Democratization of IT also passes by its terminology. Simone Zanotti, Sales & Marketing Director of E4 makes his reflections.

In over a complex year made of great challenges, many companies have realized the real value of the technology, deciding to embrace, albeit sometimes suddenly and not planned, a quick route transformation. The pandemic has further highlighted, even to those still did not believe it, how much innovation is an essential element for the success of every company.

Faced with this evolution, however, a question may arise spontaneously. Technologies are increasingly advanced and evolved to improve operations and productivity of users, with cutting-edge tools, devices and architectures to allow users to work from anywhere, at any time. But users, especially those who do not have a technical background, have really included the value of the company’s technological assets with which they can operate?

Being innovative does not only mean having a performing and cutting-edge infrastructure to allow employees to work at their best, but it also means expanding the value and the impact that technology has on them.

Involving the staff in a broader and more inclusive process, not only for understanding the terminology, but above all for the reasons that led to the adoption and use of a specific tool, can facilitate its correct application and a better experience for users, who will feel more involved, despite holding non-technical roles.

IT departments have always been niche environments, in which specialized people spoke – and often continue to do so – an “elitist” language, composed of terms often incomprehensible not only by non-technical colleagues, but also by those in C-level roles, who, rightly oriented to the business, rather than to the technology, are unable to immerse themselves and get involved completely in the discussions, due to potential misunderstandings. Fog and edge computing, XaaS, V2X are just a few acronyms created and used over the years with the theoretical purpose of simplifying the language, speeding up communications and aligning in an agile way. For technicians these are crystal clear and immediate words. However, given the technological explosion that everyone is facing and sharing, it would be necessary to develop a new way of communicating, which involves more all levels and divisions of a company, to put at ease even those who use those technologies every day, often without knowing their definition or the underlying architecture.

It is undeniable that the path to greater democratization of technology has been in place for years, but today an extra effort from companies is needed. They must further commit themselves to sharing, collaborating and to make their people collaborate, at every level, to accompany them towards a more effective communication and interactions between departments. An optimization of activities that guarantees greater well-being and satisfaction of people, making them part to the digital transformation, both corporate and personal.

To do this, it is not enough by IT professionals provide new tools to employees. IT department will need to teach users how to benefit from advances in technology by offering approaches and simplified and intuitive languages ​​that allow to really understand the path in place, be comfortable with technology and follow its evolution with enthusiasm.

The IT world has always had the aura of innovative context and projected towards the future, but if the communicative distance towards the users remains, the outcome can only be self-isolation.

Are we truly sure that IT is the most innovative sector? To date, self-provisioning by users who log in to a cloud platform is not yet so widespread within companies, as well as the possibility for users to perform a whole independently process of creating services or infrastructures.

In what other sectors has this been happening for years?

When we stop to refuel the car, we often choose self-service. A very easy and cheap operation. None of us need to know the whole process to fill up hydrocarbon refining process, we simply use the tank by ourselves. Gas stations are not famous for innovation, but communicate it better than many IT departments.

The same goes for grocery shopping and supermarkets: roles and activities that were previously of people working at the cash, are now normally delegated to the customers themselves, who can choose the articles, scan them, see in real time the total cost and finally pay at the automatic cash machines, avoiding the queue e without emptying the cart. Easy, in fact, it works.

That’s why the IT world should start talking simple. It would continue to be as innovative as today – if not more- also informing those who are outside of it and increasing its benefits.