I've known and worked with some fantastic IT people over the years.
They very best one, Steve Hersh, I first met on an Oracle Consulting engagement where he was the DBA and Architect and I was the primary functional consultant.
FYI - Steve is still doing great work, you can check out his company here.
But in the space I find myself most interested in, technology for collaboration, information sharing, fostering more 'openness' between the organization and it's employees, the organization and it's customers, or the 'extended' enterprise (past employees, future employees, contractors etc.), it seems to me that IT typically offers almost nothing, save more barriers.
Aside - 'single sign on' is not as important as the IT folks say. How many user names and passwords do you have already, one more won't kill you.
IT's approach and methodology to typical, or 'classic' systems development and implementation has little relevance to today's environment.
Want better information sharing and a platform for collaboration? I can set up a wiki in 15 minutes.
Need help on a tricky problem or issue? Send out a Tweet. Your extended network may be able to help you there. Worried about Tweeting sensitive information? Get your group or division on Yammer.
Looking for like minded folks at your organization for a charitable cause or an off hours event? Create a network on Ning, invite people to join and share their interests.
All potentially effective technologies to help support your goals, all needing no IT involvement, approval or possible interference.
To me, HR is in a much stronger position to be the enabler, advocate, and drving force behind the enterprise implementation of these kinds of tools. IT usually reacts in the negative, because it is always easier to take a position of saying 'No' to a new tool or idea.
It is more risky and rewarding to say, 'Yes', to put yourself and your reputation on the line in support of a new process or solution.
I am not always anti-IT, but I think that HR needs to focus on developing and delivering business solutions that truly can be transformative. Most of the IT folks I have come across do not have that as their highest priority.
Who 'owns' HR Technology?
Love the old Farmalls - Flickr - anemergencystop