Computer department

Computer department is term often used to describe unit within organizational structure which deals with information technology. It consist of technicians and experts capable of solving problems with network, connectivity, software, security, risk and data management. Existence of computer department requires high skills and competencies of employees and is crucial for proper functioning of knowledge management system and management information system.

Companies with skillful computer department can meet competitive demands by adjusting IT processes to business processes, creating dependable and cost-proficient frameworks, and foreseeing IT requirements for business benefits superior to anything contenders do. Companies without computer departments can't update business strategies fast enough when market and competition change. Therefore, we can say that computer departments allow companies to adapt business processes to market changes better than its competition. The connection between computer department and business departments is a main research issue that symbolizes the estimation of computer systems impact on companies’ performance. More and more companies are being aware that comprehensive computer science knowledge and ability to transform those knowledge assets into business esteem is crucial for their businesses and can drive real value.

Computer department main responsibilities

Network

The computer department is responsible the installation, configuration and maintenance of computer networks within an organization. Primary goal in this case is to ensure that network runs without going down. Network must be designed to provide a plan and ability to quickly restart the network after the network failure. Networks failures can be very costly for companies, especially for those where manufacturing process is based on the internal or external network. This may cost millions of dollars during entire network failure.

Hardware infrastructure

Hardware infrastructure engineers in computer departments are building and maintaining the hardware items in their companies. They are responsible for personal computers, servers, routers, switches and other devices that need to be set up or fixed.

Software development

The computer department is also responsible for creating business applications for internal use. Employees directly owing this kind of responsibility are software developers. They are implementing business requirements to useful software applications which are used by other departments. Their work is also to maintain the software which is bug fixing, developing new features based on users’ request and updating applications to newest technologies.

Database management

Nearly all companies need to store all kind of business data and knowledge. As the amount of data is growing exponentially, the need for database administrators is growing rapidly. Their work is based on providing full support to database servers, cleaning data, managing failures and providing insights based on variety of company's data .

Examples of Computer department

• Computer technicians: Computer technicians are responsible for installing, diagnosing, repairing, and maintaining computer hardware, software, and peripherals. They often provide technical support to users, configure and troubleshoot network connections and systems, and perform routine maintenance and upgrades.
• Network administrators: Network administrators manage, maintain, and troubleshoot network systems, including local area networks (LANs) and wide area networks (WANs). They are responsible for setting up, configuring, and monitoring network hardware and software, as well as troubleshooting issues when they arise.
• Software engineers: Software engineers design, develop, and maintain computer software and applications. They use programming languages to create, debug, and design software programs, as well as write and test code.
• Information security analysts: Information security analysts protect computer networks, systems, and data from cyber attacks. They monitor networks for security breaches, install software to protect systems, and analyze security protocols.

Advantages of Computer department

Computer departments offer several advantages to the organizations:

• By having a dedicated computer department, organizations can ensure that they have a team of experts and professionals to assist with the installation, maintenance and updating of IT systems, as well as resolving technical issues.
• Professional staff can provide training services to other employees, making sure that everyone is familiar with the latest technologies and trends.
• Security is also enhanced by having a team of experts who can take the necessary steps to protect an organization’s data from potential cyber threats.
• They can also help an organization increase its efficiency and productivity by developing software and applications that are tailored to the organization’s specific needs.
• Companies can save money by having a computer department as they can handle all the technical aspects of the company’s IT infrastructure and systems, instead of outsourcing.

Limitations of Computer department

The Computer department is an integral part of any organization, yet there are several limitations of it that should be considered. These include:

• High cost of maintenance: The cost of regular maintenance of a computer department is quite high, as it requires regular updates to keep it running at an optimal level. This includes both hardware and software upgrades, as well as regular security checks and updates.
• Limited scalability: Computer departments are limited in terms of scalability, as the size of the department and its resources are limited to the size of the organization. As organizations grow, the computer department needs to be expanded to accommodate the new demands of the organization.
• Difficulty in managing complexity: As the complexity of the organization's IT systems increases, the difficulty of managing them also increases. This can lead to mismanagement of resources and can cause problems in the long run.
• Vulnerability to cyberattacks: As the use of technology increases, so does the risk of cyberattacks. This can lead to data loss, financial losses, and other problems. As such, the computer department must be well-equipped and prepared to protect the organization from such threats.

Other approaches related to Computer department

Computer department is a unit within organizational structure which deals with information technology. It requires high skills and competencies of employees and is crucial for proper functioning of knowledge management system and management information system. Other approaches related to Computer department include:

• Collaborative platforms: these platforms allow different departments to work together effectively and can improve communication, coordination and organization.
• Automation of processes: this approach eliminates manual processes and reduces errors, increases efficiency and accuracy.
• Cloud computing: this approach provides access to shared resources, software and information in a secure, reliable and cost-effective way.
• Business intelligence: this approach is used to analyze data and make better decisions.

In conclusion, computer departments require specialized skills and expertise in order to be successful. Other approaches such as collaborative platforms, automation of processes, cloud computing and business intelligence can help organizations to make better use of their IT resources and improve their performance.

Computer department — recommended articles

Information strategy — Technological factors — New technologies in management — Enterprise information system — Business process outsourcing — Information technology management — Knowledge management strategy — Changes in technology — Information system development

References

• Dewett, T., & Jones, G. R. (2001). The role of information technology in the organization: a review, model, and assessment. "Journal of management", 27(3), 313-346.
• G.S. Reddy, R. Srinivasu, M. P. Chander Rao, S. Reddy Rikkula (2010) Data Warehousing, Data Mining, OLAP and OLTP Technologies are essential elements to support decision-making process in industries. "(IJCSE) International Journal on Computer Science and Engineering" Vol. 02, No. 09, 2010, 2865-2873.
• Kim G., Shin B., Kim K. K., Lee G. H. (2011). IT Capabilities, Process-Oriented Dynamic Capabilities, and Firm Financial Performance. "Journal of the association and information systems", Volume 12, Issue 7, p. 487-517, July 2011.
• Tang X., Todo Y. (2013). A Study of Service Desk Setup in Implementing IT Service Management in Enterprises. Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Kanazawa University.

Footnotes

Author: Paulina Baczyńska