DECBot Tips for Getting the Tools you Need for the Job.

My day job, I work in tech support for a manufacturer of industrial equipment. Besides the industrial controllers, one of the products I support is software that does aggregation and presentation for the data generated by our controllers. Since most of our salesmen are reluctant to discuss software with the customer, I end up roleplaying as the technical sales guy--all the work, no commission, but no quotas. I can't complain about it too loudly.

Companies where I see success, IT is involved in the sale prior to any money passing hands. However, they aren't brought in to decide if my software gets deployed. IT is brought in after the manufacturing engineers and management have buy-in. Once management is on board with the product, IT is brought in to the conversation to hash out requirements, responsibilities and CAPEX/OPEX. IT will need to have a say about the operating cost of the new software, hardware, and support. Likewise, It needs to be clearly defined what is IT responsible to support and what Production/Engineering is responsible to support. If these numbers don't add up or it is unclear how to achieve the goals, then management will abandon the idea. 

One angle you can take is to speak to your manager about his expectations for the work you do. Frame it as "you know this thing you would like me to do? That would be easy work if I had this. Here's what it would take to make it happen and this is the support I would need from IT/Management and the expect one-time and reoccurring costs." Management's conclusion won't always favor you. But, if it can show them how more productive you would be, or better yet, how more productive the company could be, it will have a better chance of success.

Good luck getting the tools you need to do your job!

Best Regards,

DECbot