Buying Complex IT Systems

Introduction

This is a book about software.

The title of the book talks about computer and IT systems, but regardless of what you buy, if you’re buying information technology, in reality, you are buying software. You may happen to have to buy some hardware to go along with it (laptops, printers, phones, servers, etc.), but all the actual value – the reason why you are shelling out the cash – comes from the software.

Regardless of what sort of computer you are using – an actual laptop, your smartphone, a chip and PIN card reader, the engine control unit in your car, the internet-connected CCTV camera on the front of your house, all of the value – the benefit you derive from having it – comes from the software, and just the software.

This concept ...