Technology in Business

Government use of technology has an impact on millions of people each day across every part of society. Policing. Prisons. International aid. Education. Social welfare. These are just some of the areas where your ideas can make a real difference when you’re part of the Technology in Business (TiB) Fast Stream.

You will become a member of the Government IT Profession, the aim of which is to turn the UK government into one of the very best providers of digital and technology services in the world. You can help lead this change!

As a TiB Fast Streamer, you will undertake a series of intensive placements, and will get to work with technology leaders across the public sector. The placements will be tailored so that you develop skills across a number of different IT areas. The aim is for you to become a technology leader yourself, potentially leading large-scale, IT-enabled business change. Your time on the programme will begin with a short induction event, which will introduce you to the Civil Service and the role and responsibilities of a Fast Streamer. You will also take part in a specially developed Technology Foundation Programme. This will help you develop your understanding of the business drivers in the public sector and the political and social dimensions that drive change.


Technological change refers to the changes in production techniques and production equipment. It could be a change in the machinery used to make a product or the computers to design a product.

More recently it is the use of the computers and information technology (IT) to improve the efficiency and competitiveness of businesses that has led to technological change. Since technological is so rapid, there are important implications for businesses.

A business can be affected by the following technological change:
In production
In provision of services
In the office

Technological change in production

Technological change leads to improved production of goods and services due to:

Computer-aided manufacturing ( CAM) this reduces labour costs, is more accurate and faster and can work at any hour of the day. The computer controls the machinery.

Computer-integrated manufacturing (CIM) here, computers control the whole production line. Best example is in car production where robots undertake much of the work, reducing the need for labour to perform boring, routine tasks.

Computer-aided design (CAD) Computers are used to help design products using computer generated models and 3D drawings. Reduces the need to build physical models to test certain conditions, known as prototypes. This can be expensive to produce just for testing purposes (e.g. aircraft or new cars.

Therefore new production technology can increase the speed of production, improve the quality of the product and reduce costs per unit of production.

Technological change can be seen in the shops and the provision of other services such as banking or repairs.

Electronic point of sale (EPOS) and Electronic Funds Transfer at Point of Sale (EFTPOS) speed up transactions in shops and give vital information for businesses so can sort out their stock levels. EFTPOS means that shoppers can pay for goods and services using credit and debit cards.

Banks can use “hole in the wall” machines to deliver cash or take deposits – therefore remain open all hours.

Repair people can use handheld computers to work out what is wrong with the machinery they are examining.

Technological change in the office helps speed up the movement of information and improves the analysis of information:

Communication is improved through the use of the intranet and Internet. The intranet is an internal system of computer communication while the internet can be used to communicate with customers, suppliers amongst others in the outside world (through websites and email).

Workers can work away from the office using mobile technology such as phones, laptops and modems.

Computers can be used to process, analyse and store vast amounts of data to give the business more quality information.

E-commerce is the ability of businesses to trade with the world via websites. This means that there is a larger market and the business is now open 24 hours a day. This has provided opportunities for businesses that could only trade locally to now expand the size of the market (e.g. Amazon as world wide book and CD sellers). Customers can also shop around for the best deals for new products.

The Internet can also be useful for recruitment purposes. Job vacancies can be advertised and targeted to the right audience, often costing less than print alternatives. E.g. e-teach sends free emails every week detailing teachers posts to subscribers.

Technological change can be very expensive: technology involves the following additional costs:
Purchasing the equipment
Installation
Training staff
Maintenance
Replacement/upgrading

There is legislation associated with the use of technology – e.g. computer screens, noise levels.

In summary technological change can bring the following benefits to a business:
 Reduced running costs
 Improved productivity
 Improved competitiveness
 Lower costs per unit of product
 Improved quality of service (e.g. speed of service)
 Reduced wastage

If the benefits of the above outweigh the costs, then a business should be investing in new technology.

However it may need to consider the social costs of new technology:
Job losses
Motivation of workers – worried about machines taking over their jobs (though extra training to work with machines may provide some increased motivation)
Loss of traditional skills


During your placements, your training will be geared towards helping you understand the business of the organisation you have joined, while also learning the technical skills and management competencies you will need to become a manager in a technology-related role.

You will also receive the formal training needed to be successful in a project environment. This includes practical experience of developing IT-enabled solutions for frontline staff or working on projects to develop new services for the public and business.

To help ensure you get the most out of the experience, you will be appointed a mentor who can help you shape your career development and provide you with ongoing support. Your personal mentor will be able to advise you on learning opportunities and the sort of experience you need to gain to develop a successful career in Government IT.

Another important part of your development will be the opportunity to network with the wider public sector IT professional community, and with operational and policy peers in central government departments.

A career in the TiB Fast Stream does not only mean London. Many challenging opportunities are available in other locations, such as the North of England, the South West, Scotland and Wales, which offer a unique perspective that London-based Fast Streamers do not see.

Even those in London are expected to be mobile and to work wherever their departments need them. Remember too that in order to gain the all-important experience of operational delivery or corporate services, you may well have to work in more than one location. There are large IT departments based across the country, and TiB Fast Streamers are increasingly being deployed to work away from large London headquarters.

What are we looking for?
To apply, you will need to have achieved or be predicted to achieve at least a 2:1 degree or postgraduate degree. As well as having the key competencies we look for in all our Fast Streamers, you will need:
a strong interest in technology (though your degree does not necessarily need to be IT related)
the aptitude to understand and use technology
an appreciation of how technology can change Government’s ways of working and interaction with citizens and businesses