Technology and Business
Jessica M. Royapen
TEC 401
February 18, 2012
T. Mark Bassett

Technology and Business

Technology has a huge part in the world. Without technology, many things, which we depend on, would not be possible. Technology within the workplace has both some positive and negative effects. This paper will discuss the authors’ personal experience in the workplace along with examples of how management within the company where the author is most familiar with, expects technology to improve business and whether or not the company is meeting or not meeting their business needs. There are many times companies are faced with issues regarding technology being implemented into the work place, unfortunately companies such as the Florida Department of corrections are always faced with budget issues and are not always capable of implementing new and improved technology.
According to the secretaries, message during the 1998-1999 annual report “With almost 27,000 employees, more than 200,000 people in custody or under supervision and a $1.7 billion budget, the Florida Department of Corrections is the largest agency in the state of Florida and the fourth-largest prison system in the nation” (Moore, N.D). In order to keep such an organization running is by making wise decisions during your daily operations that can ultimately get the job done quickly and efficiently. Currently Central Florida Reception Center per policy must keep a daily record of events, called a log, which done by hand written on paper with either a black or blue ink pen. With three shifts and eleven inmate-housing units on duty on a daily basis with each unit having to write a log, the department calls for mass amounts of paper, ink and time that must be paid. If the department installed computers in each dormitory on the compound, it would allow the staff to type all logs on the database and save them to a particular file accessed by whoever requires it. Per policy and procedure, logs are required to be saved for a minimum of 5 years’ time, therefor if all logs were saved to the database now they can be backed up on a small compact disc for 5 years.
Communication is the key to success, there are always interdepartmental memos put out and posted on paper throughout the compound for staff review and acknowledgement. If the department gave all their employees login, access to the computer and email capabilities this would allow staff to receive vital information the needs to be addressed and eliminates paper usage etc. This system can also improve staff briefing during relief. Each shift can make notes on the computer ensuring proper and detailed information pertaining to the operation of the institution on that day.
Another way the department of corrections can utilize technology in their business and save money is by implementing a system for the inmates to utilize their Identification card to scan and receive there tray for meals. Currently the department utilizes staff to monitor the distribution of meals to the inmates, but sometimes there is only one staff member in the chow hall during feeding and hundreds of inmates eating, making it complicated to ensure one tray per inmate, therefore costing the department more money. “In Fiscal Year 2009-10, it cost $19,469 a year or $53.34 a day to feed, clothe, house, educate and provide medical services for an inmate at any state facility” (Florida Department of Corrections, N.D.). By the department investing in such technology as an identification card scanner, which will cost money now, but save in the end ensuring one tray per person.
Surprisingly, theft can be a major issue in the department of corrections and although there is no money on the compound for inmates to steal, they steal other inmate’s identification cards. All monies are deposited directly to an inmate bank account, which inmates use there department issued identification cards to purchase items authorized by the department of corrections from the inmate canteens. This is a reasonable way for the department to incorporate technology into its business but if the department installed a machine that only accepted inmate’s fingerprints in order to access their account information to make purchases might help the department from spending so much money on inmate health care due to fights over stolen monies etc.
Equipment accountability is a major issue that the department of corrections faces on a daily basis. The control room staff is responsible to ensure all equipment assigned is either present or and accountable for on every shift. Items that are expected to be accounted for are thirty-eight revolvers, nine-millimeter handguns, rounds, keys etc. all items, which are sensitive in nature in a correctional setting. Suggestions that can improve the daily operations and functions of equipment accountability is to implement a system that allows staff to check out such equipment, either using a code number specific to that employee or staff identification cards. This system will allow all equipment to be accounted for, thus holding employee accountability of equipment checked out for daily use. This system will save the department money because this will elevates loss of equipment and replacement.
When it comes to improving business, many organizations tend to fall behind, as they do not have the proper and up to date procedures in place. Most of the time the reason for this is the inefficient system that hinders rather than shows the meeting business needs. When using the right technology system towards the business world, any business could benefit from it and result in great benefits towards the company. Some companies lean to see the new technology and the management as a new way to advance their abilities within the work environment, which will add openings to improve their businesses and increase their revenues. “Many more management of technology systems and business consist of the four basic functions, which are planning, organizing, staffing, leading, and controlling” (Regan & O'Connor, 2002). Planning falls under to make sure plans are made for what needs to done. There are many times companies are faced with issues regarding technology being implemented into the work place, unfortunately companies such as the Florida Department of corrections are always faced with budget issues and are not always capable of implementing new and improved technology but maybe the economy will improve therefor alloying the department to implement such changes.

References

Florida Department of Corrections. (N.D.). Frequently Asked Questions. Retrieved from http://www.dc.state.fl.us/oth/faq.html
Moore, M. W. (N.D). Public Safety is Our Number One Mission. Retrieved from http://www.dcstate.fl.us/pub/annual/9899/sec.html
Regan, E. A., & O'Connor, B. N. (2002). End-user information systems: implementing individual and work group technologies. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall.