that, and more. No other book offers insights as wide-ranging -- or management guidance as useful. In the first half of the book, Cooper Smith offers an in-depth history of the use of information technology in business, showing how computers moved from being an "add-on," like copiers and traditional business equipment, to an integral component of every business process. In Section II, Cooper Smith leverages that knowledge, showing readers how to develop practical strategies and methodologies for managing technology in the future -- both from an individual and organizational perspective. Smith presents new opportunities for leveraging technology for competitive advantage, and also identifies key limitations of information technology -- limitations that can be overcome by new processes and enhancements, as well as limitations that are inherent to computers and organizations themselves.

Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

Coping with technology: long-term perspectives and in-depth insights for every manager.

Suddenly, the business of technology and the technology of business have become one and the same. To succeed, managers, IT administrators, developers, and users need unprecedented clarity about the role of information technology. They need the long-term perspective that can only come with an in-depth understanding of how we got here, and where we're headed. Technology Strategies provides all that, and more. Cooper Smith, former Director of Technology at Nickelodeon Digital Lab and Animation Studios, shares insights that can improve every technology decision you make, professional and personal.

• The roles—and meaning—of today's information technologies
• How to define IT strategies and methodologies that work—one step at a time
• Practical solutions for today's most widespread technology-related challenges and obstacles
• The future of technology: what's coming, how to prepare, and how to exploit tomorrow's best opportunities
• The inherent limits of information technology—and how common sense and smarter processes can help overcome them

In Technology Strategies, you'll follow the arc of technological change, which has transformed computers from trivial add-ons to core elements of every business process, and will lead to even more profound transformations in the cming years. You'll then leverage your knowledge to make the most of technology—today and tomorrow, in your business, in your career, and in your life.

About the Author

COOPER SMITH, former director of technology at Nickelodeon Digital Lab and Animation Studios, recently became the CTO at Education World, a Web site geared toward teachers and students. He holds an engineering degree from Harvard.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 256 pages
• Publisher: Prentice Hall PTR (October 12, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0130279579
• ISBN-13: 978-0130279576
• Product Dimensions: 9.5 x 7.3 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #4,429,929 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4.0 out of 5 stars Good substance but wordy, September 13, 2003

By 

D. W. Scott "OkieDoky" (OK USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Technology Strategies (Harris Kern's Enterprise Computing Institute) (Hardcover)

Epitomy: Wordy, somewhat outdated, but has good observations and advice.

Although published in 2001 (the copyright date in my copy is actually 2002), it appears to me that this book was written a few years earlier, perhaps in 1997-1998, and not brought up to date. I found it to be mostly well thought out and historically informative, citing many examples both of successful and of failed business strategies and practices. In my opinion it gives excellent strategic advice to anyone who is an employee or entreprenure in any kind of business -- i.e. it makes good points that should be useful to most of us. It was interesting to compare the predictions made so long ago with the actual outcomes in some instances.

Nevertheless, I found the text to be not well written/edited: the style is rather rambling (boring) at times. Although it is a small book (especially considering the list price...), still I found myself wishing that it had fewer words.

1 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Refreshing change from the quantitative and methodological, March 26, 2002

By 

Mike Tarrani "www.tarrani.com" (Deltona, FL USA) - See all my reviews
(COMMUNITY FORUM 04)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Technology Strategies (Harris Kern's Enterprise Computing Institute) (Hardcover)

Having read every book in the Enterprise Computing Series I was expecting something quite different. Where all of the other books in the series follow a People-Process-Technology structure, and are filled with methods and techniques, this departs from that formula and does so in a refreshingly fashion.

The author starts with the history of technology, listing many ancient innovations that are still in use today - plow, compass, and the like. He builds from there in the same manner that James Burke's "Connections" program that aired on The Learning Channel shows how ancient discoveries evolve into modern technologies. In fact, James Burke is cited, as are philosophers, historians, and contemporary technologists and business figures. This makes for interesting reading that is presented in lucid, thought-provoking prose.

Throughout the book the author never loses an opportunity to connect the past with the present. He also stays focused on business issues and reinforces key ideas with case studies and his own analysis. The practical aspects of this book are given in Chapters 3, 8 and 9, wherein advice and methods for managing technological change, developing business strategies and integrating technology are discussed in detail. These more practical chapters balance the 'softer' parts of the book and should satisfy both the hard core types who want methods, and the big picture types who want to see the whole fabric of technology. I usually fall into the former category, but found the book so thought provoking and interesting that my initial disappointment when I first thumbed through this book turned into delight as I read it.

If you want a book that provides quantitative methods, and leads to step-by-step through the process of technology management this is not it. However, after you get your fill of processes, procedures and number crunching you will benefit from the deep thoughts and holistic views that are so well presented here.