The author states two objectives of IT as being to add value to the business process and to be business driven. Could he describe how these general aims were used to derive objectives and plans for the case he reports, particularly in relation to the implications of the systems chosen for organizational structure and behaviour? From the programme plan given in Fig. 1 and the cost information given in Table 1 it would appear that the IT plan of the author's company is largely to replace mainframe business systems (e.g. accounting and payroll) by systems performing similar business functions on newer equipment The basic functions of such systems are essential to any business. However, an approach to IT based less on past facilities might well place greater emphasis on the competitive advantages and administrative savings obtainable through the integration of business software with that used for engineering purposes, such as computer-aided design and project management.
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