Not easy to stay on top of IT

If you haven’t yet figured it out, it has become increasingly difficult to keep up with changes in information technology.
Even if you are a seasoned information technology professional, it is still not easy to keep up with the constant changes that take place in the information technology world on a daily basis and to figure out how those changes can be applied to your company, organization or home, for that matter.
The method, in technology, is very clear as it keeps us always moving to get the next great, just released device and software. Not to mention all the new applications that we can purchase, along with the new device, as seen with smartphones.
It is mind-boggling just how fast the technology changes and the overwhelming amount of information that exists relative to the technology.
So, with the speed of change and the awesome amount of information available, what is a company, organization and private citizen to do?
I talk with business people and private citizens every day about their technology and they all have the same issues and are asking the same question: “How do I know what the best technology is for my business or personal needs, because there is so much and I just don’t understand or have time to try and figure it out?”
My answer is always the same and very clear. It is that there are very simple ways and strategies that we all can utilize to both stay ahead of the technology and understand it as well, hopefully taking away our anxiety and feelings of being overwhelmed.
Let’s face it, the innovations in information technology seem to come out on a daily basis. You get latest smartphone, laptop, PC, GPS unit, iPod and, before you get it home and out of the box, someone is on your television or radio touting the arrival of the next big device that is now on the market and, of course, it’s the next generation of the device you just brought, leaving you with that sinking feeling of, “Man, did I just waste my money; should I take it back?; Ahh!”
So, first take a deep breath, relax and get ready to gain a whole new perspective on this issue that will ease your stress and restore a state of tranquility when it comes to technology and you.
The first step in erasing technology stress is to accept that the technology is always going to move faster than you and I.
When you understand this and accept this, you will be taking the first step to separating yourself from the technology rat race.
Next, it is important to form a network of people that you can associate with and who are hunter-gatherers of technology and tend to be the proverbial geeks of the world.
I have found that groups of these folks are very helpful, as they enjoy investing time in looking at new technology and figuring out how it applies to everyday use and to various circumstances and disciplines.
I belong to several groups and the people are incredible, as they provide me with a constant source of concrete information that they have researched and developed on any information technology device or program currently on the market or that is some to be released onto the market.
We all work for organizations that have IT needs and, depending upon the size of your company, there is probably an IT person either internally or under contract from the outside.
Either way, whoever the IT person or persons are, they can be another good resource that you can use to help advise you on the issue of the technology, or programs that you are interested in using and need to know if they are right for your needs, both now and in the future.
There are several other means that you can use to gain the upper hand on the changing world of information technology and we will look at them next week.

Andino Ward is vice president of marketing and operations of Bardissi Enterprises in Hatfield. Bardissi Enterprises welcomes your questions or comments. Questions you would like answered or topics you would like discussed should be sent to Andino R. Ward at award@bardissi.net. You can also visit www.bardissi.net, or call (215) 853-2266.