INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY AND ADMINISTRATIVE MANAGEMENT

Administrative processes are repetitively required to be regularly reviewed and upgraded. A good administrative manager can add value to the company by challenging the efficiency and reliability of procedures that have been running for a period of time whilst striving to look for continuing improvements and identifying and cutting out any outdate practices. With the speed of change in business today the manager has to value the people who are expected to operate often complex systems.

Whilst ever improving software aids all aspects of administration, it has to be remembered it is just a tool for collection and dissemination of data. The information produced needs to be clear and concise to be of value to a manager. Many quality controls have been put in place by companies over recent years and should not just be viewed as just another paper pushing exercise”. If controls are not working then it is up to the company to review why the procedure was implemented in the first place. In the drive for efficiency if the implementation of a new procedure prevents the staff member from actually getting on with the job, impedes production or hampers service output, then obviously rethinking the whole strategy is part of the administrative process.

Recent controversial thinking in some quarters suggests that highly trained freelancers and software may replace administrative managers within organizations. With the increasing use of tele-workers and outsourcing by companies the role of the administrative manager becomes even more necessary than ever before. We therefore have to ensure that all administrative managers are given the essential training required to be able to make the best use of their own technical skills and those of their staff to full potential.

The 1990’s saw most office functions being revolutionized by the improvements in information technology. To keep pace with business changes each individual needs to keep their management skills up to date to ensure their continued employability. Without any doubt, computers have increased efficiency by simplifying operations and further in 21st century we have seen a dramatically increase in web based operation which give the ability for employees to work from remote locations with complete monitoring. Most companies are shifting on web based centralize system which only require few good systems, thus saving much of the cost but placing a much more proficient system. The more committed and happy the staff, the more productive the company.

All companies and organizations are only as good as the people they employ. If an organization has to run “lean and mean” then the selection and recruitment of the right administrative manager, who can make the best use of the tools at his or her disposal, is truly a valuable asset. There will always be a necessity for good administration in any organization; the American government is run by “The Administration”. In the UK there is not a great deal of importance placed on the use of the word “administration”, but which company can be successful without its existence?