Watching Martin's routine, I recognized that IT's identity has become conditional: If something breaks, we're IT. If a process needs changing, we're IT. If information needs to be accessed, we're IT.

Who are we when nothing breaks, when nothing needs changing, when no information needs to be accessed?

That's a question that needs our attention, lest we become the corporate equivalent of the underloved elevator: always there, always running and never noticed.

Thornton A. May is a longtime industry observer, management consultant and commentator. You can contact him at .