Step 4

Work closer with the org to find out what they need. ERP? I think that's more specific.

Step 3

Control the changes

Step 2

Build a flexible infrastructure

Step 1

Build a reliable network.

System Administration and Information Technology - look at that...

So the names say it all but we don't think about it often. It's about system administration and information technology. Our job is not to make the email servers faster or secure the DMZ, it's to get the organizations we support the information they need in a systematic manner. We focus so strongly on the technology - but think of how many people read a broadcast email versus who reads the sign taped on the lunchroom door.

I think our job is to facilitate and increase the value of the information an organization uses and help it to make sure it's looking at the right things. A lot of this starts with having a reliable network and flexible IT infrastructure. You also need to make sure your data is reliable, secure and accurate. This includes stuff like information security and change control because you can't secure what you don't know about and it's hard to know what's out there if you don't start in a known state and control the changes from there.

It's a lot of work but that's what they are paying you for, not to cut and paste stuff from google into a router.