What is technology?

  What is technology? Does it include just hardware, or does it also include software, processes, procedures, theories, models, and data? Does technology have to be useful? If a technology is useful for one enterprise, does that mean it should be equally useful for other enterprises? The world of information technology is fast paced and ever changing- The marketplace is saturated with products designed to solve a host of problems. What, in your view, are some of the most promising solutions out there? Consider the challenges faced by businesses today. How can they be addressed by advances in information technology? Are enterprise-class COTS software applications simple turn-key, or do they have the high risks of failure as in-house developed systems?