Resource - What does it mean

I was quite intrigues to read a report on "resources." An oft-repeated word amongst the burgeoning IT firms, resources are associated with people and assets for any firm to generate output in line with its client expectation. Was discussing with a new-joinee in one of the prominent firms based in Chennai about the word resources and he had a lot to say. The gist of it revolved around the sophisticated infrastructure equipped to ensure world-class services to its employees who will in turn generate better-than-competition results for clients. However, what intrigued me was the mention of resources recruited considering the forecast. Well, nothing new in that as companies in India recruit resources in droves and keep them in bench. It just occured to me that resource here means "standing in reserve" or "waiting to be used." Well, somehow that doesn't appeal to me. It pays to be in IT.