Back in 1945 a Naval Officer and mathematician Grace Murray Hopper discovered the first computer ‘bug’. In this particular case the non-functioning equipment was traced to the discovery of a moth that had become caught within the inner workings of the computer.

Back then the computer was a series of switches that were employed to calculate and solve the problems set by the programmers. In this case the moth had become lodged between switches, which were vital in the calculation process.

To this day, unforeseen errors within technology systems are still referred to as ‘bugs’.

Interestingly though ‘bugs’ come in different sizes and guises. It is very easy to blame technology for not behaving as we would want. In most cases it is down to the simplicity of situations that cause the most consternation.

As a systems manager myself I have listened to regular grumblings from staff about computers not working, making the work slow and problematic, crashing when they were finishing a 15 page document and so on.

In every single case there has never been consideration as to how the problem could be used constructively to identify alternative solutions.

Let me explain.

One of the first stories I remember was of a work colleague who was struggling to meet the demands of a member of staff.

They had been using a manual typewriters for years and the company upgraded to an electronic typewriter/word-processors. In this particular case the upgrade happened at apparently the worst time for perhaps one of the most vocal staff members in the company.

This particular lady did not like the new typewriter, it constantly broke and the humming noise it made caused it to be impossible for her to do her work.

Now this particular company was not in the habit of going backwards. So in order to appease this one staff member they offered her one of the company’s first Personal Computers systems to help. They told her it would be faster, she wouldn’t need to use correction paint again, and it will speed up her processes and make life easier.

That morning the computer was delivered and set up, the instruction manual left and a note saying that a trainer would be in contact with her to assist in getting trained to use the machine.

Within 30 minutes my colleague got his first call of the day. The screen was black, the humming noise was back and the foot pedal didn’t work.

One hour later, a senior director of the company had to intervene; the staff member concerned was furious that technology had increased workload, destroyed systems and resulted in complete chaos. When my colleague was asked to make an account of the situation his memo simply stated.

 “…after calming her down and switching on the monitor, I replaced the mouse she had crushed with her foot and ensured that the PC was working correctly before I left. It was only when she had hit me with the manual that I swore and the comments that I am accused of making were solely directed at the manager responsible for making her use equipment for which she obviously ill suited.”

This point goes some way to illustrate that it is people who make technology work or fail.

Since working with many Thanet businesses and helping with technology issues I am now convinced more than ever that most businesses just ‘muddle’ through.

The problem with technology is that it is so diverse and awesome that many people do what they need to with the technology they have got, rather than investigating what is possible and how it could be better employed.

The Management Information System workshops being run in March considers the options and explains how to look at procedures and people first, technology second.

One thing is certain. If people don’t want technology they will stop it somehow. If your staff don’t like your new system, it will not work.

There is nothing more important than getting staff ‘on side’.

This advisory service is now well and truly into its last year, and if anything it has proven to me that the businesses that have taken advantage of the help we offer are at least keen to ensure that technology works for them, rather than the other way around.

We have run many free or heavily subsidised training courses to help people conquer their technophobia, or to improve their existing usage of technology. Many of these courses have been poorly attended, which is a shame when you consider that those who have attended them have gone away with valuable information and in many cases has had a very positive impact on their business.

I only need to look at the feedback forms that we get back to see how successful we have been.

Now with only months left to try and help businesses get better usage out of the technology they have or to explore other options, isn’t now a good time to take advantage of these subsidies and the effort of those who have given time to create them and sign up before they disappear completely.

The next range of workshops are aimed at Management Information Systems and I know that if the manager in the story had attended one of these then the whole problem would never have arisen.

Get the ‘bugs’ out of your systems and sign up to our courses today. Like always they are listed on the back.

On a final note I would like to take the opportunity to thank those people and organisations who have worked very hard with us to try and provide a valuable information service in terms of courses, workshops and seminars for Thanet businesses.

In particular, East Kent Itec, Canterbury Christ Church University College and Thanet College.