IT-Enabled Business Strategy - Essay Example

To ensure that the competitiveness of the firm is well-maintained, the management team needs to create an appropriate level of Business-IT alignment strategies. The following are the primary positive aspects of this alignment for any form of business organization:

1. Source of competitive edge – Any corporation that implements the latest technology in its business processes such as marketing, production, sales, operations, etc. has more chances of enhancing its performance in the respective market. When both IT and business strategies move in the same direction, there is a high probability that the top IT components are used in business operations. Every stakeholder from employees to end-consumer is satisfied with the company and its operations.

2. Value-added offerings – When IT strategy is considered an integral part of the business plan, the core competence of the company can be strategically developed. The businesses can reap the benefits of availing the opportunities of employing up-to-date technology for boosting their performance in the long run. It ensures that the business plan is well-integrated and synchronized by efficiently managing the company’s resources.

3. Communication enhancement and synergy – When there is harmonization in IT and business strategies, everyone has clarity about the course of action that has to be pursued for the successful attainment of the vision. There is even precision about the plan that has to be followed and everyone can make a better and well-informed decision after assessment of available resources.

Role of IT in enhancing business strategy
IT can help a business in availing the opportunities that are unexploited in the market and deliver unlimited business benefits. For instance, IT systems such as SAP or Oracle can help an organization in keeping track of its business operations every second; these systems ensure that every aspect of the company is properly covered and monitored so that its performance becomes efficient and progresses at an accelerating pace.

Likewise, Vendor Managed Inventory (VMI) technology allows the production departments to effectively manage the resources and ensure that the cost component of operations is kept to a minimum level. All IT systems allow companies to achieve their targeted goals such as enhancing business performance, increasing the market share, curtailing the cost amount, and flourishing competitively in the business environment.

Hence, IT systems assist a company in delivering superior quality offerings to the end consumers. It even ensures that the business has the most updated information about the market trends and is also able to maintain its edge in the market by presenting the customers with unique and innovative offerings that are compatible with their current level requirements.

Conclusion
Every organization needs to ensure that it implements that technology within its business operations which will align properly with its business strategy. To gain the advantages of the latest technology and achieve the goals of the business, there should be alignment between IT and business strategies. When each strategy will complement the others, there will be a huge chance that IT supports a corporation in delivering its business purpose and ensuring the successful accomplishment of the business strategy. Read More