The adoption/endorsement of Information Systems Standards will help ensure that the technology does not become an inhibitor to work.  Specifically, Standards provide the following functions:

• Ensuring the ability to exchange and distribute information among members of a group who have common requirements to access the information.
  
• Minimizing the need for scarce or expensive skills required to maintain the operating capability of information processing resources.
  
• Reducing the complexity of users (or devices) who must communicate with each other.
  
• Minimizing the ongoing cost of maintaining and enhancing applications (including the distribution of new releases of standard software).
  
• Ensuring the pertinence, accuracy, and quality (and therefore the long term costs) of new applications developed or acquired.
• Ensuring the purchase of high-quality, appropriate products that have a reasonable lifespan.
• Reducing the variety of items requiring user training and support.
  
• Ensuring connectivity throughout the organization.