Recently I was reminded of the saying, “If the only tool in your toolbox is a hammer, then all of your problems start to look like a nail.” I’m sure we can apply this maxim to many areas of our lives. I’m, of course, going to relate it to information systems, because that is what I do.
Let’s start out by asking the question, “Is there anything wrong with having only one tool?” I suppose if your problems tend to always be nails, then there is really nothing wrong with only having a hammer to solve it. I don’t mean that in a sarcastic way. It is quite probably that many situations do not have a variety of problems, and a single kind of solution works well.
I’d say that many times the opposite is true. For this reason we see different tools for supporting the business such as Business Intelligence, batch processing, internal and external web systems, and even thick clients as the need demands. Each of these implementations use different languages, operating systems, and processes to keep them working smoothly.
What I find really encouraging is to work with others having different skills that the ones I prefer. It helps you to maintain a perspective of how different solutions approach a problem, and understand that different approaches may be more efficient or effective for solving a problem. I don’t have any specific war story to support this perception. However, I have found myself always working with SQL Engines or Microsoft based solutions. Frequently I have had the privilege of integrating systems with other hardware from Mainframes to embedded controllers, with other operating systems, with batch to real time implementations, from data mining to production controlling. I have found these integrations to be some of the most enjoyable projects to be a participant.
So, beware when you begin to feel that the tools you use are the only ones needed for the toolbox. Look for the opportunity to see others use their tools, and learn how their skills can improve you, or the systems you support.
Cheers,
Ben