Introduction
Today, we are, whether we want to or not, immersed in a digital culture, many will wonder, what is digital culture? And well it could be defined as the use of information and communication technologies in our daily activities, as well as in life itself. It is not surprising that it is now common to say; I am going to buy online, when a few years ago, this would have seemed crazy.
Also being able to take a virtual tour of different places in the world, before was simply unimaginable. All these technological achievements lighten today's life, but they also play a fundamental role in all organizations around the globe.
Currently in organizations the use of technologies is fundamental and highly necessary. Whether it is to send an email, hold a video call meeting or simply have reports on time and form that let us see the current status of the company. All this in real time, since delays in information are a thing of the past. Of course, unless some misfortune of nature plays us wrong.
The digital culture in organizations had to undergo several transformations in order to achieve what is currently enjoyed. We must not forget that the microcomputers that we use today, in the principles of computing, were a very distant dream, enough has already happened since the ENIAC, to the daily MacBook Pro that we can acquire in a department store, without the need to be specialists for achieve your operation.
Every modern organization could not be imagined without the help of computer programs that help them improve their processes, solve problems that are generated on a daily basis and generate income for the same company.
Now more than ever time is money, and information is power, having a correct synergy of both, success for companies will be an easy thing to achieve.
History
It is of general importance to know how the use of technologies began in organizations, how it evolved, up to what we currently know.
Having the knowledge of the foundations, past mistakes will never be repeated, because "the man who does not know his history is condemned to repeat it"
All this history began with the famous ENIAC computer, developed at the University of Pennsylvania, although its development was intended for the Second World War, obviously for war purposes, its presentation was given, after this was finished, so it had to be redefined his approach to organizations and research of those times.
First Generation (1946-1958)
The use of computers of this generation was merely for the military and the investigation, they were machines that were too big, too slow, used too much electricity, generated too much heat from their use. They used punch cards.
Second Generation (1958-1964)
Tubes were replaced with transistors that took up less space. Programs were improved, just as their predecessors generated too much heat and were still slow to operate, new programming languages such as Fortran and Cobol were developed. The first flight simulator was created by the US Navy, computers began to be reduced in size.
Third Generation (1964-1971)
They begin to use integrated circuits, which meant a reduction in costs, in turn, that the processing capacity of computers was increased, coupled with this their size could be decreased. This generation, as already mentioned, was the spearhead of integrated circuits.
Fourth Generation (1971-1983)
The integration of electronic components was made, which triggered the emergence of the microprocessor, a single integrated circuit, now it all comes down to the use of the chip's. Microcomputers and supercomputers were developed.
Fifth generation. (1983 to present)
The PC with which you can currently work is developed, computer programs were revolutionized, new programming languages emerged, programming paradigms changed, now it is object-oriented. Computers are getting faster, allowing you to perform better and faster tasks.
It is the generation in which we are currently, it is not known whether we will soon move to a new one or continue for some time to come in this generation that has given so much fruit to computing and above all makes everyday tasks something simple and that anyone with a pinch of basic knowledge you can do them.
Digital Culture In Our Environment
Digital culture is currently revolutionizing the way we behave, how we relate to others, in short, our entire everyday environment.
We can say that digital culture are the uses and customs that we are acquiring when making use of the technology that we have day by day. Being present on social networks changes the way we relate to people, email also transforms our relationships, before we had to send a letter and follow a protocol to buy the stamp, select the appropriate envelope, know the postal codes Finally, many requirements, now with just a “click” we can send any message just by knowing the email address of whoever we want.
Also the use of different computer programs helps to streamline common tasks, improve in various areas.
Taking up social networks allows contact with almost any person, having information immediately, being able to express ourselves in a free way, although sometimes irresponsibly, that is where the ethics that each person or organization may have comes into play.
Today, almost the majority of people are immersed in a digital culture, in a world full of information, which benefits us or also harms us depending on the treatment that may be given to the information that we receive, that we generate or that simply others create for us.
The digital world tends to favor us in all our actions, it also helps the benefit of the entire world, to be better informed, but the responsibility that all this power is extremely enormous, so it is necessary to act cautiously, ethically and vision of the consequences that could be produced by the incorrect use of technologies.
Digital Culture in Organizations
Every organization is indisputable that it makes use of technologies, at present, it is necessary to use computer programs to keep a good control of the actions of every organization.
From a simple spreadsheet to a robust ERP, every company needs the use of technology, being able to transform its information into utilities, reducing time, saving resources and optimizing tasks.
In ancient times, the organization was kept in some log book, it was done manually and it was not bad, obviously for the time it was done. Even the file was physical, and was exposed to incidents of nature.
This is over, now we can take inventory control with any database manager, have the “correspondence” via email, keep track of purchases, sales, loans, etc. With the use of spreadsheets, in a simple way, tailor-made programs for each organization or an ERP that meets the needs.
With these tools, decisions in organizations tend to improve, achieving multiple benefits. And above all, achieve the goal of every company; earn money.
This is roughly an overview of what IT is helping organizations today, but IT is constantly evolving. And we do not know what tomorrow can be developed for the benefit of the various organizations that exist in the world.
IT news
Much has been said about the enormous advantages that technologies represent in various organizations around the world.
Now it is "unpleasant" to say that we continue to manage everything from the office, since we already deal with the term mobile office. This allows us to control, monitor, the daily activities of our office from a mobile device.
With the development of mobile devices a new world was created, now we can count on mobile applications for almost all kinds of tasks. Before it was necessary to have a scanner to digitize an important document, now this has completely changed, with a high or medium gamma smartphone, it is possible to do it in second, without the need for cables or any expert in peripheral devices.
In the same way, it gives us the possibility to send emails from the cell phone, receive them and answer them.
Unfortunately, not all organizations are currently prepared to operate mobile technology, they tend to centralize operations, it may be due to fear, ignorance or simply not wanting to invest in the benefit of the organization. Seeing it as an expense and not as an investment and greater customer attraction.
Ethics with information
The information that is collected due to the use of IT is too much, and in turn of much relevance. From last month's sales report, to bank movements throughout the organization.
If the person who receives and manages all this information is ethical with his work, he will not misuse what he sees. But if she is an unethical person, and without a loyalty to the organization, she could sell it or use it for her benefit, and thus leaving the company in serious trouble, including legal ones.
For this, organizations must have strict control over their information, apply different filters, encrypt their information.
Not only must they worry about who manipulates their valuable information, today, it is almost necessary to beware of intruders in the different computer networks, because they are on the lookout for all the information with which they can profit or simply play a bad joke, for the simple fact of having fun doing it.
Enter here to be very careful when installing internet networks, apply the respective firewalls, to prevent anyone from entering your information network.
Another measure is to encrypt the information that is handled, to be able to use keys, padlocks and to limit who can manipulate said information.
Whether a competitor tries to know the progress of the company, the secrets, the secret formula, or something related to how one works, one is in constant danger.
IT investment
In our country, it is currently believed that investing in IT is acquiring the latest equipment, or as much as possible. It is a mistake that is typical of emerging countries, because investing in IT is not only the team.
Computer software is also an investment, since it is an essential part of daily tasks in any organization.
In turn, investment in web pages, mobile applications, training, is another way to invest in IT.
The "iron" as we can call the computer equipment, constantly loses its value. Although it represents part of the organization, it can be invested less and the savings in the purchase, apply them in training or some tool that also helps the progress of the organization.
CEO / IT
Today in any organization, its CEO must have knowledge of the benefits brought by technologies, must be clear that being up-to-date is vital. If the CEO, neither can or does not want to take over the position of IT, an appointment, person in charge, director, should be named. That it is responsible for everything related to the implementation of IT, its constant evolution, its proper use and above all, yes and no, is viable for the type of organization.
This person in charge must be able to have a voice and vote in the organization, because today what he contributes or thinks is of vital importance.
conclusion
Every modern organization faces various challenges, financial and competitive, but that of IT is perhaps one of the most important.
It cannot be ignored that having IT as an ally is simply unacceptable. For all the daily tasks they are necessary, from keeping daily control, making the pertinent reports, making decisions, being able to make virtual meetings, calls to any part of the world, sending information in seconds, receiving it, etc.
The use of IT is not optional, it is essential, for this it is a requirement to hire IT professionals who allow them to carry out their work, to let them advise us, of course, never neglecting the finances of the organization. They must apply their knowledge and adapt to the budget assigned to them.
The IT department is part of the principals of any modern organization, everything revolves around computer systems.
Although mobile devices are booming, computing in the cloud has also been gaining strength, so these are the new challenges that IT departments must apply their energy to be able to apply in the organizations they represent.
Works cited
- Arias, CI (May 30, 2012). www.gestiopolis.com. Obtained from http://www.gestiopolis.com/administracion-estrategia-2/cultura-digital-y-las-organizaciones.htm Information Technologies. (2014). Best Corporate Practices, 96. Velásquez, JA (June 05, 2012). www.gestiopolis.com. Obtained from http://www.gestiopolis.com/administracion-estrategia-2/cultura-digital-web20-her Herramientas-tecnologicas.htm
