Transforming IT to BT

I was working and attending the Forrester IT Forum in Nashville, TN last week.  Well, actually it was held at the Gaylord Opryland Resort.  (Not sure what the great appeal is of this giant aquarium/hotel, but I won't go there.)  One of the highlights of the show for me was watching and listening to Bob Beauchamp, BMC's President and CEO, deliver the Wednesday morning keynote speach.  (Forrester has just published a report which places BMC clearly in the leadership position of the BSM market.) Bob's message in a nutshell is that IT has been like the Cobbler's children.  Businesses have applied technology to make nearly all business processes more efficient and effective and now need to get their own house in order to position IT as a key driver of business value. 

The conference was centered around the concept of moving IT to BT. 

BT =  Business Technology. 

Forrester analsyts urged IT leaders to focus on business results and innovation -- not just on IT maturity. 

According to Forrester: IT Excellence = Maturity + Alignment + Innovation. Business Technology = Pervasive technology use that drives busines results.

IT's role is to smooth the evolution to Business Technology (BT) and to invest in business innovation to accelerate that move.  IT has to leverage its role as a change enabler, but can't do that until they get their own house in order.  Good enough, will no longer be good enough in competitive global markets.  Pervasive technology has to drive positive business results.  I emphasize positive. For example, Friday I tried to change my flight calling American Airlines 800 number.  The voice recognition/interactive service made me laugh.  At times, I was amazed how advanced voice recognition technology has become and then when 'it' didn't understand me a few times I noted my dissatisfaction with this highly automated and impersonal service.  Too much technology can be dehumanizing and bad for business. Finding the right balance will be a key challenge as IT becomes BT.